(NCC News) Media Advisory -- Ecumenical Work Week news conference 8/22/07
New York City, August 15, 2007--From the day Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States almost two years ago, churches have been at the forefront of the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Religious leaders and community leaders will hold a news conference on the steps of the historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans, La., during an Ecumenical Work Week marking the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
The National Council of Churches (NCC) USA's Special Commission for the Just Re-building of the Gulf Coast is sponsoring the Aug. 19-25 work week. Bishop Thomas Hoyt, co-chair of the Special Commission and immediate past president of the NCC, will join Ecumenical Work Week participants. They will release information about the contributions churches have made to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, even as they help four families get back into their homes and help restore Beecher Memorial United Church of Christ which was badly damaged during the storm.
The offices of the governor of Louisiana, mayor of New Orleans, Congressional Representatives and Senators have been invited to attend.
The Ecumenical Work Week will open with orientation on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. Participants from across the country have signed up to work. The closing prayer service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where Rev. Patrick Keen serves as pastor.
The news conference will be held Wednesday, August 22, at 2:30pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1823 Washington Ave., New Orleans, which is hosting the group for the week.
Media contact person: Minister Tronn Moller, NCC's Gulf Coast Consultant, 504.701.6478.
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The National Council of Churches USA is the ecumenical voice of 35 of America's Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These NCC denominations have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states.
NCC News contact: Dan Webster, 212.870.2252, NCCnews@ncccusa.org
Latest NCC News at www.councilofchurches.org
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