wfn.org | RCC 2000 Congress Will Be Marked by Diversity of Faiths

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Contact:  Kelly C. Martini
RCC 2000 Promotions Co-Chairperson
kmartini@gbgm-umc.org
(212) 870-2985

Faith Expressions Will be Marked by Diversity
by Suzy Heydel

         Enabling participants to become better communicators of their own 
religious beliefs and experience the diversity of other religious beliefs 
will be a major component of the Religious Communication Congress 2000 (RCC 
2000), the once-a-decade event, which is scheduled to take place in Chicago 
at the end of March 2000.
         "Diversity is what sets this congress apart," says Shirley 
Struchen, head of the RCC 2000 planning committee. " It is evidenced by the 
rich mix of faith traditions represented by the sponsors and planners, 
workshop leaders and speakers, and meeting site in Chicago, a city filled 
with religious variety."
         While growing with the many faith expressions within the congress, 
RCC 2000 participants may satisfy their personal spiritual needs by 
visiting the area's many churches, synagogues, temples and mosques. A 
meditation room will be available at the hotel for individual and small 
group prayer and reflection, and a chaplain will be on call 24-hours a day. 
For Christian participants, several nearby churches will offer weekday 
Lenten services.
"Learning more about other faith communities will be an added bonus for all 
of us as we are enriched with many faith stories," said Neil Topliffe, 
chairperson of the RCC 2000 Faith Expressions committee. "While the 
congress remains an opportunity to sharpen our skills, the diversity of 
faith leaders and participants will also enable us to be even better 
communicators of our religious traditions in North America."
         Every morning during RCC 2000, persons of diverse faiths will 
share their traditions through storytelling and reflection. The Thursday 
storyteller will be Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, who will engage participants in 
stories from the Jewish tradition. Gottlieb, currently serving Congregation 
Nahalot Shalom in Albuquerque, NM, is known throughout the southwest for 
her effective use of stories to open up the faith traditions to all ages.
         Friday will find Andy Frankel, a professional storyteller from 
Moundsville, WV, weaving the Hindu dawning of the creation story and 
engaging participants in their own understanding of creation. On Saturday 
morning, Kevin Locke, a Lakota storyteller and member of the Bahá'i 
International Community, will use his art and music to convey the Bahá'i 
principle of the oneness of humankind.
         As part of the daily Faith Expressions, Cynthia Winton-Henry and 
Phil Porter, co-directors of the Wing It! Performance Ensemble, will lead a 
troupe of performers in improvisational dance, story, song and music. 
Working through a variety of artistic mediums, they will distill the "Faith 
Stories" of the congress into visual forms that will nourish the wide cross 
section of cultures and religious practices.
         Singer, song leader and composer Ken Medema, internationally 
acclaimed musician and composer who has already created an original jingle 
for RCC 2000, will hold a special Thursday-night concert for RCC 2000 
participants. In addition, each day of the congress Medema will join 
Winton-Henry and Porter in weaving together and celebrating the "stories" 
of the day in music and meditation.
         RCC 2000 is the once-a-decade event for religion communicators 
that will take place in Chicago, Ill., on March 29-April 1.  Registration 
is limited.  Participants can save $50 if they register before January 1, 
2000.  For more information  or to register, go to www.RCC2000.org or call 
212-870-2985.

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Suzy Heydel is a freelance writer.