wfn.org | Justice issues top agenda

[powellb@ucc.org]

Nov. 7, 1996

Offices of Communication

United Church of Christ
William C. Winslow, contact
(212) 870-2137
On the Web:  http://www.ucc.org

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Clifford L. Willis, contact
(317) 635-3113, ext. 207
On the Web:  http://www.disciples.org

At the Green Lake (Wis.) Conference Center,
Nov. 15-20: (414) 294-3323

WISCONSIN EDITORS:  See news of local interest, p. 3-6.

Justice issues top agenda at mission board meetings
of two major Protestant denominations

      GREEN LAKE, Wis. -- The status of Jerusalem as a shared
city, the future of American military bases in Okinawa and
protecting religious freedom in Hong Kong are some of the
issues facing the Common Global Ministries Board of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church
of Christ at its semi-annual meeting at Green Lake, Wis., Nov.
18-20.
      The Common Global Ministries Board represents the
Disciples' Division of Overseas Ministries and the UCC's
United Church Board for World Ministries.  Each church still
has a world missions board, but the two agencies have formed a
relationship unique in American Protestantism, sharing staff,
budget and program.
      Peace with justice in the Middle East is a major concern
of the two church groups.  A key to that peace is the status
of Jerusalem.  The city is sacred to Christians, Muslims and
Jews, and the Common Global Ministries Board will look for
ways to assure Jerusalem's openness without specifically
defining it in political terms.
      Jerusalem at peace cannot belong exclusively to one
people, one country or one religion, says Dale Bishop,
missions executive for the Middle East.  The problem is
compounded by the fact that the Israelis want all of Jerusalem
to be their capital while the Palestinians insist that a
section of it be their capital.
      As a demonstration of solidarity with Japanese
Christians, the Common Global Ministries Board will consider a
proposal that American military bases in Okinawa, Japan, be
phased out and environmental pollutants be cleaned up.  At
present, about 20 percent of Okinawa?s land is occupied by
U.S. military bases, including some of the best farm land.  In
a recent non-binding plebiscite, 90 percent of those Okinawans
voting called for the removal of all American bases, an action
supported by the United Church of Christ in Japan, a sister
communion of the two American churches.
      Hong Kong represents a different challenge.  On July 1,
1997, this British colony will revert to China's rule. China
has promised that freedom of religion will continue, but has
also said it plans to dismantle the colony's democratically
elected legislature and replace it with an appointed
provisional assembly.  This worries Hong Kong's churches,
which have worked hard for pluralism and the rights of
minorities.  The Hong Kong churches are seeking support as
they tread a delicate path between maintaining their
independence and supporting the new government.  The Chinese
have asked Hong Kong church organizations to be part of the
selection process for the provisional assembly.
      In addition, the Common Global Ministries Board will
appoint 15 missionaries to posts overseas.
      Before the Common Board meeting, the United Church Board
for World Ministries, descended from the country's oldest
overseas mission agency, will hold its 187th annual meeting
Nov. 15-18.  Among other business, it will consider a
resolution asking the military dictatorship of Nigeria to
restore the democratic process and to call upon the U.S.
government to put pressure on Shell and Mobil to stop
importing Nigerian petroleum products into the United States
until democracy is returned.  It also will honor emeritus
missionaries Wallace and Ruth Robeson, who spent 40 years in
Turkey, and Armin and Evelyn Kroehler, who were in Japan for
nearly 50 years.
      In addition, the Disciples' Division of Overseas
Ministries will hold business sessions alongside the Common
Global Ministries Board meeting.
      With more than 175 missionaries in about 40 countries,
the Common Global Ministries Board works with partner churches
in 90 countries in medical, agricultural, social, educational
and church programs.  The Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), with general offices in Indianapolis, has nearly one
million members and more than 3,900 local churches. The United
Church of Christ, with national offices in Cleveland, has 1.5
million members in more than 6,100 local churches.  The two
denominations have been ecumenical partners in full communion
since 1989.
                           #   #   #
[WISCONSIN EDITORS:  Here is a list of local churches where
missionaries, staff and directors will speak at worship
services Sunday, Nov. 17.  Call the local church for details.]

Appleton -- First Congregational UCC
The Rev. Dan Hoffman, Area Executive, Africa, Common Global
Ministries Board 

Chilton -- Ebenezer UCC
Carlos Abarca, the Rev. Marie Bacchiocchi and Brent Lathrop,
corporate members, United Church Board for World Ministries 

Cleveland -- St. Mark's UCC
Ann Few and Larry Gebhardt, corporate members, United Church
Board for World Ministries  

Clintonville -- Christ Congregational UCC
The Rev. Samuel Buchrer, corporate member, United Church Board
for World Ministries

Elkhart Lake -- Bethel UCC
The Rev. Robert Goddard, corporate member, United Church Board
for World Ministries

Fond du Lac -- Church of Peace UCC
The Rev. Steven Miller, Director, Hunger Action Office, UCC;
Carmen Alicia Nebot, Associate, Global Education and Advocacy,
Common Global Ministries Board UCC

Fond du Lac -- Pilgrim UCC
Jane Courtright, corporate member, United Church Board for
World Ministries

Fremont -- Hope UCC
The Rev. Barbara Dulin and Rev. Kent Gilbert, corporate
members, United Church Board for World Ministries

Green Bay -- Union Congregational UCC
Wayne Chasney and Theresa Lever, corporate members, United
Church Board for World Ministries

Green Lake -- Green Lake Federated Church
Gary Corwin, corporate member, United Church Board for World
Ministries; Wallace Robeson, retired missionary serving in
Turkey

Howards Grove -- Our Shepherd UCC
Brian Bagley-Bonner, corporate member, United Church Board for
World Ministries 

Kaukauna -- Immanuel UCC
The Rev. Terry Provance, Secretary for World Ministries in the
U.S. and Canada, Common Global Ministries Board

Kiel -- Bethlehem UCC
The Rev. Robert Goddard, corporate member, United Church Board
for World Ministries

Kiel -- St. Peter's UCC
Sandra Rooney, Secretary for Mission Education and
Interpretation, Global Ministries for the United Church Board
for World Ministries

Kohler -- Grace UCC
Peter Lin and the Rev. Jeri Smith, corporate members, United
Church Board for World Ministries

Neenah -- Neenah Congregational UCC
The Rev. Ernest Hamlin and Alice Silver, corporate members,
United Church Board for World Ministries

Neenah -- Immanuel UCC
The Rev. Lawrence Burnley, Secretary for Racial and Ethnic
Constituency Education and Development, Common Global
Ministries Board

New Holstein -- St. John UCC
The Rev. Robert Brauninger, corporate member, United Church
Board for World Ministries

Newton -- St. James UCC
Roy Hill, corporate member, United Church Board for World
Ministries

Oshkosh -- Bethany UCC
Greg Watling, corporate member, United Church Board for World
Ministries

Plymouth -- First Congregational UCC
Tina James, missionary in Uganda

Redgranite -- First Congregational UCC
The Rev. Melvin Miller, corporate member, United Church Board
for World Ministries

Ripon -- First Congregational UCC
The Rev. Ching-fen Hsiao, Area Executive, East Asia and the
Pacific, Common Global Ministries Board;

Ripon -- Our Saviour's UCC
The Rev. David Hirano, Executive Vice President, United Church
Board for World Ministries

Sheboygan Falls -- Saron UCC
The Rev. Robert Bryant, corporate member, United Church Board
for World Ministries

Waupun -- Union Congregational UCC
The Rev. Susan Hyndman and Allan Lee, corporate members,
United Church Board for World Ministries
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