Ecumenical agency announces staff changes
By Linda Bloom*
March10, 2009 | NEW YORK (UMNS)
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The Rev. W. Douglas Mills
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Two staff executives of the United Methodist Commission on Christian
Unity and Interreligious Concerns are “no longer with the agency,”
according to its chief executive.
The Rev. Stephen J. Sidorak Jr. announced the departure of the Rev.
W. Douglas Mills and Wendy Whiteside in a brief statement issued March
10. No reason was given for the staff change.
Mills, a clergy member of the Northwest Texas Annual
(regional) Conference, had served as associate general secretary for
dialogue and interfaith relations since June 1, 2005. Whiteside had
been associate general secretary for constituency relations and
ecumenical formation since Oct. 8, 2007.
Sidorak expressed appreciation for their work and wished them well
“as they continue their ministries with The United Methodist Church.”
When reached by United Methodist News Service, both Mills and
Whiteside declined to comment directly on their employment situation.
“It’s a very sad day,” Mills said. “But with my theological
education, my ecumenical experience and my commitment to The United
Methodist Church, I know I will always be a part of the ecumenical
work.”
Whiteside also stood by her commitment to the denomination. “My
commitment has always been to the church and not to individuals or a
particular job within the church,” she said.
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Wendy Whiteside
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Mills has master of theology and master of divinity degrees from Duke
University and a doctorate in philosophy from Texas Tech University.
From 1997 to 2002, he served as chairman of the religion department at
Eastern New Mexico University, as well as assistant professor of
religion and director of the Wesley Foundation there from 1993 to 2002.
He was a senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Clyde,
Texas, before joining the commission.
Whiteside previously worked for the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries, directing print, Web, multilingual, video and audio
communications. She also had worked in communications for the United
Methodist Committee on Relief.
According to the statement, Sidorak will assume their commission
responsibilities “during the transition,” with assistance from Bishop
Fritz Mutti and the Rev. Betty Gamble, a former commission executive.
The changes leave the agency with Sidorak and one other executive, Kathryn Williams, along with support staff.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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