wfn.org | CBS-TV Special Features Six Atlanta Churches "Answering Micah's Call"

[Carol Fouke <carolf@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227; news@ncccusa.org; www.ncccusa.org
6/21/01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CBS-TV SPECIAL FEATURES SIX ATLANTA CHURCHES "ANSWERING MICAH'S CALL"

	June 21, 2001, NEW YORK CITY -- Four Atlanta-area congregations that
participate in a National Council of Churches (NCC) pilot project called
"Micah 6" are featured in a CBS television special to be sent to affiliate
stations on June 24 for airing over the next six weeks.

	The NCC project, now in its third year, integrates and strengthens
congregational life by encouraging churches to look at all their activities
through the lens of the Bible passage Micah 6:8. In this passage, the Old
Testament prophet Micah asks the question, "And what does the Lord require
of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your
God?"

	The CBS-TV special "Answering Micah's Call" is the second of four religious
specials produced by CBS this year in cooperation with the Interfaith
Broadcasting Commission, of which the NCC is a member.  "Answering Micah's
Call" was filmed in Atlanta, offering a glimpse of ways that the four
congregations interpret Micah 6 for their churches and their communities.

	At Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, the Rev. James Victor, who is an
associate pastor, and volunteer Anna Davenport show how faithful and
committed individuals work in ministries for justice and healing, and how
Ebenezer partners with other Micah 6 congregations.

	The Rev. Bradley Schmeling, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta,
helps build relationships around advocacy work, asking the tough question,
"Who's not here (around the table)?"

	At First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, the Rev. George Wirth, pastor, and
the Rev. Charles Black, an associate pastor, feed the hungry through a
volunteer Meals on Wheels program.

	The Rev. Dr. Earl McCloud, pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal
Church, Atlanta, works at a prison ministry that builds relationships within
the community.

	All of these ministries combine the biblical mandate to do justice, love
kindness and walk humbly with God into programs that reach into the
community while at the same time building up the strength of the
congregation.

	Around the country, 30 congregations--including the four Atlanta churches
featured in the CBS special--identify themselves as Micah 6 congregations.

	With the help of planning resources offered by the National Council of
Churches, these congregations are asking what God requires of them today in
their communities. There is no set prescription. By looking at their church
and community through the lens of Micah 6, these 30 congregations have
created more than 100 programs as diverse as Bible study,
English-as-a-Second-Language classes, prison ministry, housing rehab
projects and much more.

	Yet these projects avoid the "one-more-thing-to-do" syndrome, say
participants.  "They are reporting that Micah 6 integrates the life of the
church, touching every aspect," according to Micah 6 National Coordinator
Nancy Theoharis, of Milwaukee.

	"And at the personal level, each member is challenged to find ways to
incorporate all three dimensions of the Micah passage into daily life," she
says. As a result, Micah 6 congregations frequently say they have been
"renewed, centered and strengthened spiritually." Their creative efforts are
involving the congregation, attracting new members and encouraging increased
giving.

	To see if "Answering Micah's Call" has been cleared in your community, go
to www.interfaithbroadcasting.com and click on "IBC Program Information."
After it has been on air, the program can be ordered in VHS video format by
calling 1-800-494-6007. Cost is $19.98 plus $4.95 for shipping and handling.

-end-

Note to Reporters and Editors: Contact information follows for the four
congregations featured in the CBS-TV special "Anwering Micah's Call."  Go to
the National Council of Churches Web site www.ncccusa.org) to read thumbnail
sketches of each congregation's Micah 6 program.

Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 members
Micah 6 Contact:: The Rev. James Victor, Associate Pastor
404-688-7263 x230

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2046 Richard Allen Lane SE,
Atlanta, GA 30316
Approximately 600 members
Micah 6 Contact:: The Rev. Dr. Earl McCloud, Pastor
404-241-5900

First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Approximately 2,700 members
Micah 6 Contact:: The Rev. Charles Black, Associate Pastor for Community
Ministries
404-228-7747

St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30307
Approximately 260 members
Micah 6 Contact:: The Rev. Bradley Schmeling, Pastor
404-378-4243