By Cheryl Heckler-Feltz, New York Times Syndicate Writer,
Professor of Journalism—Miami University

Future NCC General Secretary Robert Edgar, left, and NCC President Andrew Young, right, meet with student volunteers from Miami University of Ohio.

November 13, 1999

CLEVELAND—Melissa wanted to talk about Martin Luther King, Jr.

Adeyemi addressed the plight of refugees coming into America.

Phaedra asked about the apathy of her peers.

And Megan asked Rev. Young and Dr. Edgar what they are really planning to do with their new roles.

I hauled a van full of my journalism students from Oxford, Ohio, up to Cleveland for the National Council of Churches' 50th Anniversary Celebration. Hoping simply to introduce them to the very serious work of religion reporting, I also got to introduce them to Rev. Andrew Young, former U.N. ambassador, former congressman and former mayor of Atlanta—and to Robert Edgar, president of the Claremont School of Theology and former six-term congressman from Philadelphia.

Through the generosity of the National Council of Churches' press office, my students had a private lunch with the NCC's new president and new general secretary.

In an hour-long, on-the-record luncheon, seven university students who plan to work one day in the fields of either journalism, law or media relations, covered with these two men a wide spectrum of subjects.

Melissa Titus, a senior journalism major, asked about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s relationship and legacy regarding the NCC.

It got us all to thinking: What would Martin Luther King, Jr. say today about the National Council of Churches' role in social justice and eliminating poverty? What would he say to his old friend Andy Young about his appointment to head the Council?

Young explained to the students that his first exposure to the work of NCC came in 1951 through its youth programs. He explained how the NCC helped save his life during the march in Selma by putting out a call for clergy and denominational leaders to step forth and march as well.

"We honestly figured that one of us would be killed that day, but that we had to march anyway," he said. But support came from prominent local clergy. "We never thought the Alabama State Guard would protect us as we marched, but we were sure they'd protect these guys."

Adeyemi Oshodi spent the morning talking to a refugee family who explained to her just how much help they received from churches in America as they fled Sierra Leone and a war that had already killed family members.

The daughter of a former Nigerian journalist, she asked Ambassador Young and Dr. Edgar, "Where will refugees be on your priority list?"

Rev. Young and Dr. Edgar explained all the ways NCC will address the issue, which included not only continuing to educate churches about the need but also getting the United States to pay its dues to the United Nations.

The students who attended also covered worship, forums, NCC General Assembly sessions, two news conferences and the installation of Ambassador Young as NCC president for 2000-2001. They included Adeyemi Oshodi, Phaedra Solomon, Megan Atkinson, Jon Sergent, Josh Knight, Andrea Cole and Melissa Titus.

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