wfn.org | Sept. 10 "Voices of Faith" Forum at Congressional Black Caucus

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

Media Advisory/For Immediate Release

NCC, Reps. Rangel and Lewis to Hold "Great Voices of Faith" Forum at CBC
Legislative Conference Sept. 10

What:		

"Great Voices of Faith in a Time of Crisis," an interfaith forum with
prominent leaders from Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions to address
some of the most serious problems facing the nation. Held as part of the 34th
Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, religious leaders
will speak candidly about the moral, social and economic crises facing
America. Participants will receive resource materials and action items to
take back to their communities. 

Who:	

Sponsored by the National Council of Churches USA, Congressman Charles Rangel
(NY), and Congressman John Lewis (GA), this important and relevant event will
feature leading voices in the faith community. Confirmed speakers include:

- The Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. 
Pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church

- The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar
General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA, Former Member of
Congress

- Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. 
President, National Council of Churches USA, Bishop of the Fourth Episcopal
District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

- The Rev. Dr. Major L. Jemison 
President, Progressive National Baptist Convention

- Rabbi David Saperstein
Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

- Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Syeed 
Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America

- Bishop Vashti McKenzie 
Presiding Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church

When & Where:

9 a.m. to Noon Friday, September 10, 2004, Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1225
R Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Why:	

Poverty, lack of health care, substandard education system, racial injustice,
terrorism, the war in Iraq, genocide in the Sudan and America's dependence on
oil are just a few of the issues challenging our communities.  Our nation is
in dire need of the highest moral guidance as the world situation grows more
perilous each day. This forum will provide an opportunity for those concerned
about America's future to hear words of wisdom and inspiration and be
empowered to act by leaders who refuse to be silent at this critical time in
our nation's history.

Contact:	

For more information, call Leslie Tune, National Council of Churches, (202)
297-2191 (cell) or (202) 544-2350, ext. 11