wfn.org | Aid Burned Black Churches And Combat Racism

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

Date: 27-Jun-96 
 
96239       GAC Encourages Presbyterians to Aid Burned 
                 Black Churches And Combat Racism 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Condemning the burning of black churches across America as 
"signs of increasing social and racial violence," the General Assembly 
Council (GAC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is encouraging 
Presbyterians to donate money to aid burned black churches nationwide and 
to continue to work in their communities to combat racial violence. 
 
     GAC leaders met here June 11 to plan a response to the rash of 
burnings that have destroyed more than 30 black churches over the past 18 
months. Among the recent fires was one that destroyed Matthews-Murkland 
Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., June 6.  A 13-year-old white girl 
has been arrested in that case. 
 
     The Rev. James D. Brown, GAC executive director, described the series 
of burnings as "a crisis" and said it is imperative that the denomination 
aid Matthews-Murkland Presbyterian Church and all other victimized 
congregations in every way possible. 
 
     To that end, here are ways the GAC said that Presbyterians can help: 
 
        * Pray for the individuals and communities that have been affected 
          by the rising wave of hate crimes sweeping across the United 
          States. Presbyterians are also encouraged to continue to work in 
          their communities to combat racial violence.  "Breaking Down the 
          Walls: Responding to the Racism That Divides Us," PDS 
          #225-92-271, helps Presbyterians examine and deal with the racism 
          that is part of our lives. More information can be obtained by 
          contacting the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program at 
          1-800-338-4987. 
        * Organize a volunteer work team to assist in the rebuilding 
          effort. Work teams are needed this summer to rebuild three black 
          churches in Greene County, Ala. Let the PC(USA) know of your 
          group's availability by calling PresbyTel at 1-800-872-3283. 
 
     GAC leaders are also asking Presbyterians to prayerfully consider the 
opportunity to give.  Financial contributions can be sent in the following 
ways: 
 
        * Send gifts directly to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Central 
          Receiving Service, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 
          40202-1396, designated for "Response to Church Burnings, 
          #9-2000126." These funds will be provided to middle governing 
          bodies and Church World Service to assist communities seeking to 
          rebuild black churches destroyed by arson. 
        * Respond directly to the fire at Matthews-Murkland Presbyterian 
          Church by sending gifts to Central Receiving Service designated 
          for "Matthews-Murkland Presbyterian Fund, 9-2000127." These funds 
          will be forwarded to the Presbytery of Charlotte. Or send your 
          check to the Presbytery of Charlotte, 5700 Executive Center 
          Drive, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28212. 
 
     A major PC(USA) initiative on racism and racial violence seeks to 
involve people in a comprehensive approach to this crisis by assisting 
congregations and governing bodies, enabling them to address the root 
causes of racism and racially motivated violence and helping to identify 
strategies for responding to specific incidents of violence in their 
communities. 
 
     Presbyterians wishing to support this initiative may give through 
their local congregations through their normal mission channel, designating 
the gifts for "Racism and Violence ECO #867162." Additional information is 
available through the Office of Racial Justice Policy Development at (502) 
569-5698. 
 
     On June 20, eight foundations announced a total of $2.7 million in 
grants to the National Council of Churches (NCC)'s Burned Churches Fund, 
which will help African American congregations rebuild their churches and 
work to address the racism underlying the burnings. A ninth announced $2 
million in preconstruction loans plus technical assistance. 
 
     Seven organizations that have collaborated to provide $1.7 million to 
the Burned Churches Fund are the Annenberg, Ford, W.K. Kellogg, John D. & 
Catherine T. MacArthur, Charles Stewart Mott and Rockefeller foundations 
and the Pew Charitable Trusts. The Andreas Foundation, headed by Dwayne O. 
Andreas, chairman of the board and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland in 
Decatur, Ill., also announced June 20 its earlier grant of $1 million to 
the fund. 
 
     A ninth foundation, the Enterprise Foundation of Columbia, Md., the 
largest supplier of federal low-income tax credits, announced June 20 that 
it is offering technical assistance in construction oversight and financial 
planning. The foundation will offer $2 million in preconstruction loans. 
 
     The NCC's general secretary, the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, announced 
that as of June 20 the NCC-member denominations had pledged more than 
$500,000 toward the Burned Churches Fund, with many of the NCC's 33 
Protestant and Orthodox member denominations yet to report their pledges. 
 
     "The Burned Churches Fund provides a central inclusive and 
collaborative vehicle not only for restoring what has been destroyed but 
also for uncovering root causes of [racism and racial violence]," Campbell 
said. "Never before in my history of almost 35 years serving in the 
ecumenical movement has such a diverse group of foundations, social 
agencies and faith groups come together to focus on activities to address 
the racism that underlies the burnings." 
 
     Meanwhile, the teenager charged with burning Matthews-Murkland 
Presbyterian Church remains in a juvenile detention facility in Charlotte, 
according to Officer Mickey Casey, public affairs officer of the 
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. 
 
     Casey told the Presbyterian News Service that evidence indicates the 
suspect harbors "anti-Christian, anti-African American beliefs" and that 
she did not realize Matthews-Murkland Presbyterian Church was attended by 
an African American congregation until watching news reports the morning 
after the fire. 
 
     However, Casey said, the investigation has revealed the suspect had 
seen Matthews-Murkland Church in the past and targeted it because of her 
anti-Christian sentiments. She said the investigation remains a high 
priority with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. 
 
     "Evidence continues to support the belief that the 13-year-old acted 
alone, and there continues to be no evidence linking this church fire with 
any other church fire locally or nationally," Casey said. 

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