wfn.org | Africentric Resources for Churches Available on NCC Web Site

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

October 16, 2003
For Immediate Release

Africentric Resources Available on the National Council of Churches Web Site

A Bibliography of Africentric Resources and Resources for Special Days in
the Black Church are among offerings of the National Council of Churches
Committee on Black Congregational Ministries, which works to promote
Christian education with a focus on the needs of persons of African descent.
Both are available free on the NCCs Web site: www.ncccusa.org.

The need for the bibliography surfaced during the committees 1998
consultation in Chicago on Black Heritage and Christianity: Assessing Our
Faith.  Committee member Dr. Mary A. Love of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church spearheaded the project with assistance from other
committee members.

Africentrism is defined as recognizing the origin of the spiritual heritage
of persons of African descent and making connections with Africa and persons
in the African diaspora - people settled far from their ancestral homeland.

The cross-referenced and partially annotated bibliography identifies
selected Africentric resources in 19 categories, including children, adults
and young adults, men and women, family, community development, biblical
studies and theology, social issues and ethics, worship and preaching and
more.  This work in process will be updated periodically and is available
at www.ncccusa.org/nmu/mce/africentricbibliography.html.

Services of worship for Christmas, New Years and Kwanzaa are among
Resources for Special Days in the Black Church, available on the NCC Web
site at www.ncccusa.org/nmu/mce/specialdays.html.

This collection also includes resources related to Lent and Easter and Women
s Day, and bulletin inserts on Holy Communion and on the African American
anthem Lift Every Voice and Sing.  A recipe for the Caribbean Christmas
beverage sorrel and an African American History Month resource round out the
collection.

The National Council of Churches is the nations leading ecumenical body,
through which 36 U.S. denominations comprising 50 million members work to
address peoples spiritual and social needs.

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

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