PITTSBURGH, July 5, 2012 – More than 70 people attended the Presbyterian Writers Guild luncheon at the 220th General Assembly today. Gathered over a meal, they shared ideas and honored the work of Presbyterian writers.
John Buchanan, former pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago and current editor of the Christian Century, received the David Steele Distinguished Writing Award. John Underwood presented the award to Buchanan. This award is given in years when the assembly meets and is named in appreciation for the work of Steele, who is well known for his poetry and thought-provoking Presbyterian Outlook columns titled “Tuesday Morning.”
Former winners of the Steele award – Eva Stimson, editor of Presbyterians Today, and Jack Barden, admissions director at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary – were also present and recognized.
Many present gave thanks for Buchanan’s leadership in writing and publishing. Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council, expressed her gratitude for his service, voicing her appreciation for his leadership in the Writers Guild and as her pastor during her time attending Fourth Presbyterian Church. David Dobson, of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, expressed gratitude for Buchanan’s contributions to the denomination and said he looks forward to Buchanan’s service as the newly-elected chair of Presbyterian Publishing.
Jack Haberer, editor of the Presbyterian Outlook, offered a formal introduction of Buchanan, recognizing his contributions to the Presbyterian writing community with specificity. Haberer appealed to the pastoral spirit that pervades Buchanan’s writing. He noted, “When I think of John, I don’t first think of him as a distinguished writer; I think of him as a distinguished pastor.” However, while Buchanan was working as a pastor, Haberer stated, he was also writing and “the writing has been distinguished, to say the least.” Haberer gave thanks for the faith expressed in those written words and also recognized the great strides the Christian Century publication has taken under Buchanan’s leadership.
Speaking to the gathering, Buchanan mentioned his affinity for the written words of others and spoke of how these words helped direct others to the Word.
“I am honored beyond words by this award,” he stated. He gave thanks for words from the pens of the like of Martin Luther King – of whom he cherishes an original letter, kept by the Christian Century and published in the magazine’s earlier days – to those of novelists John Updike and John Steinbeck.
Buchanan offered thanks for the Christian Century and its team of writers that make the publication the success it is. Quoting the first chapter of John’s gospel, Buchanan remembered that the Word was present in the beginning and that both preachers and writers alike know that their words have the great potential to become the vehicle of the Word.
In closing, he stated, ‘Thank you for this high honor. I will treasure it forever.”
