Dearnaley Named News Director
Episcopal News Service. June 23, 1983 [83122]
DES MOINES, Iowa (DPS, June23) -- Presiding Bishop John M. Allin announced at the June meeting of the Executive Council here that the Rev. William D. Dearnaley has been named news director at the Episcopal Church Center.
Dearnaley succeeds Walter H. Boyd who retired in March for health reasons and who was honored at this meeting. Boyd served as press officer at the Center from 1971 until his retirement. Under his direction, the press operation grew to become a respected source of news and information about the General Church program and related staff and activities. Its weekly Diocesan Press Service mailings provide more than 300 clients with news, features and photos.
At a luncheon at the Fort Des Moines, Boyd was honored with numerous testimonials and with a stained glass sculpture from Allin. A resolution commending Boyd passed with a standing ovation.
Dearnaley joined the Church Center staff in 1976 after completing theological training at the Episcopal Divinity School. He was ordained priest the following year.
Before going to seminary, he was a reporter, newscaster and editor. His last daily newspaper post was on the news desk of the Trenton Times, where he also served as makeup supervisor, wire editor, night city editor and wrote regularly for op-ed and feature pages.
As news director, he is responsible for the Press Service, is general editor of the Issues series, and arranges and supervises coverage for the House of Bishops, the General Convention and other special national meetings. He has served as publisher of the Convention Daily and as news editor of the General Convention.
Dearnaley is married and lives in New York with his wife Carol-Ann. They are members of St. Luke's in the Fields parish and he serves as a supply priest in the dioceses of new York and Long Island.
A search for an assistant will begin soon.
Passed by Executive Council June 17 in Des Moines, Iowa
Whereas, Walter Harold Boyd has served Christianity as Press Officer of the Episcopal Church from 1971 until 1983, interpreting the Church's national and international mission to and through secular and Church-related media; and
Whereas, the heavy responsibility of this position at no time limited his ability or his willingness to be a counselor, advisor, confidant and friend for those around him; and
Whereas, his calling as an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America enabled him to bring a unique ecumenical perspective to the communication ministry of the Episcopal Church; and
Whereas, his patience, quiet humor, insight and complete lack of selfishness have made him an example and an inspiration to Episcopalians and other Christians both clergy and laypersons alike; be it therefore
Resolved, that the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church meeting this date in Des Moines, Iowa,
- Thank God for the years during which Christians of many traditions have benefited from Walter Harold Boyd's leadership and guidance.
- Praise God for the progress and quality in the communication field that Walter Harold Boyd has enabled the Episcopal Church to achieve, and
- Ask God to guide him and us as we go forward in ministry, vastly enriched by our years together.