November 12, 1999

CLEVELAND—"Now we can announce to the world that we have a voice, a vision and a victory! Thank you, God, for Andrew Jackson Young."

With that ringing affirmation, the Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., Senior Pastor of Oliver Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, concluded his sermon at the service of worship and installation of the NCC’s officers for the next four years, including Ambassador Andrew Young as President. Twelve hundred worshipers crowded into the ticket-only service, held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. It was the first time a National Council installation had taken place in a Roman Catholic church.

We are glad "to share this sacred space with our Christian brothers and sisters," said Cleveland Bishop the Most Rev. Anthony M. Pilla. "Please note how welcome you are in this house of God."

Dr. Moss based his sermon on Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." Every age cries out for a voice, he said. Sometimes silence can be creative, he said, "as when we learn the difference between arrogance and wisdom." But sometimes silence can be sinful, he added, "as in the face of human agony and human injustice."

Then the congregation applauded as he added, "It is a sin to be silent when we have a budget surplus but we need a lottery to finance our children’s education."

After his sermon, Dr. Moss surprised the congregation by introducing the Rev. Jesse Jackson. In his remarks, the Rev. Jackson praised the role of NCC General Secretary the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell in making possible the release of the three hostages from Kosovo. In praising his long-time colleague, Andrew Young, the Rev. Jackson said, "Andrew Young is part of the glue that holds this world together." He then listed many countries in which Ambassador Young’s presence has made a difference in the fight for peace and justice.

The service began with a representative of each of the Council’s 35 member communions lighting a candle from a common candle. It included prayers and music from many different traditions, including hymns from Beethoven ("Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"), Fannie Jane Crosby ("Blessed Assurance") and James Weldon Johnson ("Lift Every Voice and Sing").

The installation itself took place under the vaulted ceiling of golden stars on a blue background, as outgoing NCC President the Rt. Rev. Craig Anderson of the Episcopal Church asked the constitutional questions of the officers and draped a pectoral cross, a symbol of the office of president, over Ambassador Young’s shoulders.

The two-hour service concluded with a rollicking recessional under the high Gothic arches as the 75-voice choir from Shaker Heights High School led the congregation in many verses of "Siyahamba," a South African hymn.

The evening concluded with a celebrative 50th anniversary banquet in the ballroom of Cleveland’s Renaissance Hotel on Public Square. Nearly one thousand dinner guests enjoyed stories about a young Andy Young as Dorothy Cotton, former co-director with him of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, alternated anecdotes with bursting into song and enticing the audience to join in with their own clapping and singing. Santita Jackson, daughter of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, stirred souls with her singing of "If I Can Help Somebody" and "I Don’t Know about Tomorrow."

A video, "Unity in Christ: Gift and Calling," produced and narrated for the NCC’s 50th anniversary by Roy Lloyd, evoked both pride in the past and the promise of the future for the country’s largest ecumenical organization.

"I don’t know what the future holds for us," Ambassador Young said during his brief remarks, "but the truth is, we don’t hold the future."

"There is a kind of transcendent connection to this ecumenical process which we sometimes forget," he reminded those present. "This is a resurrection faith—not just in the by-and-by but in the here and now."

"I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stand with you," he concluded. "I look forward to moving with you as the Holy Spirit moves us into the 21st century."

The four-day 50th anniversary celebration ends Friday noon after the concluding General Assembly Business Session and two forums: one on the church in the city and the other on faith-based organizing.

Young's priorities: ending poverty, responding to youth, broadening NCC membership