wfn.org | Storyteller, ecumenical leader to address Disciples/UCC gathering

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

Date: January 23, 2001
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

Contacts:	
Clifford L. Willis	
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)	
Indianapolis, IN	
317-713-2494

Ron Buford
United Church of Christ
Cleveland, OH
216-736-2180

00b-5

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Messages by a Native American storyteller and a
Ghanaian ecumenical leader will highlight the General Synod/Assembly of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. 

	The July 13-17 event in Kansas City is the second "common gathering" of
the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ chief decision-making
bodies. The groups last jointly met in 1993 in St. Louis.

	Ray Buckley, a United Methodist and a Lakota/Tlingit, is director of his
denomination's Native American Office of Communications. A noted author,
Buckley will keynote evening worship July 14. Excerpts from his book, The
Give-Away, were highlighted during a December 1999 CBS television special,
"An American Christmas," which was produced by the United Church of
Christ.
	
	The Rev. Setri Nyomi is general secretary of the World Alliance of
Reformed Churches. His July 15 message will be accompanied by special music
from Grammy-nominated group, "Sweet Honey in the Rock." Nyomi is an
ordained minister of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. He most
recently served as a senior executive with the All Africa Council of
Churches.  

	Also addressing the combined Synod/Assembly will be the Revs. Mary Donovan
Turner and Zaida Perez. 

	Turner is Carl Patton associate professor of preaching at Pacific School
of Religion, Berkeley, Calif. She is highly regarded preacher and retreat
leader and has spoken in congregations, denomination and ecumenical
gatherings across the country. She will speak during opening night worship
July 13.Turner served several Disciples of Christ congregations prior to
beginning her seminary teaching career. 

	Perez is director of the Hispanic Theological Initiative, Princeton, N.J.,
funded by Pew Charitable Trusts. The United Church minister will preach for
closing worship July 17.  She most recently served as assistant professor
of historical theology at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico.

	Worship on July 16 will be lead by youth members of the Disciples of
Christ and United Church of Christ. 

	-- end --
		
Editors' note: Digital photos of the General Synod/Assembly speakers will
be sent as attached files.