wfn.org | Former UCC President to Lead NCC's Anti-Poverty Work in 2003-4

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

Former UCC President To Lead NCCs Anti-Poverty Work in 2003-2004

November 13, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry, one of this
countrys most distinguished clergy, who led the United Church of Christ as
President until his retirement in 1999, has agreed to lead the National
Council of Churches Mobilization to Overcome Poverty.	His one-year
appointment is in cooperation with the Center for Community Change, with
which he also will continue to serve as a consultant.

His appointment was announced to the NCCs General Assembly during its
meeting in Jackson, Miss., Nov. 4-6.

Dr. Sherry has been committed to working for economic and social justice
most of his adult life. His service with the Council will mark a
continuation of his active engagement in finding ways to improve the
conditions for poor and disenfranchised people.

Since leaving the UCC Presidents office, Dr. Sherry has been working with
the National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support, a project of the Center
for Community Change.  He is also the secretary-treasurer of the National
Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and is related to a number of other
organizations that deal with economic and social justice issues.

Regarding the work he will do for NCC, Dr. Sherry says, I am very pleased
to assume this responsibility. Work along side of and on behalf of the poor
is at the very heart of our faith. It is my hope that together we can
address the economic injustices that impact the lives of so many and by so
doing help shape a society more in accord with God's desire.

According to NCC General Secretary Dr. Bob Edgar, the Council is blessed to
have someone as passionate as Dr. Sherry to organize its efforts to overcome
poverty. Im thrilled and excited to have someone of his qualifications and
stature to take the time, energy and effort to assist us in being relevant
and effective in our work to end poverty. We are grateful to the Center for
Community Change for helping make Paul available to us.

The NCC-which is currently engaged in a multi-year Poverty Mobilization
effort-seeks to lift up best practices in the struggle against poverty,
change common wisdom about the inevitability of poverty, and partner with
other anti-poverty organizations for collaboration in education, advocacy
and service.

As the Special Assistant to the General Secretary, Dr. Sherry will serve as
a link to state organizations; organize all of NCCs efforts to give poor
people more access to a better quality of life; work in cooperation with the
Center for Community Change and other anti-poverty agencies, and help
develop the Benefit Bank-a web-based system designed by the NCC and
Solutions for Progess that allows people with low incomes (using a coach) to
calculate and file for all the benefits for which they are entitled at the
same time.

Born in Tamaqua, Penn., Dr. Sherry received his master of divinity and
doctorate degrees from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.  He also
has a bachelors degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.
His career has included service as a pastor, author, religious television
and radio program host and church president.  He also served as Executive
Director of the Community Renewal Society in Chicago before his election as
President of the United Church of Christ in 1989.

Dr. Sherry holds eight honorary degrees from institutions across the United
States and abroad for his work in this area, including degrees from Chicago
Theological Seminary, Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., the Reformed
Theological Academy in Debracan, Hungary, and Eden Theological Seminary in
Webster Groves, Mo.

Dr. Sherry is married to Mary Louise Thornburg. They have two adult children
and four grandchildren.

-end-

NCC Media Contact: 212-870-2227; news@ncccusa.org
Photo Available: Download from www.ncccusa.org/news/03sherryhires.html

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