wfn.org | 'United Methodist Reporter' parent organization becomes

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

autonomous

July 2, 1998   Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn. 10-21-71B{391}

By Daniel R. Gangler*

DALLAS (UMNS) --  Ownership of UMR Communications, parent organization
of The United Methodist Reporter, has been transferred to an autonomous
non-profit organization by vote of its owners, the seven United
Methodist annual (regional) conferences of Texas and New Mexico.

Approving the transfer at their sessions this spring were the Texas,
Southwest Texas, North Texas, Central Texas, Northwest Texas and New
Mexico conferences.

According to the Rev. Ronald P. Patterson, editor and publisher,  "UMR
will now be in a covenant relationship with these seven annual
conferences just as other church-related homes, hospitals and
institutions, effective July 1, 1998."

The transfer was made at the recommendation of a special task force of
the Communications Council of Texas and New Mexico, a media body owned
jointly by the seven annual conferences since the 1950s.

Previously the Communications Council included a television division, a
newspaper division and a public relations division. The television
division was closed more than a decade ago and the public relations
division was closed in 1995.

UMR Communications' 20-member board of directors affirmed the task
force's recommendation to transfer ownership when it met in Dallas in
April.

According to Patterson, the board believes the change will enhance
services to existing customers, present a stronger independent stance in
news reporting and editorial content, and allow UMR to be more effective
in ecumenical relations with other denominations.

A covenant statement specifying the details of the new relationship will
be considered by the board when it meets next month in Dallas.

In a letter to bishops, council directors, editors and pastors of the
170 local church and 30 conference editions, which are published by UMR
Communications, Patterson  said the day-to-day operations will remain
the same although the legal ownership has changed.

In addition to The United Methodist Reporter, UMR Communications
publishes national, local and regional editions of the weekly National
Christian Reporter newspaper; the biweekly United Methodist Review; an
Internet news publication, Reporter Interactive; and several independent
church newspapers.

UMR Communications also prepares publications for national and regional
units of the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
and for United Methodist Communications.

UMR Communications' services also include design and maintenance of Web
sites for churches and other non-profit organizations and training
through the Institute for Church Communications.

UMR Communications traces its beginning to 1847 when the Rev. Robert B.
Wells, a Methodist minister, established  The Texas Christian Advocate
and Brenham Advertiser as a private venture.
#  #  #

*Gangler is an associate editor of The United Methodist Reporter.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/