NCC fills two more staff positions
New York, December 17, 2007 - The National Council of Churches has appointed two members of its current staff to fill newly created positions in the NCC's new staffing structure.
Philip E. Jenks, an American Baptist layman, has been named Media Relations Specialist effective January 1, 2008.
The Rev. Marcel A. Welty, a Presbyterian clergyman, has been named Database Administrator, also effective January 1.
The assignments were among seven new positions created in September when the NCC Governing Board made sharp reductions in programming to bring the budget in line with projected income. Fourteen staff jobs were eliminated, but current staff were given an opportunity to apply for the new posts.
Jenks has been the NCC's Director of Interpretation since April 2005. Earlier, he was Communications Officer for the U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches in New York, and a police and political reporter for a daily newspaper in Pottstown, Pa. For twenty years, he was the chief communicator and editor for American Baptist Churches in the USA.
Welty has most recently served as the NCC's Associate for Research and Planning and Associate to the Editor of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. He came to the Council in the late 1990s as Associate for Urban Ministry where he coordinated a church-based health education and public policy advocacy program. As a part of that work, he designed and managed an extensive database of New York area community leaders.
Other NCC staff recently named to fill new positions January 1 are:
Clare J. Chapman was elected Chief Operating Officer of the Council. Currently, Chapman is Acting General Secretary of the NCC and was formerly Deputy General Secretary for Administration and Finance.
Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, now Associate General Secretary for International Affairs and Peace, was elected Senior Program Director for Faith & Order and Interfaith Relations.
The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, now Deputy General Secretary for Research and Planning, was named Director of Organizational Development.
Wesley M. (Pat) Pattillo, now Associate General Secretary for Communication, was elected Senior Program Director for Justice, Advocacy and Communication.
The Rev. Garland F. Pierce was elected Senior Program Director for Education and Leadership Ministries. Pierce had similar responsibilities as Associate General Secretary.
"We are delighted that these dedicated and experienced colleagues will remain part of the NCC," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, newly installed NCC General Secretary.
"At the same time, we are saddened to lose other staff members whose jobs were eliminated," Kinnamon said. "But I have no doubt that their skills and gifts will make them attractive candidates for positions elsewhere and they depart with our prayers and best wishes."
Kinnamon said it is obvious that the reduced number of staff will not be able to provide the same level of programming and service as in the past. "We'll be spending the first few months of the new year living into the new structure to determine how much we can do without overwhelming the staff," he said.
"In the long run, however, we are convinced that a reorganization to bring revenues into line with expenses is good stewardship and will enhance the vitality and energy of the Council." _____ The NCC is the ecumenical voice of America's Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These 35 communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states.
For the latest news about the National Council of Churches, see www.councilofchurches.org
For more information, contact Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, nccnews@ncccusa.org