Episcopal Press and News

News Briefs

Episcopal News Service. June 6, 2001 [2001-144]

Delegation of bishops' wives postpone trip to Middle East

(ENS) Instead of boarding a plane Friday, June 8, with 13 bishops' wives for a trip to the troubled Holy Land, Phoebe Griswold will be standing at the Isaiah Wall across the street from the United Nations, in New York City, in a vigil sponsored by Women in Black. The international organization of Palestinian and Jewish women, just nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, is part of a grassroots peace movement that has been meeting every Friday since 1988 during the previous Intifada "uprising"), demanding immediate Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. They are joining other peace groups calling for the vigil to mark the 34th anniversary of the occupation.

In a letter to those who were planning the trip and the women who were participating, Griswold expressed her "great disappointment" but said that she was not prepared to lead the group into "a situation that seemed more and more dangerous each day... The random violence seemed to increase. I feared more than ever for the lives of the spouses."

Yet she said that she still believed strongly in the mission of the trip, to visit with the Anglican community, visit the sites of the Jerusalem 2000 campaign, and to "meet with and learn from the courageous women who are making peace at the grassroots in your communities. We are still coming," she promised. "We will be with you but at a time when I can take the responsibility with more confidence in the safety of this trip."

Griswold is also exploring the idea of a "virtual conversation" between women in New York and Jerusalem, using modern technology, to share concerns about the hard work of peacemaking. "It seemed to me that the stories of finding peace in a real way, and not just temporary wall-building, could catch the imagination of people here and their ears could be opened freshly to what you are really living," she said. It might even be possible to share parts of that conversation with the rest of the church and even the general public, she added.

Episcopal Church posts position for treasurer/chief financial officer

(ENS) The Episcopal Church is seeking a chief financial officer and treasurer who will provide financial guidance to the General Convention, the Executive Council and the staff and program of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the corporate name. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of the triennial budget, providing analysis and periodic reports to the church and its governing units. The position is also responsible for the annual operating budget of $45 million, and implementing the investment strategies for an endowment of about $300 million.

According to the announcement, "The selected candidate will have a track record of outstanding leadership and will also demonstrate open communication, excellent one-on-one and group interpersonal skills, a collaborative management style, a demonstrated record of supporting program initiatives of the organization as a whole, and the ability to interact with management, department heads, committees, and external people and groups."

The desired candidate should have an MBA in financial management or equivalent work experience and at least 10 years of experience specific to the requirements of the position. The ideal candidate would be a member of the Episcopal Church. A more complete announcement is available on-line in the Human Resources section of the church's website at www.episcopalchurch.org.

Applications with a cover letter, resume and at least three professional reference should be sent to:

Patricia Browne-Zak, managing director

Gilbert Tweed Associates

415 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Fax: 212-832-1040