A native of Greenville, South Carolina, LeDayne is a life-long Carolinian (having lived in Greenville, Durham, Rock Hill and now Charlotte.) She is a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, and it was there that her commitment to issues of peace and justice began. She received a seminary degree in 1993 from the Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and was ordained there in Durham at Watts Street Baptist Church.

After serving for five and a half years as the Minister of Youth at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, LeDayne came to the BPFNA in July of 1998. She served the BPFNA as Managing Director from 1998 to 2002. In January 2003, she stepped down from that position and took on the much smaller role of Summer Conference Coordinator in order to spend more time with her young daughter, Kate.

In September of 2006, when Kate began school, LeDayne became the BPFNA's Program Coordinator. Her main responsibilities are coordinating BPFNA's Summer Conference, supporting BPFNA Partner Congregations in their work for the things that make for peace, and overseeing BPFNA's relationship to Churches Supporting Churches as we work together for the just rebuilding of New Orleans following the utter destruction of Hurricane Katrina. As Program Coordinator, LeDayne serves as part of a leadership team that includes Networking/Development Coordinator Bob Spinks and Operations Coordinator Evelyn Hanneman.

LeDayne is married to Tom Polaski, a professor of mathematics at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. They are active members of Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte where they teach Senior High Youth Sunday School.

LeDayne enjoys hanging out with family and friends, doing the daily crossword puzzle, reading, cooking, hiking, and running. 

Education

LeDayne has a B.A. in psychology from Furman University and a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School.

Function At BPFNA

LeDayne coordinates BPFNA program efforts, including the annual BPFNA Summer Conference, the BPFNA Partner Congregation program, and the BPFNA relationship with Churches Supporting Churches. 

Major Areas of Interest

For obvious reasons, LeDayne has a strong interest in equality and opportunity for women in ministry. She also has a passionate concern for the full acceptance and inclusion of lesbian and gay people in church and society. She is committed to the local church and excited about the ways that churches can and do work for peace grounded in justice.

Please call or email her to inquire about speaking or preaching engagements. Contact LeDayne for more details and information.

►Email LeDayne from our contact page.