United Methodist News Service

Christian Century, April 24, 2002

* M. Garlinda Burton, a longtime communications specialist for the United Methodist Church and editor since 1995 of its Interpreter Magazine, has been named director of the United Methodist News Service. She replaces Tom McAnally, who retired last year. A North Carolina native, Burton will oversee not only the news service but also a publishing unit with three magazines and an information hot line--part of a communications restructuring at the Nashville offices.

Burton said she hopes the semi-independent news service will move into in-depth coverage on hot topics. "Although a church agency may speak on something, the reality is there are United Methodists of goodwill who may or may not agree totally with everything the General Conference or the Book of Resolutions says on a particular issue," she said.