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Penny
is pleased to use her background in journalism as a member of GSLC’s program
team - reaching out and telling our ministry’s story in many ways and mediums as creatively possible.
Doomed to be a “word person” since childhood, she explains that her parents took part of her given name Millicent and gave it a twist into her familiar nickname of Penny.
Penny received a bachelor’s degree in history from University of Michigan and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. In her professional career, she worked at the Detroit News, Miami Herald, Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette and Meriden (CT) Record-Journal. Her favorite student reporter gig was as a Washington intern for Time and People magazines.
She’s experienced as a writer, reviewer, layout and graphics editor, features and news editor and production manager. She’s also eager to share her love of print and video photography, as well as music, in her communications and Web work at Good Shepherd. While raising a family, Penny exercised her teaching skills with the Montgomery County Public Schools “Art Fever” program, which gives kids a peek into artists’ and composers’ lives outside the usual classroom lessons.
Since 2003, she’s served as a weekly E-ministry writer for Frontline Devotions. (Click any Wednesday in the Devotions Archives to read her messages on faith and society.)
Granddaughter of a Lutheran minister who preached in rural Wisconsin in English and German, Penny has been an active member at GSLC since 1990. Penny joined the staff as Director of Communications in Fall 2008, and she continues to serve in the Chancel Choir, on the Building Committee as Transition Coordinator, and in women’s small group ministry.
Penny maintains results-oriented, dedicated people are needed both in the nonprofit sector and professional world. She feels blessed to be called into using her skills, enthusiasm and love of God to serve Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Penny is married to Jim Risen, an author and investigative journalist in the New York Times Washington Bureau. They have three sons, Tom, Bill and Dan, and live in Derwood.
On deep background:
Favorite Bible verse: Acts 4:20: “For we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard!”
Vacation spot: Outer Banks of North Carolina, Ireland, or any Disney destination.
Music: Mozart, Handel, U2, Bob Dylan, all Beatles and most Contemporary Christian artists.
Secret talent: Plays bluegrass mandolin.
Sports: Likes to watch, though very little actual participatory skill.
TV/Movies: Big Ten college football, MSNBC, Food Network, CSI, any Hitchcock or British mystery/comedy.
Secret weaknesses: Chocolate-covered raisins, grande lattes, visiting Civil War battlefields and nature spots.
Authors: Grisham, Dickens, the Prophets; any Web site, newspaper, magazine, billboard, cereal box …
Personal accomplishment: Raising three creative sons in the 21st Century
Proudest GSLC accomplishments: Coordinating our move during construction for two 2007 Community Christmas Eve worship services to Gaithersburg High School auditorium, and sharing His song, praise and celebration with more than 1,000 parishioners and visitors. Also, advocating adding Contemporary worship service.
