wfn.org | Two UMCom officials announce retirement plans

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

May 25, 1999 News media contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71BP{292}

NOTE: A photograph of the Rev. Judy Weidman is available with this story.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.(UMNS) - Two top officials at United Methodist
Communications (UMCom) have announced their retirements in 2000.

The Rev. Judy Weidman, chief executive since 1994, will take early
retirement in June 2000. She is successfully recovering from a
cancer-related operation and told agency employees at a May 24 meeting that
her health situation "makes me eager to claim some leisure (time) as soon as
I can." 

Weidman is an ordained United Methodist pastor and has served various levels
across the church for 34 years. Before joining UMCom, she served as the
executive director of Religion News Service for 10 years.
 
During her tenure at UMCom, Weidman initiated programs to bring higher
public visibility of the United Methodist Church and to inspire more people
to increase their monetary pledges to the church. An emphasis currently
under way to help increase the denomination's visibility is an "Igniting
Ministry" campaign. This effort, which will go before the 2000 General
Conference in May, seeks to fund the placement of television spots about the
image of the United Methodist Church across the country.

Retiring in September 2000 is Peggy West, the staff executive who heads the
production and distribution division.  

The 24-year employee played a key role in the construction of the current
United Methodist Communications headquarters building and in the
establishment of InfoServ, the toll-free telephone service that offers
answers to questions about the United Methodist Church.

West also spearheaded the division's move from film to video and for 15
years has been the point person in the production of two video series per
year for churches.

"I'm going to refocus and do some things I have not had time to do during
these wonderful years at UMCom," West said. She wants to work with the
community on issues related to justice, and to participate in direct service
and mentoring projects. 

A search firm will be hired this summer to find a person to fill Weidman's
position. The search will be announced in the fall and it is anticipated
that a successor will be named in March. That person would join the UMCom
staff on July 1, 2000.

The new general secretary and the churchwide Commission on Communications,
the governing body for UMCom, will hire West's replacement. At West's
departure, an interim executive will be appointed, until a successor is
named.
 
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United Methodist News Service
http://www.umc.org/umns/
newsdesk@umcom.umc.org
(615)742-5472