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Marj Pon Named Editor of Church School Publications

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 6, 2009, GBOD) — Marj Pon has been elected editor of Church School Publications, assuming the position upon the retirement of the Reverend Judy Smith.

On January 31, 2009, Smith completed 32 years of active ministry as an elder in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and as an executive with The Upper Room, the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM), and for the last 10 years with The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH).

The editor of Church School Publications is elected by the GBOD, subject to confirmation by UMPH. The editor works with the Curriculum Resources Committee (CRC) of the GBOD and is employed by UMPH to oversee editorial and production of teaching and learning materials used in Sunday school, small groups, confirmation classes, and other settings for Christian education and formation.

Ms. Pon served eight years as a director of curriculum publishing with UMPH and for the past year as managing editor of Church School Publications. She was nominated for the editor of Church School Publication's post by Karen Greenwaldt, General Secretary of GBOD and Neil Alexander, President of UMPH.

Upon her election and confirmation, Greenwaldt and Alexander said: "We have great confidence in the gifts and graces of Marj Pon, who has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to fashion resources for our congregations that are rooted in sound United Methodist theological content and offer the most effective teaching methods. She takes to heart the needs of local churches and works in creative and resourceful ways to deliver products that aid ministries to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She will provide exceptional leadership in the years ahead."

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.