wfn.org | NCCCUSA Addresses Racism, Rebuilds Churches

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

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

NCC6/13/97  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IN PHASE II OF BURNED CHURCHES PROJECT, NCC ADDRESSES RACISM

 WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10 ----Stating that "we don't
want these new churches to simply become fuel for the next
arsonist," the National Council of Churches has launched the
second phase of its Burned Churches Project, an initiative
created to rebuild churches burned for reasons of hate and
to address racism in America.

 The new initiative - provisionally titled the National
Religious Partnership for Racial Justice - was announced by
the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, NCC General Secretary, at
a June 8-10 national convocation of religious and civic
leaders.  It will introduce an expanded, broad initiative
focused on developing a community dialogue to confront
issues of racism and racial justice.

 The convocation drew together 80 pastors from nearly 60
burned churches, along with as many other religious and
civic leaders, to celebrate work to stop the attacks on
houses of worship, rebuild churches and communities and
address racism.  It marked the first anniversary since 38
pastors of burned churches first came to Washington, D.C.,
one year earlier to draw national attention to the burnings.

 A "Partners in Achievement" banquet June 9 drew more
than 1,000 to recognize many of the countless individuals,
foundations, corporations, governmental bodies and
denominational, ecumenical and interfaith partners who have
rallied to the aid of the burned churches.  To date, the
Burned Churches Project has provided assistance f the
rebuilding of 90 churches.  Approximately 45 have been
completed and most of the rest are in process or planning to
break ground this summer.

 "The rebuilding effort of the Burned Churches Project
has demonstrated that people of all faiths and of all races
can come together and support one another in the larger
community of God and humanity," Dr. Campbell said.  "Coming
together to construct new houses of worship is just the
first step, though.

"While continuing to rebuild the churches is still very
important, the healing process also must address the deep-
seated problem of racial hatred that plagues many
communities.  Our goal is to create communities where
burning any house of worship is intolerable and universally
condemned."

Phase II, with the theme "Building Communities of
Hope," will include:

  A commitment to rebuild, within the next year, at least
30 more churches burned for reasons of hate.
  Partnerships with local and state initiatives to promote
racial justice and reconciliation.
  An emphasis on working with interfaith partners -
Christian, Jewish, Muslim and others - to coordinate
efforts to work toward racial justice.
  A partnership program with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to
equip pastors for community and public advocacy
leadership.
  Education on racism with younger white pastors through
the NCC's National Ministries Unit.
  Internet and website expansion for community building,
equipping the burned churches and others to participate
positively in the electronic community.
  White supremacy identification and community education
with the Kentucky Council of Churches.
  Employment skills training in computer service in
cooperation with the National Conference and the
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
  "Safe space" for city youth in Prince Georges County,
Md., through a local coalition of congregations.
  Cooperation with the America's Promise program in youth
mentoring through churches.
  Expanded participation in environmental justice programs,
especially sensitive to racial dimensions to
environmental damage.

 The program will include work to increase the religious
community's understanding and engagement with the
experiences of Native American, Hispanic and Asian
communities.

 Areas to be addressed will include "congregational
study on the biblical faith basis for reconciled communities
free of racism; maintaining and expanding educational and
workplace opportunities for Black and other minority
Americans with continuing support for effective "Affirmative
Action" policies; challenging all standards of social
responsibility that fall below or erode minimum provisions
for the poor; addressing economic and corporation leadership
on issues of discrimination and corrective action to
compensate for past actions and policies that reflect racial
bias, and building effective partnerships with private
sectors of life so that racism can be addressed
comprehensively."

 "We believe that the faith-based voice is essential to
achieving racial reconciliation," Dr. Campbell said.  "The
NCC supports President Clinton's leadership in focusing the
nation on racism and healing.  We encourage him to convene a
national summit on racial justice and reconciliation at a
time when our initiative on racism has prepared the nation
to embrace such an event productively."

 The June 8-10 convocation included several plenaries to
challenge and equip pastors for community action.  The Rev.
Dr. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition -
whose address brought his audience to a roaring standing
ovation before he had quite finished - urged the pastors to
"make the link between private faith and public policy."

 Other speakers offered tools and resources to encourage
corporations to be socially responsible, and to make their
voices heard on public policy and community issues.

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