wfn.org | United Church of Christ elects new leadership

["Disciples Off. of Communication"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: July 22, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-50

	PROVIDENCE, R.I. (DNS) -- A former ecumenical representative to the 
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Board has been elected 
as the leader of the United Church of Christ.

	The Rev. John H. Thomas received an overwhelming endorsement by the 
General Synod, July 5, to become general minister and president of 
the Cleveland-based denomination. He succeeds retiring UCC President 
Paul H. Sherry. Thomas has served for the last seven years as 
ecumenical officer for the United Church of Christ.

	In the new post, Thomas and four colleagues will form a Collegium of 
Officers that will guide the United Church of Christ through a 
complete restructure of its national setting. This setting, which 
calls for the officers to work as peers, is designed to provide an 
opportunity for mutual responsibility and reporting, as well as 
ongoing assessment of UCC programs.

	Also elected were: Edith A. Guffey, currently secretary of the UCC, 
who will be associate general minister; the Rev. José A. "Joe" 
Malayang, presently a United Church Board for Homeland Ministries 
executive, named executive minister of Local Church Ministries; Dale 
L. Bishop, acting executive vice president of the United Church Board 
for World Ministries, appointed executive minister of Wider Church 
Ministries; and Bernice Powell Jackson, head of the UCC's Commission 
for Racial Justice, designated executive minister of Justice and 
Witness Ministries.

	Thomas and Malayang both were elected for two years and will be 
eligible to serve two additional four-year terms if renominated and 
elected by General Synod. Jackson was elected for six years and may 
be elected to another term of four years. Guffey and Bishop were 
elected for four-year terms and will be eligible to serve two more 
four-year terms. 

	Following the election, Thomas said, "I look forward to joining my 
colleagues in a new style of leadership in the UCC as we seek to 
carry forward the historic commitments of our church into the 21st 
century."

	Those commitments include the UCC's ecumenical partnership with the 
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Thomas, Bishop, Guffey and 
Powell, in particular, bring rich experiences of past work with 
Disciples leaders to the partner relationship. Those experiences 
include very warm personal friendships, "that will be important as we 
move ahead," said Thomas.

	Newcomer Joe Malayang, named to the local church ministries post, 
said the new leadership arrangement calls for even more ecumenical 
partnerships. "The UCC is still very serious with its very ecumenical 
enterprise," he said.

	The new officers were installed during closing worship July 6. A 
highlight of the service was a "ritual of giveaway" adapted from a 
Native American custom. Representatives from existing 
instrumentalities (church agencies) gave symbolic gifts to the 
officers-elect of the new covenanted ministries. Quilts, sculptures 
and historic carvings, communion plates, an original poster—and even 
estate bequest records—were handed over, each with good wishes and an 
explanation of the symbolism of the gift.

	The ceremony symbolized both the rich heritage of existing UCC 
mission agencies—some with a history dating to the 18th century—and 
the continuity of the UCC's traditions of prophecy, witness and 
ministry as the new ministries begin their work in the year 2000.
 
	"Isn't this a good time to be the church?" asked the Rev. Michael 
Kinnamon in a closing message before General Synod 22. He is 
professor of theology and ecumenical studies at Disciples-related 
Lexington (Ky.) Theological Seminary. 

	For nearly two centuries, the church generally defined mission as 
"that which we pay someone to do for us among 'those people over 
there,'" he observed. But in the waning days of the 20th century the 
church is learning "again that all congregations are missionary 
communities," said Kinnamon.

	"There is, in my experience, a new resolve to teach the biblical 
story to ourselves and our children," said Kinnamon. The church is 
learning to be inclusive. It's beginning to repent of racism, sexism 
and homophobia. It is discovering a prophetic voice. For all those 
reasons "isn't this a great time to be the church?" Kinnamon asked 
repeatedly as delegates shouted "yes!" and "Amen!"

	The Disciples ecumenist preached on the themes of freedom and unity, 
suggesting that they are, at times, pitted against one another. But 
they, too, are inseparable gifts of grace. "If we would be an 
ecumenical people, then we will work for freedom. If we would be a 
freedom-oriented people, then we will live in unity. Freedom will 
lead to fragmentation and chaos unless it is coupled with a 
recognition of our given unity," said Kinnamon.

	In a world filled with oppression, the church must be passionate 
about the gift of freedom. In a physically and spiritually fragmented 
world, the church must be passionate about the gift of unity, 
Kinnamon said. "When I think of the United Church of Christ, a theme 
from a past World Council of Churches assembly comes immediately to 
mind: 'Jesus Christ frees and unites.' This must be our passionate 
witness for such a time as this," he concluded.

                                     	-- end --