wfn.org | Sabbath of Support for Attacked Churches

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To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

National Council of Churches
Communication Commission

Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252

NCC6/27/96                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SABBATH OF SUPPORT FOR ATTACKED HOUSES OF WORSHIP
SET FOR JUNE 28-30

 A June 28-30 "Sabbath of Support" for attacked
houses of worship, initiated by the South Carolina
Christian Action Council in Columbia, S.C., has been
picked up by ecumenical and interfaith councils across
the United States.  The observances are planned in
response to the epidemic of burnings, vandalisms and
other racially motivated hate crimes being directed
against African American churches and other houses of
worship.

 "This is the time when we will pray for those
suffering from burning of houses of worship and call
for efforts to overcome hatred, violence and racism,"
said the Rev. Dr. L. Wayne Bryan, the Council's
executive director.

Following are examples of planned observances,
gleaned from notes posted on Ecunet, a computer network
used by more than 10,000 people in the ecumenical and
interfaith community.  (This list is far from complete.
Please check your own local and/or state council of
churches for any observances in your area.)

  The United Methodist Church is asking all their
churches worldwide to observe the Sabbath of
Support.  Contact Lesley Crosson, New York,
212-870-3916.

  The Illinois Conference of the United Church of
Christ has created a "symbol" for the day and
is passing the idea along to others.  They are
asking their churches to hang a burned piece of
lumber by the front door of the church for
worshippers to see as they arrive, as a symbol
to help people think about suffering and
solidarity.  Contact the Rev. Jeff Nichols,
708-344-4470.

  Special prayers and worship services will be
held across South Carolina, and many
congregations will hang a piece of charred
lumber by their door.  The South Carolina
Christian Action Council (803-786-7115) is
offering "Worship Suggestions in Solidarity
with Churches Under Siege."  And, in a meeting
today, the Council approved the "Sabbath of
Support Project" which will begin with this
weekend's observances and continue with
reconstruction and long-term work to overcome
racism, hatred and division.  The work will be
broadly ecumenical: "A lot of groups have been
working on this for a long time and now we are
discovering each other," said Executive
Director Bryan.

  Washington State will engage in Sabbath of
Support activities this weekend, reported the
Rev. John C. Boonstra, Executive Minister of
the Washington Association of Churches
(Seattle, 206-625-9790).  "We are holding a
large press event Friday the 28th (12:30 p.m.,
New Hope Baptist Church, 116 21st Ave., Seattle)
to announce vigils on Saturday evening from 9
to midnight," he said.  "The plan asks for five
or more persons from one congregation to stand
in vigil on the property of another house of
worship in solidarity and in calling for
bridges that must be built.  The match-ups of
religious communities is being done by the
Church Council of Greater Seattle, the American
Jewish Committee and the Black United Clergy
for Action."  Associated Ministries of Tacoma-
Pierce County is among partners in the Sabbath
of Support.  Also, the Washington Association
of Churches is organizing a state-wide
religious leaders "sign on" to a "Declaration of
Religious Liberty and Tolerance."

  Montana (at the initiative of the Montana
Association of Churches, Billings, 406-656-
9779) and Virginia (at the initiative of the
Virginia Council of Churches, Richmond, 804-
321-3300) also are observing the Sabbath of
Support.  Judy Bennett from the Virginia
Council said observances there will include
special offerings, recruiting volunteers for
reconstruction work later this summer, and
written expression of concern to the affected
churches.  Most denominational judicatory
executives and all major Jewish organizations
will participate.

  Contacts for observances planned in some other
states: Kentucky Council of Churches
(Lexington, 606-253-3027), Ecumenical
Ministries of Iowa (Des Moines, 515-255-5905),
New Mexico Conference of Churches (Albuquerque,
505-255-1509), Minnesota Council of Churches
(Minneapolis, 612-870-3600) and the Hawaii
Council of Churches (Honolulu, 808-538-0068).

 Many, many denominational and ecumenical groups
have responded in some way to the hate attacks on
houses of worship.  Search the Internet site
www.wfn.org (Worldwide Faith News) for more news of
statements and activities.  Wayne Bryan of the South
Carolina Christian Action Council also may be contacted
at the following Internet address:

  sc_council.parti@ecunet.org

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