The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
News Releases

Utah Priest to Direct NCC Media Effort
January 23, 2006

The Rev. Daniel J. Webster is leaving the Episcopal Diocese of Utah to become the director of media relations for the National Council of Churches of Christ USA. The NCC is made up of 35 Christian member denominations. He will be based at NCC's headquarters in New York City.

Wesley "Pat" Pattillo, associate general secretary for communication at the NCC, announced the appointment today (Jan 23). The Right Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, Episcopal Bishop of Utah, informed members of the diocese by email last Friday.

"While I am very sorry to see him leave he will be playing an important role in communications ministry," wrote Bishop Irish to the diocese. Webster has been director of communications for the Diocese of Utah since July 2001. In addition to being the spokesman for the Episcopal Church in Utah he has been editor of the monthly newspaper Diocesan Dialogue and was responsible for the diocesan website.

"This is a very exciting opportunity to serve the gospel and my ministry of communications for the National Council of Churches," Webster said. "I look forward to working closely with Dr. Bob Edgar the General Secretary of the NCC. I find their initiatives to eliminate poverty and racism as well as promote environmental justice to be at the core of the gospel."

Webster was a founding member of the diocesan Peace and Justice Commission and served the Episcopal Peace Fellowship as an elected member of its governing national executive council. He has been very active in justice and peace issues in the state working closely with the Coalition of Religious Communities of Utah, a social justice advocacy organization.

Webster will bring his more than six years working in church media together with his 25 years of television, radio and newspaper experience to his new position. He leaves Utah in mid-February and begins his new position mid-March.

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