wfn.org | Ecumenical Vision, Other Business as NCCCUSA Assembly Ends

[CAROL.FOUKE@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News:
Web: www.ncccusa.org; New York office: 212-870-2227
NCC11/17/2000  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AS THE NCC’S NOVEMBER 14-17, 2000, GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDED ..

	November 17, 2000, ATLANTA, Ga. – As the National Council of
Churches’ annual General Assembly, held here Nov. 14-17, concluded,
the Assembly:

	- Called on the NCC’s 36 Protestant and Orthodox member denominations
to “commit themselves to participating, with Evangelical and
Pentecostal churches and with the Roman Catholic Church in a process of
discernment to ascertain what new national expression of Christian life,
faith and action the Holy Spirit may enable us to bring into being in which
we may be and act together.”

- Adopted statements on the “Conflict in the Middle East,”
“Vieques,” “AIDS in Africa” and “In Support of
Farm Workers Organizing in North Carolina.”

	The latter supports the Farm Labor Organizing Committee “in its
efforts to organize a union among North Carolina farm workers in order to
bring a greater measure of justice and dignity to those who work in the
agricultural industry,” commits the NCC to “a leadership role
among the churches,” and calls upon the Mt. Olive Pickle Company
“to come to the table with farm workers and enter into contract
negotiations with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.”

	It further asks that the NCC General Secretary, in consultation with
Agricultural Missions, appoint a team to facilitate and monitor the status
of contract negotiations between Mt. Olive and the Farm Labor Organizing
Committee and report to the Executive Board at their next meeting for
further action including endorsement of a boycott if necessary.”

	The “AIDS in Africa” initiative commits the NCC and General
Assembly to join “in prayerful covenant to dedicate ourselves to
compassionate concern for those people in Africa with HIV/AIDS and those who
live with and care for these people” and acknowledges the work of the
International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care and their support
groups.

	- Honored the NCC’s President, Andrew Young, along with several
outstanding ecumenical leaders and programs in Atlanta and across the United
States, with achievement awards.

	Details are available in the “General Assembly News and Documentation
Section” on the National Council of Churches’ Web site:
www.ncccusa.org.

-end-