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GA06022
Outlook Dinner
Executive director nominee Valentine says she feels a strong call
by Bill Lancaster
BIRMINGHAM, June 16 — Linda Bryant Valentine, the Chicago elder nominated for executive director of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), told those attending Thursday evening's Presbyterian Outlook dinner at the 217th General Assembly that she felt a strong call to the position.
"While I was doing my Jonah thing — looking up Joppa on MapQuest so I could buy my ticket to Tarshish — I was encouraged to speak to (Outlook editor) Jack Haberer," Valentine said. "He was honest and forthright, and like so many others in this room, gave me a good dose of reality about the challenges facing the Presbyterian Church and the General Assembly Council — but most importantly, a tremendous sense of hope and opportunity."
"I thank Jack for his wise counsel, and I thank him for making me a cover girl. I mean, Wow! When I first saw my face on the front cover (of the Outlook) in our pastor's study, I quickly turned it over.
"I live my life with the words of Micah, which are, 'What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?' So I did a lot of praying about the possibilities of being a cover girl."
Valentine drew a round of laughter by adding, "But my friend (McCormick Seminary president) Cynthia Campbell was quick to say, 'Don't worry. It dies down right after General Assembly, unless something really erupts.' "
Reflecting on Colorado businessman Stanley W. Anderson's $150 million donation to the PC(USA) for church growth, Valentine said, "What a stunning gift. … I sense a vibrant and connected church."
She added that this is a pivotal time for the church, and that she prays for the wisdom and stamina to do the work ahead.
Presbyterian Outlook Foundation chair William Stacy Johnson presented the foundation's 2006 Ernest Trice Thompson Award to O. Benjamin Sparks III. He has been the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA, since 1982 and the independent magazine's interim pastor for a year and a half, until Haberer was called last fall. The resolution commended Sparks as a preacher, scholar, prophet and caring pastor.
Sparks said he was "moved for being counted in this company of people." He thanked the board for the honor and "for inviting me to be interim editor. That was a great ride and I really enjoyed that time."
As is tradition with the Outlook dinner, the nominees for moderator of the General Assembly — Deborah Block, Kerry Carson, Joan Gray and Tim Halverson — spoke to the gathering just prior to Thursday evening's moderator election, which Gray won on the third ballot.
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