Does the River Still Burn? An Environmental Justice Tour
Tuesday, November 9, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

CROP WALK and Celebration of Life
Wednesday, November 10, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

General Assembly Business Sessions
Wednesday, November 10 to Friday, November 12

The Women's Caucus Luncheon
Wednesday, November 10, noon.

The Orthodox Delegates Caucus
Wednesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

Indigenous Peoples Caucus Dinner
Wednesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Caucus Prayer Breakfast
Thursday, November 11, 7:00 a.m.

The Racial/Ethnic Caucus Luncheon
Thursday, November 11, noon.

Equipping the Saints
Sunday, November 7 to Saturday, November 13

Does the River Still Burn? An Environmental Justice Tour

Tuesday, November 9, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Join us in a bus tour of the environmental degradation in Cleveland and the creative effort underway to respond to it. Many Christians are committed to healing and protecting God's creation. The efforts in Cleveland provide useful models to us as we address these concerns in our home communities. Tour leaves from the Convention Center.

CROP WALK and Celebration of Life

Wednesday, November 10, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Take a step toward a better world—join the Jubilee CROP WALK! Starting at the Convention Center, participants will make a short walk through the area—as a witness that, together, we can make a difference. Our WALK will be one of some 2,000 CROP WALKS in communities across the U.S. this year—events that raise funds to support life-sustaining programs locally and globally. The CROP WALK is a way of identifying with the poor who must walk long distances in their struggle to survive—for food—for the day's water supply—for firewood—for healthcare—and with our neighbors who walk to food pantries and meal programs in the United States. WALKERS will return to a lively musical Celebration of Life and other NCC birthday happenings. Participants will receive additional CROP WALK materials upon registering for this event.

General Assembly Business Sessions

Wednesday, November 10 to Friday, November 12

General Assembly business sessions, while shorter than normal because of the anniversary celebration, are a key part of the event. The NCC is an open-meeting organization, which means that visitors may observe its Assembly. Events throughout the week will provide an excellent orientation to the life of the NCC for new Assembly members who take office in 2000 and for all participants. In addition to business sessions (Wednesday, November 10, 1:30-4:30 p.m.; November 11, 10:00 a.m.-noon; November 12, 10:00-noon), the Assembly schedule includes the following caucus meetings:

The Women's Caucus Luncheon

Wednesday, November 10, noon.

The Rev. Emily Chandler, Ph.D., R.N., C.S., will address Health, Healing and Wholeness in Professional Church Life. Currently on the faculty of Massachusetts General Institute of Health Professions, Emily Chandler has long been active at the intersection of health and faith. As both a psychiatric nurse clinical specialist and a Presbyterian minister, she is committed to the blending of spirituality and well-being, a theme that is being developed by women working together through the NCC. The luncheon is sponsored by the NCC Women's Caucus, Women in Ministry and the Justice for Women Working Group.

The Orthodox Delegates Caucus

Wednesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

The Orthodox Delegates Caucus will be convened by the Orthodox Liaison Committee, which has an advisory capacity to the NCC General Secretary. Caucus members will discuss the Orthodox churches' ecumenical future and initiatives within the NCC, their response to the General Assembly agenda, the meaning for them of the 50th anniversary, matters related to Orthodox unity and the next Orthodox Consultation.

Indigenous Peoples Caucus Dinner

Wednesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

Although there are only a very few Indigenous persons who are members of the General Assembly, each of those members represents a particular and different nation. And each of these nations faces issues in today's world that are manifested in unique ways. The NCC's Indigenous Peoples Caucus, which meets formally for the first time this year, is conceived of as a way to address the great diversity of issues confronting Indigenous Peoples today—especially complex land issues. The caucus will meet with members of the Council on Native American Ministries, as well as with local Indigenous representatives, to identify from this diversity the common concerns that can be carried to the NCC's General Assembly.

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Caucus Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, November 11, 7:00 a.m.

Hosted by the Interfaith Alliance of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Caucuses, this event will explore and celebrate the contributions of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people in the lives of the communions that make up the NCC. The event also provides an opportunity for further dialogue on the full inclusion of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people in the life of the church.

The Racial/Ethnic Caucus Luncheon

Thursday, November 11, noon.

This event will celebrate past accomplishments and bring forth new leadership as we help the Council focus on charting a vision for the future. Program details are to be announced.

Equipping the Saints

Sunday, November 7 to Saturday, November 13

Equipping the Saints (Sunday, November 7, through Saturday noon, November 13) is a seminar designed for theological students and young pastors in the history, tradition and contemporary challenge of ecumenical thought and witness. From a base at nearby Notre Dame College of Ohio, participants will travel daily to anniversary events, which are central to this directed educational study.
      The Fund for Theological Education, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., is coordinating the seminar in collaboration with other theological education institutions. Registration is limited. Maximum fee is $350 per person. Travel to and from Cleveland is the responsibility of each participant. A separate seminar announcement and description, including financial details, will be available in August. For more information, contact Dr. Frank Lloyd Dent, 50th Anniversary Coordinator, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. Phone: 212-870-2368 Fax: 212-870-2817 E-mail: frankld@ncccusa.org