wfn.org | Rev. Bill Genne, Former NCCCUSA Staffer, Dies

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: Wendy McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227
Internet: c/o carolf@ncccusa.org

NCC1/30/97                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REV. BILL GENN�, FORMER NCC DIRECTOR OF FAMILY 
MINISTRIES AND HUMAN SEXUALITY, DIES JAN. 28; 
REMEMBERED FOR PIONEERING WORK

 CLAREMONT, CALIF., Jan. 30 ---- The Rev. 
William H. Genn�, former National Council of 
Churches (NCC) Director of Family Ministries and 
Human Sexuality, died peacefully January 28 
surrounded by his family.  He was 86 years old.

 Rev. Genn�, an ordained minister in the United 
Church of Christ (UCC), served the NCC from 1957 to 
1975.  NCC staff members who knew Rev. Genn� 
remember his pioneering work in sexuality education 
in the church and his prolific production of family 
ministries resources.

 "He was on the cutting edge of sexuality 
education in the church," said Dr. Arthur Van Eck, 
former NCC Director for Bible Utilization and 
Translation, who also remembered that Rev. Genne was 
"widely connected with Catholic and Jewish family 
ministries leaders."  Among his many publications, 
Rev. Genn� co-authored a book on interfaith 
marriages with a Jewish rabbi and Catholic sister.

 Family and colleagues remember Rev. Genn� as a 
"gentle man but with strong convictions."  In spite 
of the controversy stirred by his emphasis on 
sexuality education, Dr. Van Eck said Rev. Genn� was 
"always willing to lend an understanding ear when 
denominations reported their difficulties."  Even 
when some in the Church resisted sexuality education 
with anger and insults, Rev. Genn� "never responded 
in kind."  According to Rev. Genn�'s youngest 
daughter, Susan Genn�, "he really lived by the sign 
I gave him to put on his desk which said, `Do 
everything with love.'"

Ms. Genn� highlighted her father's lifelong 
commitment to the ecumenical movement.  Stressing 
the involvement of her mother, Elizabeth Steel 
Genn�, Ms. Genn� pointed out that her parents were 
one of the few couples who led family life and sex 
education workshops throughout the country and 
around the world.  "They truly taught by example," 
Ms. Genn� says.

 Before coming to the NCC, Rev. Genn� had spent 
18 years in college chaplaincy and student work and 
worked 6 years with the Clare Elizabeth Fund for 
Maternal Health in Flint, Michigan.  Following his 
retirement, he and his wife served as Program 
Directors at Geneva Point Center in New Hampshire 
for ten years before moving to Pilgrim Place in 
Claremont, CA.
 
 Rev. Genn� is survived by Betty, his wife of 60 
years; four children; five grandchildren, and seven 
great grandchildren.  Memorial services will be held 
Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. in Kingman Chapel Claremont UCC 
and May 24 at Geneva Point Center in Center Harbor, 
NH.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests 
remembrances be sent to: Genn� Scholarship Fund, 
Geneva Point Center, HCR 62, Box 469, Center Harbor, 
NH 03226 or Pilgrim Place, 660 Avery Road, 
Claremont, CA 91711.

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