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NCC 2003 News Service Archives

Look here for links to NCC 2003 news releases that are no longer among the 25 most recent. JANUARY 2003

January 3, 2003 -- NCC-Led Religious Leaders' Mission to Iraq Concludes

January 3, 2003 -- Statement by Religious Leaders' Mission to Iraq

January 20, 2003 -- 'We Can Still Stop This War' - Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Service Draws 3,200 to Washington National Cathedral; Peace March Follows

January 23, 2003 - NCC General Secretary Calls for Fasting, Prayers for Peace Jan. 27

January 28, 2003 -- NCC General Secretary Dr. Bob Edgar Reflects on "State of the Union" 2003

January 28, 2003 -- In Afghanistan's Shomali Valley, Church World Service Rebuilds Homes -- And Hope

Related Stories: Afghanistan Changes, But Many Problems Remain: Index to CWS Stories on the Afghanistan Crisis

January 29, 2003, Pasadena, CA - Plans for 'Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A.' Move from Vision Toward Reality

January 31, 2003, New York City -- 49 U.S. Religious Leaders Ask Urgent Meeting with President Bush on Iraq

FEBRUARY 2003

February 3, 2003, Berlin, Germany -- U.S., European Churches to Discuss Common Response to Iraq Crisis

February 5, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- Justice for Haitian Refugees Becomes Rallying Cry

February 5, 2003, Berlin, Germany -- In Berlin, NCC Delegation Meets With Church Leaders From Europe and Middle East, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

February 7, 2003 -- Iraqis Face Enormous Human Disaster if There's War, Says Church World Service Executive Director McCullough

February 7, 2003 -- Iraq Crisis: U.S. Ecumenical Leaders Go to Paris for Meetings

February 11, 2003 -- NCC Delegation in Paris Feb. 10-11 Surprises France with U.S. Church Opposition to War

February 13, 2003 -- Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter Endorse "All Our Children" Campaign; Ecumenical Effort Seeks $1 Million for Health Assistance for Iraqi Children

February 14, 2003, New York - NCC's Oscar Bolioli 'Retires,' Returns to His Native Uruguay to Head Methodist Church

February 17, 2003, London -- Tuesday Meeting with Blair on U.S. Christian Leaders' London Schedule

February 18, 2003, London  -- U.S. Church Leaders Take Their Message of Peace to London's Downing Street, Meet with Tony Blair

February 25, 2003, Portland, OR -- U.S. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Honors NCC President Huszagh

February 27, 2003, Washington, DC - International Church Leaders Plead for Peaceful Solution to Iraq Crisis

February 27, 2003, Rome -- U.S. Church Leaders, in Rome, Ask Pope to Address U.N. Security Council

MARCH

March 1, 2003 -- NCC Poverty March 2003 Now Underway; Web Resources Offer Facts, Ideas, Success Stories

March 2, 2003, San Francisco - Many Faiths, Joined Together for Prayer in San Francisco, Call for End to Unjust War on Iraq -- and on America's Poor

March 4, 2003, Moscow - NCC Delegations Complete Five-Nation Round Of Visits With Pope, Key European Leaders To read more, click these links:  Berlin | Paris | London | Rome

March 5, 2003 - White House Answers 'No' to Jan. 30 Letter Asking Bush Visit, Signed by 50 U.S. Church Leaders
Read church leaders' letter.

March 7, 2003, New York -- At Lent, NCC Takes Up Concerns of Florida Farm Workers, Helps Persuade Workers to End Hunger Strike Outside Taco Bell Headquarters

March 10-16, 2003 - NCC, Many Other Faith Groups Observe 'Cover the Uninsured Week,' March 10-16, 2003

March 11-14, 2003, Chicago  - National SCUPE Congress March 11-14 Focuses on How People of Faith Can Help End Poverty

March 12, 2003, New York -- Religious Leaders Hopeful on Raising National Awareness of Health Insurance Crisis

March 16, 2003, 7 p.m. - 6,800 Candlelighting Vigils Held in 140 Countries; Concert, Rally Draw 4,000+ to Lincoln Memorial

March 19, 2003, - Church World Service Board of Directors 3/19 Opposes Iraq War, Promises Humanitarian Aid

