Christian Science board names a new director
The Christian Science Board of Directors has elected M. Victor Westberg of Los Altos, Calif., as a member of the board, effective Aug. 5.
The board of directors is the five- member, self-perpetuating body that conducts the business of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston.
In his new capacity, Mr. Westberg will also serve as manager of the Christian Science Publishing Society, overseeing the business operations of this newspaper and its website.
Westberg will succeed John L. Selover, who passed away Aug. 1. Mr. Selover was vice chairman of the board, which he joined in 1985. Selover served for several years as church treasurer and in 1998 became manager of the Christian Science Publishing Society, serving as the Monitor's publisher.
"We are deeply grateful to John for his significant contributions to this church and the publishing society," said Virginia Harris, the board's chairman. "His intelligence, compassion and grace benefited all who knew him.
"There is a great spirit of continuity with Vic's appointment because he and John worked so closely together in recent years," Mrs. Harris said. "Vic's broad experience, dedication, and spiritual insight will make him a wonderful member of the board."
Prior to the board appointment, Westberg was serving as assistant manager of the Publishing Society and president of the Board of Education, which selects and prepares teachers of Christian Science. In his role with the Board of Education, Westberg worked with, and reported to, Selover.
Westberg, who flew combat missions for the US Navy during the Korean War, founded a California-based wholesale distribution company, Pacific Far West Inc., in 1965. Five years later, he became a Christian Science practitioner, or spiritual healer.
Westberg has spent most of his adult life in California and held a variety of posts over the years designed to serve the public good. Those positions include prison chaplain, co-founder of a school for mentally disabled children, and adviser to Christian Science organizations for university students in the San Francisco Bay Area.
From 1985 through 1992 Westberg served as the Committee on Publication for northern California. And from 1992 through 1998, he was manager, Committees on Publication, overseeing those functions worldwide for The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
"I'm delighted to be joining the publishing society at this time and hope to build on John's many contributions, particularly the dramatic growth of the Monitor audience that took place under his stewardship," said Westberg.
