MILFORD, Ohio--Joel Meeker, an elder in the United Church of God and member of the UCG's governing body, the council of elders, resigned his seat on the 12-man board in a letter to church president Clyde Kilough dated July 25, 2007.

Filling the vacancy is Leon Walker of Big Sandy, Texas, who in May had lost his bid for reelection to the council. Mr. Walker is back as a councillor because he was next in line in the tally of votes cast by the general conference of elders to fill one of the three "international" seats on the council.

Mr. Meeker, although an American and resident of the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, was considered one of three international council members because of his "editorial and membership oversight responsibilities in the French-speaking areas," Mr. Kilough said.

Mr. Walker handles similar responsibilities for Spanish-speaking areas.