Articles

World Council of Churches' U.S. Conference Highlights U.S. Churches' Peacemaking Efforts

Faith And The City e.Letter
September 29, 2004

To "expose and inspire" the U.S. churches' witness to "the power and promise of peace" is the aim of events scheduled for Oct. 2-7 in Atlanta, associated with the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

"The power and promise of peace" is the theme of the 2004 U.S. focus of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV). The U.S. Conference is the main platform of the organization's 34 member churches in the United States. The Annual Meeting is expected to gather hundreds of church leaders and ecumenical activists from the U.S. and other countries.

Events associated with the Annual Meeting (Oct. 5-6) include a keynote address by WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and videotaped messages from prominent ecumenical personalities working with the DOV in other regions.

Featured key personalities include former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Rev. Andrew Young, King Center President and CEO Martin Luther King III, and WCC President for North America Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson.

"Blessed Are The Peacemakers Awards" will be presented to U.S. individuals and organizations for their creative and courageous peace and justice efforts in their communities.

According to the moderator of the U.S. Conference, Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, the event's theme is particularly relevant as Christians nationwide react to tragedies and conflicts in the world. "Rarely has the world so needed the Christian witness of peace," he said. "The experience of prayer for all those who suffer from violence makes the theme of our meeting, the power and promise of peace, all the more urgent."

The program offers a range of worship events, workshops, discussions, and exhibits to give participants from churches, theological institutions, schools, youth groups, peace groups, interfaith and secular organizations a special opportunity to reflect on and share what they have done over the year to overcome violence.

The program of the U.S. Conference will include:

• Spirituality, Non-Violence and Reconciliation Retreat (Oct. 2-4)
  Black Church Liaison Committee (Oct. 4)
• Reception for Alumni and Friends of Bossey (Ecumenical Institute near Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 4)
• Workshops and Panel Discussions (More than 20 events on range of issues, Oct. 5-6 – Free and Open to Public)
• Art Exhibit on lives and principles of Gandhi, King, and Daisaku Ikeda (Oct. 5-6)
• Jazz Vespers with Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews (8 p.m., Oct. 5 – Free and Open to Public)
• Closing ceremonyat Ebenezer Baptist Church featuring music, liturgical dance, address by Andrew Young, and presentation of "Blessed Are The Peacemakers Awards." (Oct. 6 – Free and Open to Public)
• Stewards' Program invites young American Christians to serve as stewards for the event.

A fellowship of churches inaugurated in 1948, today the WCC brings together over 340 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches in over 100 countries, representing more than 550 million Christians. Although not a member church, the Roman Catholic Church works cooperatively with the WCC.

For more information on the WCC, visit http://www.wcc-coe.org

For more information on the WCC U.S. Conference and the Annual Meeting in Atlanta, visit http://www.wcc-usa.org or call 404.209.7705.