wfn.org | Assembly Approves Principles for Interfaith Dialogue

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99092 
25-June-1999 
 
       Assembly Approves Principles for Interfaith Dialogue 
 
 
FORT WORTH-The Assembly Wednesday approved "Presbyterian Principles for 
Interfaith Dialogue."  The Assembly amended the principles to "clarify and 
emphasize what they say about the person and work of Jesus Christ," 
according to Florence McKelvey, moderator of the Assembly Committee on 
Catholicity and Ecumenical Partnership. 
     The Assembly added language specifying that God is the "Redeemer" of 
the world, not just its "Creator and Sustainer."  The original "Principles" 
called Jesus "the standard through whom we recognize God."  The Assembly 
replaced this with the statement, "we look to the life, death, and 
resurrection of Jesus as the unique and sufficient revelation of God's 
love, grace, truth, power, and righteousness.  Jesus is Lord and Savior."   
     The Assembly also approved a series of recommendations brought by its 
delegation to the Eighth Assembly of the World Council of Churches.  The 
Assembly voted to "review, renew, and strengthen" the denomination's 
historical commitment to work ecumenically.  It also voted to "increase 
acts and programs of solidarity with women," particularly "in the struggle 
against sexual exploitation and violence."  It further agreed to 
"strengthen commitments to Africa" and "renew efforts to understand [and 
address] the causes of poverty." 
     The Assembly also voted to establish a General Assembly Committee on 
Ecumenical Relations.  McKelvey noted that instead of several separate 
bodies in different structures handling ecumenical relations, "there would 
be one committee."  She further stated that the new committee "will be a 
committee of the General Assembly, reporting neither to the Office of the 
General Assembly nor to the General Assembly Council but to the General 
Assembly itself." 
     The Assembly recognized the recipients of the 1999 Ecumenical Service 
Recognition Awards:  the Presbytery of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.; the 
Presbytery of Louisville, Louisville, Ky.; Presbytery of Utica, Utica, 
N.Y.; and the session of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake, Iowa. 
     The Assembly also elected its delegation to the National Council of 
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. for 2000-2003.  Delegates include: Clifton 
Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Louisville, Ky.; John 
Deterrick, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, Louisville, 
Ky.; Philip Butin, Albuquerque, N.M.; Roberto Delgado, Denton, Texas; 
Bettie Durrah, Atlanta, Ga.; and Roberta Hestenes, Solana Beach, Calif. 
     Also, Janet Leng, Tacoma, Wash.; Sandy Peirce, Placerville, Calif.; 
Robert Williamson, Seymour, Tenn.; R. David Ruth; Margaret J. Thomas, 
Bloomington, Minn.; Julie Walkup; and Carrie Washington, Bloomfield, N.J. 
Alternates are Will Coleman, Decatur, Ga., and Gordon Webster, Spencerport, 
N.Y. 
  
Peggy Rounseville 

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