wfn.org | Hoyt, Taco Bell and More at NCC Assembly Nov. 4-6, Jackson, MS

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

For Media Planning/Immediate Release

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MEET NOVEMBER 4-6, JACKSON,
MISS.; HIGH NEWS STORY & PHOTO POTENTIAL

Jackson, Miss., will host the National Council of Churches USAs Nov. 4-6,
2003, annual General Assembly - a meeting of higher-than-average story and
photo potential.  Many special guests will join delegates from the NCCs 36
Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member churches, which, in turn, comprise
50 million adherents in 140,000 local congregations nationwide.  The
280-member General Assembly is the highest legislative body of the nations
leading ecumenical body, through which U.S. churches work to address people
s spiritual and social needs.  This meeting marks the end of one four-year
program cycle and the beginning of the next.  See www.ncccusa.org for
further information.

Here are just a few 2003 General Assembly highlights:

- Installation of Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Christian Methodist Episcopal
Bishop of Mississippi and Louisiana, as National Council of Churches
President for 2004-2005.  Service at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Anderson
United Methodist Church also will include installation of other NCC
officers.  Dr. Hoyt, 62, is widely recognized as a theologian, preacher,
pastor and Bible scholar.  The Assembly also will elect new leaders for
2004-2007 and thank those completing their service - especially Elenie K.
Huszagh, NCC President in 2002-2003.

- Actions on social issues, including proposals that the NCC endorse
national boycotts of Taco Bell and Mt. Olive Pickle companies.	These votes
would be especially significant given the NCCs insistence that boycotts are
a measure of last resort.  It has been more than 15 years since the NCC
General Assembly endorsed a consumer boycott (May 1988, related to Royal
Dutch/Shell's connections at that time to apartheid South Africa).  Other
proposed actions concern prescription drug costs, several international
issues and next steps in the churches consideration together of issues
posed by human genetic technologies.

- An emphasis on children, reflected in actions on public education and on
advocacy for childrens needs, the participation of the Piney Woods School
Choir, a letter-writing campaign on behalf of children, and a giant pew so
adults can experience how children feel at worship.

- A look at the role of youth and young adults in the ecumenical movement,
through a pre-Assembly event Nov. 3; young adult caucus breakfast Nov. 6,
and participation of 10 young adult stewards from across the United States
who will serve in the background as they observe up close the deliberative
work of ecumenism.

- A multimedia meeting engaging multiple dimensions of perception and
interaction - spatial, intrapersonal, interpersonal, kinesthetic, musical,
mathematical and linguistic.  Speeches and discussions will be interwoven
with a civil rights tour, worship and Bible study, time for silent
reflection, and - at delegates tables - modeling clay and chenille stems
for spontaneous sculptures.  A resident potter - Ky Johnston, who teaches at
Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. -- will reflect the Assemblys
theme In the Potters Hands.	Also expect dozens of colorful banners, a
bookstore and an exhibit hall.

-end-

Media Contact: 212-870-2252/2227; news@ncccusa.org; www.ncccusa.org

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