wfn.org | NCCCUSA Hosts Burned Church Pastors June 8-10

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

NCC5/23/97         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. CIVIC & RELIGIOUS LEADERS, INCLUDING 80-90 FROM 
BURNED CHURCHES,
TO MEET IN NATION'S CAPITAL JUNE 8-10 TO PLAN NEXT 
STEPS AGAINST RACISM

 Last June 9-10, 1996, the National Council of 
Churches brought pastors from 38 firebombed churches 
to Washington, D.C., to call the epidemic of hate-
motivated burnings to national attention.  They met 
with President Clinton and the Secretaries of the 
Treasury and Justice Departments, who pledged to 
help.

 Exactly one year later, an expanded delegation 
will be back in the nation's capital to assess 
progress toward stopping the arsons and bringing 
perpetrators to trial.  They also will celebrate the 
countless people who have volunteered funds, goods 
and labor to rebuilding the burned churches and who 
have committed themselves to addressing the racial 
hatred that fueled the fires.

 Between 80-90 pastors and other leaders 
of burned churches, along 
with a large contingent of U.S. religious, civic and 
political leaders, will meet at the Omni Shoreham 
Hotel, 2500 Calvert St N.W., June 8-10, 1997, for a 
"National Convocation of Religious Leaders 
Addressing Racial Justice and Domestic Tranquility."

 They will meet again with Attorney General 
Janet Reno and Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin
(date and time TBA), and in working meetings, 
they will explore next steps in rebuilding churches 
and communities of justice and working against 
racism.

 Invited guests include leaders of the National 
Council of Churches and its 33 member denominations; 
members of Congress, the Supreme Court and the 
Administration; civil rights leaders, and partners 
in the NCC-initiated Burned Churches Fund, including 
Jewish, Muslim and Roman Catholic bodies, 
corporations and foundations that have provided 
support.

 Here are some program highlights:

June 8 - Reception (6 p.m.) and Worship Service (7 
p.m.) at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1500 9th St. N.W..  
Special tribute will be paid to Rev. Dr. Mac Charles 
Jones, who directed the NCC's response to the 
epidemic of burnings until his untimely death in 
March.  The achievements of the past year will be
celebrated.

June 9 - Breakfast (7:30 a.m., Omni Shoreham) 
featuring the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and the Rev. 
Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, NCC General Secretary, on 
"Strategies to Build Just Communities."  Invited 
noon luncheon speaker is Andrew Cuomo, U.S. 
Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, on 
"Ongoing Issues in Rebuilding Both Churches and 
Communities."  The 7 p.m. "Partners in Achievement" 
banquet will be the featured event of the 
convocation; President Clinton has been invited to
speak.  Working sessions will be held during 
the morning and afternoon on the theme "No More 
Burnings, No More Hate."

June 10 - Working breakfast (7:30 a.m.) on future 
work in racial reconciliation and the religious 
community's role.  A news conference hosted by the
Congressional Black Caucus will be held
at a time and place TBA.

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