Notes about people

by Jerry L. Van Marter

      The Rev. John William Ormond, professor of Bible exposition at Columbia Theological Seminary for more than 20 years, died June 28, at an Atlanta retirement community where he had live the last eight years. He was 85.

      Ormand, who was born in Texas and grew up in Alabama, graduated from the University of Alabama and Columbia seminary. He later earned a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

      He served pastorates in Marion and Tuscaloosa, AL, before going to Columbia seminary in 1964, where he remained until his retirement in 1987. In retirement at Lenbrook Square, Ormond became the popular, unofficial “pastor” for his fellow residents, arranging a weekly vespers service, where ministers from many denominations were invited to speak. He also wrote two books during his retirement: Good News among the Rubble and Preaching Eyes for Listening Ears.

      The memorial service for Will Ormond was held July 4 at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

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      Pattee Miller, a Presbyterian elder from Reading, PA, who served on the first General Assembly Council following Presbyterian reunion in 1983, died June 30.

      On the original council, Miller served on the Task Force on Meeting Arrangements and Racial Ethnic Ministry Unit.  She also served on the National Executive Committee of Presbyterian Women for three years was active at all levels of Presbyterian Women. 

      Services were held at Washington Presbyterian Church in Reading, where she was a longtime member.

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      Longtime religion reporter Mark O’Keefe will become the seventh editor in the 70‑year history of Religion News Service, effective September 2004.  He will succeed David E. Anderson, who is leaving the top post to live in Montana with his family.  Anderson will continue as senior editor of RNS.

      O'Keefe, 43, spent the past four years as a national correspondent covering values and philanthropy for Newhouse News Service, the owner of Religion News Service. Prior to his work with Newhouse, O’Keefe covered religion and social issues for The Oregonian in Portland, and also worked as religion reporter for The Virginian‑Pilot, Norfolk, VA. 

      Anderson, 62, has been covering religion and social issues for 37 years. He began his career with United Press International in 1967 and covered the civil rights and antiwar movements. He was named religion reporter in 1972. He joined RNS as its Washington correspondent in 1991 and was named editor in 1997. He is the author of three books, and serves as a consultant to “Religion & Ethics Newsweekly,” the weekly PBS program.