wfn.org | NCCCUSA Honors Eight Ecumenical Efforts

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCCCUSA News, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES HONORS EIGHT ECUMENICAL EFFORTS

 CHICAGO, Nov. 12 ---- The National Council of Churches (NCC) honored eight
ecumenical agencies for their innovative programs at an awards ceremony
held during the NCC's Nov. 11-13 annual General Assembly.

 "The Ecumenical/Interfaith Service Awards bring tribute and honor to those
who seek the unity of people in creative, compassionate and sensitive
ministries that build hope, justice and new partnerships," said Ms. Barbara
George, NCC Ecumenical Networks Director.  "We recognize these efforts with
the certain knowing that others will be inspired to adapt the models in
communities across this nation."

 Established in 1991, the awards are given to ecumenical/interfaith
projects which respond to human needs and promote unity.  Nominations for
the ecumenical/interfaith service awards are sought broadly, Ms. George
explained.  A committee of the NCC Ecumenical Networks Working Group
narrows the list and makes recommendations to the overall working group.
The selections are made and forwarded to the General Assembly.  In past
years, awards were given to projects addressing child care, justice for
women, ecumenical partnerships, hunger, racial justice, domestic violence,
health care, mental illness and alcohol/drug education.

 This year's recipients are:

 ? The Family Connection, Inc., originated by Churches United of the Quad
City Area (Ill.-Iowa) for its Family Violence Prevention project, which
provides a way for parents in violent relationships to exchange their
children for visitation.

 ? The Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County, providing
access to resource counseling along with nutritionally balanced meals,
sponsored by the Council of Churches of Greater Seattle (Wash.).

 ? An ecumenical delegation visit to Egypt to observe religious freedom
there and meet with leaders, sponsored by the Council of Churches of the
City of New York.

 ? The Inter-faith Ministry Center, a gathering place for the
inter-religious community of Inter-Faith Ministries Wichita, Inc. (Kansas).

 ? A Kentucky Council of Churches ministry to disaster victims, The Kentucky
Interchurch Disaster Recovery Program.

 ? Muskegon County Cooperating Churches (Mich.) for Building Bridges in the
Face of Hate - Community Uniting for Peace, an ecumenical program
responding to the rise of hate groups in the area.

 ? Schenectady Inner City Ministry's (SICM, New York) drop-in center for
people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, called The Schenectady
Damien Center, which formed a teen peer educational theater troupe to do
role- plays on HIV/AIDS and other issues.

 ? Project Spirit, a daily after-school tutoring and cultural enrichment
program serving African American school age children, run by the St. Paul
Area Council of Churches (Minn.)

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