wfn.org | Ohio Calls Intentional Interim Regional Minister

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: August 12, 2002
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Jim Bane, Associate Regional Minister
Phone: (404) 458-5112
E-mail: news@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

Ohio Calls Intentional Interim Regional Minister

ELYRIA, Ohio, August 12, 2002 -- The Rev. Suzanne J. Webb
has been called by the regional board of directors to serve
as the intentional interim regional minister of the
Christian Church in Ohio, beginning Sept. 9.  She will
succeed the Rev. Howard M. Ratcliff who retires August 31,
after serving in the position since 1980.

The board met in a special session on July 24 at First
Christian Church, Mansfield. The candidate was introduced
by search committee chair, the Rev. Janet A. Long, senior
pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church, Elyria. 
Following a question-and-answer period, the board voted
unanimously to call Webb to the position.

Webb is presently serving as the intentional interim senior
minister of Park Avenue Christian Church, New York City. 
Her work with that congregation has been to help rebuild
the congregation after the loss of ministerial leadership,
create a financial strategy for the future with strong
stewardship education, and define faith formation through
broad-based Christian education.  Immediately prior to Park
Avenue, she served as Intentional interim minister of
Blaine (Mich.) Christian Church. Through a nearly
decade-long ministry with First Christian Church,
Carbondale, Ill., Webb led that congregation through a $1
million building project. She also served as an associate
minister of First Congregational Church (UCC) of Kalamazoo,
Mich.

Having grown up in Indianapolis, Ind., Webb studied at
Christian Theological Seminary and Candler School of
Theology and received a doctor of education degree in
Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.
Ordination within the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) was received through the Michigan Region. Her
intentional interim training occurred in 1999.

Throughout her 30 years of ministry, Webb has been heavily
involved in the ecumenical movement. She has served as a
board officer of the Council on Christian Unity, and as a
Disciples' delegate to the executive committee of the
Consultation on Church Union.  She is now the vice
moderator of the Coordinating Council of Churches Uniting
in Christ.  Representing Disciples in ecumenical
gatherings, she was part of delegations to the World
Council of Churches' 8th Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe and
the 20th anniversary of the International Dialogue with the
Roman Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. She studied at the
Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in
Bossey, Switzerland.

Webb has one son, Christopher, who is an actor and member
of the Denver Center Theater Company.  He is pursuing a
Master in Fine Arts degree from the National Theater
Conservatory. 

-- End --

02-76

	
Ohio Regional Office
Contact: Jim Bane, Associate Regional Minister
(404) 458-5112

Note to Editor's: 
a photo of the Rev. Suzanne J. Webb can be downloaded from
DNS website at:
http://www.disciples.org/dns/Releases2002/0276pic.htm