Patricia Gresham was finishing high school in Richmond, Va., in June 1967 when she came to work for The Presbyterian Outlook Foundation — then a magazine and book service operation. Pat, now business manager, and the Outlook are celebrating her 40th anniversary.
James S. Brown, longtime Outlook business manager, hired Pat. He recalled in 1998: “I immediately recognized Pat as an excellent person.” He cited her work as crucial to the Outlook‘s survival during times of struggle.
She continues to be a pivotal part of the Outlook‘s efforts.
When questions come up about a certain subscription or donation, when arrangements are needed for the Outlook‘s GA banquet, when someone wonders what year a particular event happened, the office response is the same. “Ask Pat.”
“Every institution has one person, who more than any other, bears its institutional memory, and Pat fulfills that function at the Outlook,” says Robert Bullock, the magazine’s editor/CEO 1988-2003. “Nor is there anyone living or dead who loves The Presbyterian Outlook with more single-minded devotion than Pat. It is hard for me to imagine that the Outlook could have survived without Pat’s steady love, patience, competence, and willingness to do anything and everything for the Outlook‘s survival and success in its mission.”
Her workload encompasses many areas of a magazine’s work — bookkeeping, postal regulations, personnel records, dealing with many types of vendors, magazine donors and subscribers, Outlook board members, and staff. What she does is important; how she does it is even more noteworthy — with relish, an infectious laugh or sympathetic quietness, with a gratitude and love shining from her faith in God. “Pat’s strong faith and her caring manner bless those fortunate to be in her presence,” says John Sniffen, the magazine’s associate editor 1997-2004.
He recalls: “At the Outlook dinner (1998), Pat was honored for 30 years with the magazine and book service. The celebration of her service followed the traditional ‘meet the moderator candidates’ presentation. Pat’s heartfelt reply to the tribute, however, was the most inspiring speech of the evening. That room full of Presbyterians would have come forward for an altar call if she had made one. We should have at least taken a collection.”
The Outlook staff has been through a major turnover in recent years. New co-workers are coming to know and work with Pat. In 2004, O. Benjamin Sparks came as interim editor (serving through fall 2005); Martha Skelton as associate editor, and Gillian Kunkel as office/subscription associate. In 2005, Robert P. Baskin, came as publisher; in 2006, Jack Haberer came as editor-in-chief. They joined veteran staff members George Whipple, advertising manager, and Stann Bailey, art director, as Pat’s co-workers.
“Years ago I heard Robert Bullock speak of Pat as the heart and soul of The Presbyterian Outlook,” says Haberer. “Well, that was obvious on the first day of my being here. She loves the Outlook, she loves the Presbyterian Church, she loves the Lord, and she let’s that love show in every possible way. Now that I’m here, I enjoy the overflowing supply of that love and enthusiasm that bubbles out of Pat.”
Pat stays active at work and with her church and family responsibilities, including grandson Joshua, almost two years old.