March 22, 2003, New York - As War Begins, CWS Accelerates Longstanding Relief to Iraqis

March 24, 2003, New York - Heads of NCC, Two Muslim Organizations Issue Joint Statement on Iraq

March 25, 2003, New York - As the War Begins, Interfaith Forum Explores 'Resistance and Reconciliation'

March 31, 2003 -- NCC Faith and Order Commission Studies Rich Range of Issues

March 31, 2003, AMMAN, JORDAN - Shipment of Soap for Pediatric Hospitals Arrives in Baghdad Today; Second Round of ‘All Our Children’ Supplies to Benefit Nearly 15,000 Iraqi Children

March 31, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- Leslie C. Tune Named New Communication Officer in the NCC/CWS Washington Office

APRIL 2003

April 3, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Church World Service Sends Urgently Needed Food Aid to North Korea; NCC, CWS Seek to Address U.S.-Korea Tensions and Thus Stave Off a Greater Humanitarian Crisis

April 4, 2003, New York City -- NCC Launches Search for Two Key Positions, in Administration/ Finance, Interfaith Relations

April 8, 2003, Amman, JORDAN - U.S. Church Support Critical in "All Our Children" Effort, Coordinator Says

April 8, 2003, Amman, JORDAN - Third Shipment for Iraqi Pediatrics Hospitals Ready in Jordan

April 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Hungry North Korean Mothers, Children Benefit from Church World Service Donation of Flour

April 12, 2003, AMMAN, JORDAN - Third 'All Our Children' Shipment Crosses Into Iraq; NCC, CWS Support Campaign for Iraqi Child Health

April 14, 2003, CHICAGO - NCC/CWS Consultation Takes Steps to Address Korea Crisis

April 15, 2003, SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- A Vision of Peace in a Time of War: The Need for a Peace-Centered Foreign Policy, by the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches

April 16, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Peace Talks, Ceasefire, Humanitarian Aid Crucial for Liberia, CWS Says

April 17, 2003, AMMAN, Jordan  -- Third "All Our Children" Shipment Reaches Baghdad's Outskirts; Is Being Distributed in the City Little by Little as Security Allows

April 24, 2003, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- "Faith and the Environment" -- Address to the Religion Communicators Council National Conference by Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches

April 26, 2003, Indianapolis, Ind. -- Religion Communicators Council's 2003 'Wilbur Awards' Honor Secular Media For Presenting Religious Values

April 29, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos Named to Lead NCC International Affairs and Peace Work

April 30, 2003, CHICAGO -- As President Prepares to Announce War's End, Muslim, Christian and Jewish Leaders Release Joint Declaration Issuing Guidelines to Peace; Call on President to "Draw Back from First Strike War"

MAY 2003

May 2, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar's Statement on the Death of Episcopal Church Bishop Paul Moore, Jr.

May 2, 2003 -- May 2 Religious Leaders' Ad in The New York Times in Support of The United Nations

May 9, 2003, BAGHDAD -- War Against Disease, Hunger Continues for Iraqis, Especially Children, Church World Service Representative Reports Following Baghdad Visit; If health situation doesn't improve soon, more children under five could die, say humanitarian agencies

May 14, 2003 -- U.S. Church Leaders Urge Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Take Bold Steps for Peace

May 22, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC General Secretary Heads to Middle East for Post-War Meetings

May 23, 2003 -- NCC Faith and Order Commission Response to "Petrine Ministry: A Working Draft"

May 27, 2003 -- New FCC Ruling Opens Floodgates for Corporate Ownership of Local, National Media; NCC Communication Commission Joins Protests

May 28, 2003, AMMAN, JORDAN -- In First Meeting Since Saddam Hussein Came to Power, Shi'ite, Sunni and Christian Leaders Issue Call For Common Action on Peace, Just Society in Iraq

May 30, 2003, DENVER, CO & PHOENIX, AZ – First Somali Bantu Refugee Families Arrive in U.S.;
Church World Service To Resettle 900+ In 13 U.S. Cities

JUNE 2003

June 5, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Moderate Christian Voice Crucial for Middle East Peace, Edgar Says

