wfn.org | Education-Curriculum Report Emphasizes African Americans

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

19-June-1997 
GA97104 
 
        Education-Curriculum Report Emphasizes African Americans 
 
                          by Midge Mack 
 
SYRACUSE--African Americans will be taking their proper place in 
Presbyterian curriculum materials from now on since commissioners approved 
most of a referral from a 1995 commissioners' resolution. 
 
     In a first response to that resolution Moderator Marj Carpenter 
appointed a committee of African Americans to work on Christian Education 
from an African American Perspective. It is their report that was the basis 
of Congregational Ministries/GAC recommendations for this year's Assembly 
Committee on Christian Education and Denominational Curriculum. 
 
    African American presence will be included in all leadership programs 
and development of Christian Education resources with pictures, posters and 
stories reflecting African American experience, through the use of African 
American authors and illustrators and positive portrayal of African 
American families and children.   Presbyterian historical societies, 
colleges, seminaries and other bodies will be encouraged to do likewise. 
 
    Also approved was a mandate to find funds for development of these 
resources and for hiring an African American staff person who would 
specifically facilitate and promote African American curricula.  The 
committee did not recommend funds for a continuing consulting committee or 
leadership training at this time. 
 
    Overture 97 from Peace River Presbytery was initiated by the youth 
group of a Naples (Florida) church, and asked for annual, regional, 
spiritual, open-to-all youth conferences. Commissioners approved its 
amendment and referral to the Congregational Ministries division for 
consideration and direction to report to next year's Assembly. Youth 
publications will report its progress through the system. 
 
    Also approved was  the committee's expression of concern over the 
two-year delay in action on overture 95-46, and its request for  full 
accounting of a $50,000 budget approved in 1995 (but no longer available) 
for developing ministry tools and services for persons with disabilities. 
 
    An extensive consent agenda enabling administration of the Commitment 
to Peacemaking program was also approved. 

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