wfn.org | NCCCUSA GENERAL SECRETARY TO CONVENE DISCUSSIONS

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

NCCCUSA General Secretary to Convene Discussions on 
Political Role
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Contact: Wendy McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

79NCC8/12/98(Revision)          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC GENERAL SECRETARY TO CONVENE TWO UPSTATE NEW YORK
DISCUSSIONS ON THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT
Aug. 19 in Corning, NY and Aug. 20 in Jamestown, NY

 NEW YORK, Aug. 12 ---- The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown 
Campbell, General Secretary of the National Council of the 
Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCC), will convene a 
discussion in two upstate New York locations entitled  
"Challenging the Political Role of the Religious Right."

 "After learning about the aggressive role the 
religious right is playing in the coming primary and 
election in the 31st Congressional District, I felt it was 
an opportune time to convene area clergy and church members 
to consider these tactics and call for integrity in the 
campaign and electoral process," Dr. Campbell said.  Dr. 
Campbell will be a guest at the Chautauqua Institution at 
that time for an NCCC senior staff retreat.

 The first discussion will be held Wednesday, August 
19 at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in 
Corning, NY (144 Cedar Street at First); the second will 
be held Thursday, August 20 at 10 a.m. at the First 
Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, NY (509 Prendergast 
Avenue).

 Each session will include a presentation, time for 
discussion and proposals for active public influence on the 
side of electoral integrity.  "One of the tactics used by 
the religious right is requesting churches to distribute 
campaign materials, which we feel clearly exploits 
religion," Dr. Campbell said.  "Such tactics imply that all 
Christians have a single point of view.  We believe in a 
pluralistic agenda with a variety of points of view.  
Religion and religious people do not line up on any one 
political side.  This needs to be affirmed in the midst of 
every political campaign."

The pastors of the two local churches, Rev. Charles 
Hess (First United Methodist in Corning) and Rev. Tom Sweet 
(First Presbyterian Church, Jamestown), will serve as 
hosts.  The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, a pastor and leader 
in the progressive wing of the Southern Baptist Convention 
and executive director of The Interfaith Alliance, will 
give a presentation at the discussions.

 The Interfaith Alliance is a national faith-based 
organization with chapters in 36 states and over 80,000 
members from more than 50 different faith communities.  Its 
mission is to draw on shared religious principles to 
promote the positive role of religion in public life, while 
challenging those who manipulate religion to push a 
partisan and destructive political agenda.  Dr. Campbell 
serves as a member of The Interfaith Alliance's Board of 
Directors.

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