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October 16, 1997
Episcopal News Service
Jim Solheim, Director
212-922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

97-1982
Reviews & Resources                                                           

NCC invites congregations to environmental justice covenant
      (ENS) The National Council of Churches (NCC) is inviting local
congregations across the United States to make a promise to engage in
environmental ministries through worship, learning, lifestyle changes and
community involvement. "This `covenant congregation' program is
necessary if the church is to take the task of restoring and protecting
God's creation seriously," said the Rev. Richard Killmer, NCC
environmental justice program director. "As church people become more
aware of the challenge of environmental degradation, this is the ideal
time for recommitment to . . . environmental justice ministries," he said.
In the "Environmental Justice Covenant Congregation Program,"
congregations vote to covenant and then sign an official form. The
program provides ideas and resources to be used for worship, learning
and teaching, lifestyle considerations, and community, national and
global involvement. Environmental justice covenant congregations
packets have been sent to 6,300 recipients already, including
environmental justice coordinators and other pastors and laypeople who
have provided leadership around this issue. For a free copy of the packet,
contact Environmental Justice Resources, NCC, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart,
Indiana 46515, or call 800-726-0968 or 219-264-3102. For more
information about the program, contact the NCC's Environmental Justice
office at 212-870-2385.

ECTN to air conference on the nature of organizations 
      (ENS) Why do we try to solve organizational problems by
reaching for new structures, policies and roles? In these complex
structures we've created, what's happened to personal creativity,
commitment and passion? How can we create and lead organizations that
succeed in inspiring people to contribute far beyond current levels? These
questions and others will be addressed by Dr. Margaret Wheatley, a
leading organizational consultant and author of Leadership and the New
Science. According to Wheatley, we are capable of creating far more
effective and meaningful organizations if we can tap into people's desire
for connection to their work and if we rethink our beliefs about the very
nature of organizations. The Episcopal Cathedral Teleconferencing
Network (ECTN) will air Creating Organizations that Support Great
Work on Wednesday, November 19, 1997 at 1-4 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time. ECTN is also airing the teleconference Sharing Our Spiritual
Riches: living the wisdom of the world's religious traditions, on Sunday,
November 23, 1997, 5-6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. On January
10, 1998, ECTN will broadcast the installation of Bishop Frank T.
Griswold, III as the 25th Presiding Bishop. Call (800) 559-3286 to
register your downlink location or to find the downlink nearest to you.

`Burning Issues' conference to tackle sexuality debate
      (ENS) The Virginia Diocesan Center at Roslyn in Richmond,
Virginia, will host its third "Burning Issues" conference on the church's
sexuality debate, December 8-9. The conference theme is Gospel
Opportunity or Gospel Threat? The Church's Sexuality Debate. Speakers
include Dr. Louie Crew, co-founder of Integrity, a fellowship for gay
and lesbian Episcopalians; the Rev. Gray Temple, Jr., rector of St.
Patrick's Episcopal Church in Atlanta; Diane Knippers, director of the
Institute on Religion and Democracy and a board member of the
American Anglican Council (AAC); and Bishop James Stanton of Dallas,
president of the AAC. The conference is "an attempt to move the
conversation about sexuality from the legislative arena to one more
conducive to reason and dialogue and to raise the level of theological
discourse on these concerns," according to organizers. The fee for the
overnight conference is $85; the commuter rate is $65. For additional
conference information and registration, call 800-477-6296.

Sexual harassment and exploitation awareness videos available
      (ENS) Four videos on the subject of sexual harassment and sexual
exploitation are being recommended by Barbara Blodgett, pastoral
response coordinator for the Diocese of Connecticut. Ask Before You
Hug, a video featuring six vignettes that illustrate harassment in different
church scenarios, is available from Ecu-Film, 810 Twelfth Avenue
South, Nashville, TN, 37203. Understanding the Sexual Boundaries of
the Pastoral Relationship is a three-part video focusing on sexual
harassment, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. It is available from the
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis communications department,
612-291-4411. Reducing the Risk, a videotape and training manual, is
available from Church Law and Tax Report, P.O. Box 1098, Matthews,
NC 28106, 800-222-1840. Hear Their Cries, focusing on child abuse and
its impact, is available from the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and
Domestic Violence, 936 N. 34th Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98103.

Photographs available in this issue of ENS:

1. Episcopalians participate in Promise Keepers rally in Washington (97-
1976)
2. Washington National Cathedral site for installation of new presiding
bishop (97-1980)