FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GEM Network Board elects new officers.

Boise, Idaho, June 2003

The Board of Directors of the Global Episcopal Mission Network, meeting in Boise on June 18, 2003 elected Ms. Gini Peterson, President; Mr. Jim Heathcote. Vice President; Mr. Fred Farrell, Treasurer; and the Rev. Ernesto Obregon, Secretary. The Global Episcopal Mission Network is an organization of Episcopal Church dioceses and their bishops committed to Global Mission.

Mark Harris has been our Executive Director, however, financial considerations makes it necessary for him to revert to a contract position as Dean of the Certificate Program for the training of mission agents.  With new 501(C)3 status, we are well positioned to take on an expanded role in the support of mission in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion.

As President of the Board, Gini Peterson will welcome participants to the GEM Network Annual Educational Institute to be held in Austin, Texas at the Episcopal Theological School of the Southwest (ETSS) on June 17-18, 2004.  The theme of the Institute will be "One hope in Gods Call."  The keynote speaker will be the Dean of ETSS, The Very Rev. Dr. Titus Presler.

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Please pass comments on the web site to Jim Heathcote, or Susan Messenger, or Bill Wood.