June 6, 2002, NEW YORK CITY -- Active U.S. Role, Humanitarian Aid Urgent For Liberia, CWS Says

June 10, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- CWS Writes U.S. State Department as Liberians' Cries for Help Get Louder; Second CWS Aid Airlift Reaches Liberia for Distribution as Soon as Security is Assured

June 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY --  "A World to Share: Religious Perspectives on Saving the Environment to be Broadcast Sunday, June 22, on the CBS Television Network

June 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC's Friendship Press Transfers "Peters Map" to New Distributor, Envisions Expanded Market

June 12, 2003, WASHINGTON -- June 16-18 Conference To Call For A "Roadmap" For Korea

June 16, 2003, WASHINGTON -- Sense of Danger, Hope Mark Opening Session of NCC/CWS-Led Consultation on the Korea Crisis

June 18, 2003, WASHINGTON -- Korean and U.S. Religious Leaders Join to Address Korea Crisis (Includes Consultation's Closing Statement)

June 19, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- Letter to President George W. Bush from Religious Leaders Urging Passage of the Child Tax Credit Benefits Legislation

June 25, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- Biotechnology Industry Organization and the National Council of Churches Promote "Active and Informed Public Debate" on Bioethics Issues

June 26, 2003, Washington, D.C. - Christian Leaders Continue to Pressure President to Intervene on Child Tax Credit Benefit

JULY 2003

July 10, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- NCC Joins Other Faith Communities, Drug Czar, White House to Prevent Teen Drug Use with Brenda Girton-Mitchell's July 10 Statement About Teens and Drugs

July 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - With Medicine, Medical Equipment, Hospital Beds, Books and Fresh Foods, All Our Children Campaign Continues to Meet Health Needs of Young Iraqis

July 11, 2003, Statement: NCC-USA Urges President Bush to Send Peacekeeping Forces to Liberia

July 18, 2003, NEW YORK CITY: NCC Issues Plea for Nonviolence in the Middle East

July 25, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Leaders of National Council of Churches, Church World Service Praise President Bush's Commitment to Fight AIDS in Africa, Offer Assistance of Faith-Based Organizations; Congress Urged to Allocate Funds Necessary to Make a 'Decisive Difference' for Africa

July 31, 2003, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Denounce Attempts to Make Religion an Issue in the Consideration of Judicial Nominees, Faith Leaders Urge President Bush

AUGUST 2003

August 4, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC Takes Greetings to Brazil Meeting of Theologians, Other Church Workers

August 20, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC 'Deeply Grieved' at Attacks on U.N.'s Iraq Headquarters, Jerusalem Bus

August 21, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- New NCC Stewards Program Offers Young Adults Ecumenical Experience

August 22, 2003, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Interfaith Prayer Vigil August 22 Launches 40th Anniversary of 'March on Washington'

August 23, 2003 -- Resources for Labor Day weekend religious observances from the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice

SEPTEMBER 2003

September 10, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- For a Prosperous, Stable Iraq, Meet Its Humanitarian Needs, All Our Children Coordinator Says; Private Aid is Crucial

September 18, 2003, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend' Planned for Oct. 24-26

September 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Remembering September 11, 2001

September 12, 2003, AMERICUS, Ga. -- Habitat for Humanity's 'Building on Faith' Week Sept. 14+ Unites Faith Groups in Prayer, Action

September 16, 2003, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Advocates Hail Senate's Rejection of FCC Effort to Relax Media Ownership Regulations

September 20, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Video 'Korea's Hope' features PCUSA's Dr. Syngman Rhee, NCC/CWS Korea Consultation

September 24, 2003, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- People with Disabilities Need More Than 'Ramps and Curb Cuts' Is Key Message of NCC Event at Calvin Seminary Sept. 24-27

September 25, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- 'Peacemakers,' An Interfaith Religion Special About the People Who Work to Stop Wars, to Be Broadcast October 12 on CBS Television Network

September 25, 2003, HARTFORD, Conn. -- Forty Leaders Participate in Consultation on the Women's Movement in the Churches

September 26, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Our Nation Must Act to Reduce Poverty, NCC General Secretary Says As Census Bureau Reports Deepening Poverty in the United States

