The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
April 2007

Linda Watt Enjoying Her Job

By Dick Snyder

Linda Watt, right, goes over material with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori during meeting of Executive Council.
-- Dialogue photo

Her new job as chief operating officer of the Episcopal Church "is just as stimulating as I thought it would be," says former Utahan Linda Watt.

Prior to being appointed to the position by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, she was a member of Grace Church in St. George and a member of the parish's vestry. She had retired from a career in the diplomatic service and had most recently served as US Ambassador to Panama.

In an interview with the Dialogue conducted during the March meeting of Executive Council, she said it has "been a real blessing to serve the church now. I am inspired every day by the Presiding Bishop and the very committed people at the Episcopal Church Center."

"It's a great, wonderful time to be an Episcopalian," she added.

She said she has not been able to return to her home near St. George, but that her husband Leo Duncan has. "I'm still in touch with people there and miss it."

During her first meeting as a member of Executive Council, she told that group that she feels "honored to be part of this group." She serves ex officio on that body, which oversees the operations of the church between General Conventions.

Executive Council met in Portland in early March.

She explained that she is working on a review "of the processes on how to best carry out the mission of the church."

Her goal, she said, is to help develop "a flexible, agile, inspired organization - with a work force that is superior in its performance."

She urged the council members to help develop "ways to inform others about our own story."

She encouraged use of the Episcopal Church's website and news sources including Episcopal Life and Episcopal News Service.

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