For Jane Hines, Upon Retiring

About Jane
By Bob Millard

I cannot imagine there is a single person who wrote regularly for the Presbyterian Voice during Jane Hines’ editorial tenure who does not love her. An incisive journalist in her own right, Jane is a great friend to and encourager of her writers. Whether it’s news, feature stories, or a column like my own on “Church Music,” cast with humor, epiphany, or sadness, Jane knows that we are writing about important things. Jane has let our columns and stories evolve with and reflect our individual spiritual lives in these times, which is why readers connect with something in every issue.

As an editor Jane pulls off an amazing combination: high standards and mother hen nurturing. You want to excel for Jane because you grow writing for Jane, which is why the Voice has to be one of the best synod papers in the PCUSA. Because we live in Nashville and attend Second church, I’ve gotten to spend time with Jane. Through several years we’ve laid out papers together, traveled the South to Presbytery meetings and writer’s workshops, eaten our share of barbecue and fried chicken, boldly declared dessert “the lost vegetable,” and talked critically, humorously but always with caring about our faith and denomination that houses it. Still, I know little more than her other writers. We all know she’s the best.