November 13, 1999

CLEVELAND—Several impromptu interviews were conducted with participants in the NCC's 50th anniversary celebration in Cleveland, Ohio. They were asked how the ecumenical movement touches their lives and what their hopes are for ecumenism and/or the NCC in the 21st century. The old term "man on the street" doesn't fit these interviewees. Rather, we hope you will enjoy briefly meeting these "ecumenists on the street."

Ambassador Andrew Young

Ambassador Andrew Young, Atlanta, Ga., newly installed President of the National Council of Churches for the 2000-2001 term of office

"I think the NCC helped shape the last half of the 20th century. I would hope that we would shape the first half of the 21st century by helping America, at least, to see that poverty is immoral. We can put an end to poverty in America. It's the source of most of our problems. For us to become involved in helping to help the least of these, God's children, would pull us closer together."

The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry

The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry, Cleveland, Ohio, Immediate Past President of the United Church of Christ

"We need to create a body in which the fullness of creation is given expression and we see ourselves more fully as an inclusive body of faith—and in which everyone can see themselves as part of that group."

The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm

The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm, Indianapolis, Ind., General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

"I'd like to see the ecumenical movement inclusive of Evangelicals, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals ... and I would like to see it as sort of the mainstream of Christian faith. Instead of individual denominations being the first thing you think of when you think of church ... that the first thing you think of is 'those who confess Christ as Lord.'

"We can now reshape our institutions so that we build ministry around God's gifts to people instead of trying to fit people into needs of the institution."

The Rev. Wilma Taylor

The Rev. Wilma Taylor, Wilberforce, Ohio, African Methodist Episcopal Church

"I hope that in the 21st century the church will address real issues like poverty and come up with some real solutions. How is the NCC going to deal with marginalized groups? If we're serious about moving forward, we need to give a voice to those people who have none."

Marilyn Hormann, Episcopal lay person who was part of the 50th anniversary "volunteer corps"

"When I travel now, on any Sunday, I just go to a church. It doesn't matter which one, as long as God is being praised. My hope for the NCC is that it will go beyond ecumenism and become involved in interfaith work that will help with problems that we have today that no one group can help with."

The Rev. Dr. Geunhee Yu, Indianapolis, Ind., Director of Asian American Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

"Until several years ago, I thought that my denomination was the way to heaven. Now I try to understand and appreciate other faiths, communions and other theologies. I value difference, not only physical differences, but also spiritual and theological."

Father Joseph Wallace, Woodbury Heights, N.J., Ecumenical Director, Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden (N.J.)

"I hope to see [ecumenism] become more focused ... and an experience that filters down to the ordinary people in the pews, so that they feel ownership of it as well, and it's not just the realm of experts and scholars."

The Rev. David Baak

The Rev. David Baak, Grand Rapids, Mich., Executive Director, Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism

"The most dramatic time in my ecumenical life was in 1983 at the World Council in Vancouver. At the outside worship tent, there were 4,000 people who took part in an ecumenical communion. It gave me the energy to keep going—over 17 years now. It was truly a conversion moment. My hopes are that we will find a language that links many local expressions that are not tied together right now. The network needs one language."

The Rev. Robert E. Jones, Dayton, Ohio, College Hill Church, Miami Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

"I hope the NCC will continue to grow and place more emphasis on educating congregations on ecumenism."

Dr. Victor F. Wan-Tatah, Cameroon, Africa, Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Youngstown (Ohio) State University

"I wish the NCC broadens its membership and puts youth into leadership roles and addresses issues of minorities."

The Rev. Alice O'Donovan

The Rev. Alice O'Donovan, Tolland, Conn., Moderator, The Interfaith Assembly of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucuses and Affirming Organizations, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Visiting Nurse Association, East Hospice Care

"The important thing to me is the way we do mission. That's the place where we really bear witness to the presence of Christ. There are ways the lesbian and gay communities can be ecumenical that professional ecumenists cannot. We need to develop more and more mission that will require of us that we worship together in spirit and truth."

The Rev. Benjamin S. L. Chan

The Rev. Benjamin S. L. Chan, Philadelphia, Pa., Board of International Ministries, American Baptist Churches in the USA

"We are struggling with some mission issues in India. I've learned that we're not the only denomination that is facing those issues, so we can share those experiences. Maybe we can think of a form of networking—a project-oriented network—so we don't need a routine structure to maintain the relationships."

The Rev. Benjamin Musoke-Lubega, Detroit, Mich., Episcopal priest

"Ecumenism has enhanced my life by enabling me to network with people of different faiths—and value what they bring to the table because I believe that we have a lot in common. My hope is that in the 21st century, ecumenism will be inclusive of ethnic minorities and that they will be represented in decision-making."

The Rev. Brenda J. Moulton, Exeter, R.I., Pastor, a rural Rhode Island "Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists" congregation

"I'm not sure what the NCC structure will be in the future, but in the past, arms of the NCC have dealt with specific issues. I would like to see them establish something along the same lines of inclusion for gay and lesbian persons—something in structure—not just talking about it."