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National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

NCC5/16/97      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTES FROM NCC'S NATIONAL MINISTRIES UNIT COMMITTEE 
MEETING

 NEW YORK, May 16 ---- The denominational 
delegates who govern the National Council of 
Churches' National Ministries Unit, meeting May 13-
14:

  Approved a proposed NCC "Policy Statement on 
Disabilities, the Body of Christ and the Wholeness 
of Society," and forwarded it for action by the 
NCC Executive Board.  The two-page proposed policy 
was prepared by the NCC Committee on Disabilities.  
The Rev. Dr. Norman W. Minard of Coram, N.Y., a 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, chaired 
that committee's Steering Committee while the 
policy was being developed.  He commented that the 
policy's call for full inclusion of people with 
disabilities in church and society is based on 
four theological principles, none of which singles 
out people with disabilities but, rather, affirm 
the worth of all people.

  Continued work on a proposed NCC policy on "The 
Churches and the Public Schools at the Close of 
the Twentieth Century," which advances measures to 
support public schooling.  The National Ministries 
Unit Committee will take final action on the 
proposed policy at its October meeting before 
forwarding it to the NCC Executive Board.

  Endorsed a request from its Eco-Justice Working 
Group asking the NCC and its member communions to 
be good stewards of resources by "using recycled, 
reclaimed or tree-free paper that is dioxin-free 
with a non-chlorine bleach whenever possible," 
using both sides of the page for all duplicating, 
and using soy ink whenever possible, and 
indicating on their letterhead the type of paper, 
bleach and ink used.

  Offered guidance to the National Ministries Unit 
as it plans "next steps" in its work against 
racism and for racial justice.  A National Council 
of Churches convocation in Washington, D.C., June 
8-10 will be a "watershed moment" as the NCC 
completes the first year of its Burned Churches 
Project and seeks to expand work against racism.

-more-

NMU NOTES
NCC5/16/97 - Page 2

  Examined the devastating impact of market-driven 
health care reform and welfare reform, especially 
on low income and immigrant people.  They called 
for establishment of an NCC Health Care Policy 
Task Force.  And they said the NCC, congregations 
and ecumenical organizations can make an important 
contribution by gathering and publishing data on 
how the reforms are affecting people.

  Heard a report from two executives of the Center 
for Democracy Studies in New York City, who are 
researching the Promise Keepers movement and its 
relationship with the Religious Right.

  Heard a report on the several ways that the NCC's 
National Ministries Unit is addressing the issue 
of violence.  These include training of Ecumenical 
Program for Urban Service/Americorps volunteers in 
conflict mediation and resolution; work against an 
increasing incidence of institutional violence 
against workers and the disenfranchised; prison 
ministry; violence prevention training for girls 
and women; research and resources to help 
children, congregations and children's advocates 
deal more effectively with violence in the lives 
of children, and publication this year, by 
Friendship Press, of resources under the theme: "A 
Call to Hope - Living as Christians in a Violent 
Society."

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