OCTOBER 2003

October 1, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- 'Peacemakers,' 'Davey and Goliath' Are Subjects of NCC-Related Network TV Specials This Fall

October 1, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - NCC Board Celebrates Council's Continuing Fiscal Recovery

October 7, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC General Assembly to Meet Nov. 4-6

October 10, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Walk With Us,' African Ecumenical Leader Tells U.S. Churches; New All Africa Conference of Churches General Secretary Visits NCC, CWS

October 15, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Chinese Christian Delegation Visits NCC and CWS, Reports Rapid Growth of Protestantism

October 16, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Team's Challenge: Develop Church School Themes Far in Advance

October 16, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Churches Must Address Issues of the Day, Ground People in Faith, Forum Leaders Say

October 17, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Next Ecumenical Young Adult Ministry Gathering Set for May 2004

October 20, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC General Secretary, CWS Executive Director to Lead Delegation to Korea; Agenda in North and South: Humanitarian Aid, Search for Peace, Justice

October 20, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Expressing Concern About Sectarianism in the U.S. Defense Department, NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar Seeks Meeting with Donald Rumsfeld; Dr. Edgar Also Writes Malaysian Prime Minister Decrying His Remarks Condemning Jews

October 27, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC Communication Commission Criticizes Reuters For Refusing to Sell Billboard Space to United Methodists

October 29, 2003, NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Reuters Reverses Decision on United Methodist Times Square Advertising; Billboard to Carry 'Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors' Message

October 31, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Profile of C.M.E. Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., NCC President 2004-2005; Actively Combating Poverty in His District, Hoyt Aims to Add 'Feet" to the NCC's Poverty Mobilization

NOVEMBER 2003

November 4, 2003, Jackson, Miss. -- 'Messed UP, But In The Master's Hands' -- Sermon Preached by the Rev. Thelma Chambers-Young at Opening Worship Nov. 4, 2003 -- NCC Annual General Assembly

November 4, 2003, JACKSON, Miss. -- Millennium Fund Honors Elenie Huszagh's Legacy as NCC President 2002-2003

November 5, 2003, JACKSON, Miss. - NCC 2003 General Assembly Backgrounder: Issues Underlying Taco Bell, Mt. Olive Pickle Boycotts

November 5, 2003, JACKSON, Miss. -- "The Churches and Public School," A Resolution of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA General Assembly

November 6, 2003, JACKSON, Miss. -- Resolution on the Conflict in the Middle East, Adopted by the NCC General Assembly

November 6, 2003, JACKSON, Miss. – NCC Endorses Consumer Boycotts of Taco Bell, Mt. Olive Pickle Products; Council is Largest, Broadest Religious Group to Endorse the Boycotts

WRAP UP OF NCC 2003 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Nov. 4-6, Jackson, Miss.

November 13, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - Former UCC President Leads NCC's Anti-Poverty Work in 2003-2004

November 17, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- National Council of Churches Statement on Bombing of Turkish Synagogues

November 17, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC/CWS Delegation to North Korea Includes Humanitarian Aid, Visit to Demilitarized Zone, Worship with Church Community Related stories: Delegation's Six-Point Statement Calling for Responses to the Crisis; CWS Analyst Victor Hsu's Presentation to Peace Conference, with Photos from Delegation's Visit; Closing Statement by Participants in Third International Peace Conference in Seoul.

DECEMBER 2003

December 1, 2003, Washington, D.C. -- NCC USA Urges Churches to Break the Silence on World AIDS Day

December 11, 2003, NEW YORK CITY – NCC USA Addresses Concerns -- and a Ray of Hope -- in the Middle East

December 15, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- NCC USA Statement on the Capture of Saddam Hussein

December 2003 -- NCC Christmas Message 2003: God Reveals Self as a Newborn Baby

December 17, 2003 -- Split Over Pending War in Iraq Ranks #2 in RNA Top Religion Stories Poll; National Council of Churches' Leadership Against the War is Noted

December 19, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- National Events Jan. 30-31, 2004, in Columbia, S.C., Will Bring Issues of Poverty to the Public Debate

NCC News Service Index