wfn.org | Notes about people

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

5 Oct 95

95358                   Notes about People 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
     The Rev. Dan Rift has been named associate director for global
service  and witness in the Worldwide Ministries Division in Louisville. 
He  succeeds Gwen Crawley, who retired from the position in July. 
     Rift has been coordinator for Presbyterian World Service.  His new 
responsibilities include oversight of Presbyterian World Service, the 
Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Self-Development of People program,
the  Jinishian Memorial Program, global education and leadership
development,  international evangelism and international health ministries. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     The Rev. Henry F.J. "Harry" Daniel, a former member of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national staff, died Oct. 2 at his home in 
Madras, India. 
     Daniel, the first Indian priest to serve as Presbyter of the Church of 
England's St. Mark's Cathedral in Bangaloreordained as a priest by the 
Church of England, was an early leader of the World Student Christian 
Movement.  A longtime advocate for the poor, he was also instrumental
in  the establishment of the Urban Rural Mission program of the World
Council  of Churches. 
     In 1982, Daniel accepted a position in the Office of Ecumenical 
Relations of the former Presbyterian Church in the United States.  After 
Presbyterian reunion, Daniel's job title became associate for international 
justice in the former Social Justice and Peacemaking Ministry Unit -- a 
position he held until his retirement and return to India in 1991. 
     Harry Daniel is survived by his wife, Kiran; a daughter, Lakshmi; and 
a son, Jairaj.  An ecumenical service of praise and thanksgiving was
held  in Madras on Oct. 3.  His ashes will be buried in St. Mark's
Cathedral. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     The Presbyterian News Service failed to report in July the election of 
the Rev. Susan M. Ryder as chair of the Advisory Committee on Social 
Witness Policy (ACSWP).  We apologize to both Ryder and the committee
for  the oversight. 
     A native of Anaheim, Calif., Ryder graduated from Princeton 
Theological Seminary.  She is currently chaplain at Siouxland Regional 
Cancer Center in Sioux City, Iowa, and is in her sixth and final year as a 
member of ACSWP.  She is also vice moderator of Prospect Hill
Presbytery. 
 
                              # # # 
 
     Lila Bonner Miller, 95, a physician, psychiatrist, educator and 
Presbyterian social activist, died Sept. 25 in Atlanta. 
     After getting her medical degree from the University of Virginia in 
1924, Miller practiced medicine until three years after her marriage to the 
Rev. Patrick D. Miller in 1931.  Returning to Atlanta in 1949, she resumed 
her medical practice.  Noticing that her patients had as many emotional 
problems as physical ones, she went to Emory University School of
Medicine  in 1960 at the age of 59 for a residency in psychiatry. 
     Miller was especially concerned that mentally ill people were being 
released from hospitals and left homeless.  As a result, she helped 
organize the Community Fellowship of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in 
Atlanta, a program for the homeless mentally ill. 
     Lila Bonner Miller is survived by three children: Mary Bonner Miller 
Brueggemann of Decatur, Ga.; Patrick D. Miller of Princeton, N.J.; and 
Belle Miller McMaster of Atlanta; seven grandchildren; and four 
great-grandchildren.  A memorial service was held Oct. 5 at Druid Hills 
Presbyterian Church. 

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