wfn.org | Re: United Methodist Daily News note 3201

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3250 notes).

Note 3246 by UMNS on Oct. 22, 1996 at 15:33 Eastern (2763 characters).

CONTACTProduced by United Methodist News Service, official news
agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville,
Tenn., New York, and Washington.

: Thomas S. McAnally                          532(10-21-71B){3246}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Oct. 22, 1996

NOTE:  This story may be used as  a sidebar to UMNS story #531
{3246}.

Foundation organizes to support
United Methodist Communications

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Faced with a revolution in
communications at a time when church funding for national programs
is declining, United Methodist Communications (UMCom) has created
a new foundation to help support its work.
     The Rev. F. Thomas Trotter, former staff executive of the
churchwide Board of Higher Education and Ministry and retired
president of Alaska Pacific University, was elected president of
the foundation as members met here Oct. 19 for their
organizational meeting.  As president, Trotter will serve as
consultant for the new group.
     Pointing to the "extraordinary" costs of new technology,
Trotter said it has become necessary for the church to identify
people for whom communications is a personal priority and
interest.
     "This is an opportunity for United Methodists and others who
believe in the power of communication in furthering the work of
the church in the 21st Century," he said.
     The stated purpose of the foundation is to "be involved in
research and development of appropriate programs for the church
and to propose technological innovation that will facilitate the
church's mission."  People will be enlisted to provide financial
and technical support for the various programs of UMCom.
     At their first meeting, members viewed the pilot for a weekly
television news program being developed by UMCom, and discussed
new ways for the church to communicate internally and to the
larger society.  One possibility explored with obvious enthusiasm
was "wiring" the church for more effective communications,
particularly with a younger audience outside the church.
     At-large membership on the foundation are: Martha C.(Twick)
Morrison, Vicksburg, Miss.; Irby Simpkins Jr., Nashville, Tenn.;
Phyllis Dunlap, Milford, Neb.; Fred Trevino, Paradise Valley,
Ariz.; William F. Fore, Estes Park, Colo.; Eleanor Grant Curry,
Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; William K. Quick, Detroit, Mich.
      Other members come from the staff and governing body of
United Methodist Communications: Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader,
Sun Prairie, Wis.; Bishop Joe Wilson, Fort Worth, Texas; Robert
Edgar, Claremont, Calif.; Margaret Novak, Chester, Mont.; Elijah
Stansell, Beaumont, Texas; Roela Rivera, Judy Weidman and Sherri
Thiel of Nashville.
                              #  #  #

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