wfn.org | Ramos' Retirement Prompts Staff Changes in NMD

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

20-January-2000 
00026 
 
    Ramos' Retirement Prompts Staff Changes in NMD 
 
    by Evan Silverstein 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -The Rev. Jovelino Ramos'  recent departure has resulted in 
new roles for some high-ranking staff of the National Ministries Division 
(NMD) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 
 
    The division has named a new associate director for Social Justice 
Ministries and welcomed back a former Urban Concerns coordinator to the 
same post. 
 
    "These changes, encompassing several program areas, reflect the dynamic 
nature of our organization and its continuing attempt to meet the 
ever-changing needs of the Presbyterian Church in appropriate ways," the 
Rev. Curtis Kearns, director of NMD, said in a recent memo. 
 
    As one of three ministry divisions of the General Assembly Council, NMD 
is responsible for such areas as social justice, social welfare, higher 
education, racial/ethnic issues and evangelism and church development. 
 
    With the moves, effective earlier this month: 
 
    * The Rev. Vernon Broyles was promoted to associate director of Social 
Justice Ministries, a position formerly held by Ramos, who maintained 
responsibilities for both Racial/Ethnic Ministries and Social Justice 
Ministries before retiring at the end of 1999. 
 
    "Vernon is eminently qualified for this position," Kearns said, "having 
demonstrated for many years, both personally and professionally, a true 
appreciation for the Christian's commitment to social justice." 
 
    Broyles also will continue to serve in his current post as associate 
for Corporate Witness. 
 
    * The Rev. Phil Tom, pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in 
Indianapolis, was reassigned to the post of coordinator for Urban Concerns, 
a position recently vacated by the Rev. Trey Hammond, who left to accept a 
call as pastor at La Mesa Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, N.M. Tom 
preceded Hammond in the urban concerns job. 
 
    Tom, who will serve part-time, is participating in a trial concept of 
having an Urban Concerns coordinator who serves as both practitioner and 
staff administrator, Kearns said. 
 
    "Actively supporting urban ministries requires mastery of (a) ... 
broadening array of skills and knowledge," Kearns said, "each of which is 
difficult to learn if one is not on the scene. This trial attempts to test 
the feasibility of combining `doing' and `supporting' in a single 
application." 
 
    And that's just fine with Tom, who told the Presbyterian News Service: 
"I look to continue, on behalf of the National Ministries Division, to 
provide support and resources to urban practitioners, urban presbyteries, 
urban congregations. I think the National Ministries Division has always 
made a major commitment to support our urban congregations." 
 
    * The Rev. Helen Locklear, associate for Social Welfare Organizations 
and executive director of the Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare 
Association, has been promoted to associate director of Racial Ethnic 
Ministries. She served as coordinator for Racial Justice Leadership 
Development for six years before moving to Social Welfare Ministries in 
1997. 
 
    "She brings an impressive combination of religious and 
business-management credentials to the position," Kearns said. 
 
    * The Rev. Bill Peterson was asked to continue serving as associate 
director of the denomination's Churchwide Personnel Services until a search 
committee finds a replacement. Peterson, who recently retired, has 
consented to stay for three additional months. 

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