January 8, 2007

Episcopal Communicators Robert Brown, Gordon Thomas, and Anne McConney have made transitions in their work and Eugene H. Willard was recently honored by his diocese.

Brown, communications director for the Diocese of Missouri and editor of Interim, completed his tenure on December 22, 2006. Recommendations from a consulting firm hired to audit diocesan communications resulted in the discontinuance of Interim. Brown's successor, Sandra Coburn, whose career in communications spans more than 20 years, joined the diocese on December 18.

Thomas announced his resignation from the position of director of communication for the Diocese of Minnesota, effective December 20, 2006. He said it has been a "privilege to serve the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Minnesota over the past six years."

"I am grateful to the many colleagues, associates and friends with whom I've worked throughout this diocese and the national Episcopal Church for what has been a rich and rewarding experience," he said.

McConney, editor of Ruach, the publication of the Episcopal Women's Caucus, also resigned but said she will continue to write.

Willard, editor of the Diocese of Western North Carolina newspaper, The Highland Episcopalian, was among three recipients of the diocese's Distinguished Communicant Award 2006. This award is the highest honor given annually to a lay person from the diocese who has shown exceptional leadership and who has made a unique witness to the Gospel not only in their parish but also on the diocesan level over a number of years.

Episcopal News Service