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DENOMINATIONS
APPROVE HISTORIC STEP TOWARD CHURCH UNITY AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION KANSAS
CITY, MO - July 16, 2001 - Votes by the United Church of Christ (UCC) and
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) today cleared the way for one of
the most significant steps toward church unity and Christian challenges
to racism in United States history. The votes took place in Kansas City
at the joint biennial meetings of both denominations. Both
the UCC and Disciples approved a proposal to enter into a new
relationship with seven other denominations. That new partnership,
Churches Uniting In Christ (CUIC), will be inaugurated January 20, 2002
in Memphis. It is both an outgrowth of and successor to the Consultation
on Church Union (COCU), an ecumenical organization that has worked for
more than 40 years to promote unity among denominations. COCU will
formally end its existence in a service planned for January 19 in
Memphis. "With
this vote, the UCC and the Disciples of Christ reaffirm their ecumenical
heritage," said The Reverend Dr. Michael Kinnamon, professor at
Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis and general secretary of COCU.
"This is not a new departure for these churches, but rather a
confirmation of their historic convictions that all those who have
communion with Christ have communion with each other. In a world that's
divided by race, economic status and ideology, the church is called to
live a different way. CUIC is a most significant step in that direction.
And now, we move on to Memphis with all nine churches ready to become
CUIC. It will be a great day for the church in this country!" The
other churches that have previously approved CUIC membership include: 1. African Methodist Episcopal Church 2.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church 3.
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 4.
Episcopal Church 5.
International Council of Community Churches 6.
Presbyterian Church (USA) 7.
United Methodist Church These
churches have also been members of COCU for most or all of its 40-year
history. Membership in the nine churches totals approximately 22
million. Churches
Uniting in Christ is not a new structure; it is an officially recognized
invitation to live with one another differently. Churches in the CUIC
framework retain their historic identities and make their own decisions.
But they also pledge before God to draw closer in ways of worship,
ministry and mission, particularly in the mission of combating racism
together. In addition, each church commits itself to take part in
intensive dialogue toward the day when their ministers are authorized to
serve and lead worship in the other communions. Among
the elements affirmed by CUIC member churches:
CUIC
churches have committed themselves to what may be the most significant
Christian anti-racism effort in our society's history. The
member-churches describe racism as one of the most prominent and
pervasive evils in our national heritage and cultural routines. The
members have outlined strategic commitments to be implemented together. "Racism
is a church-dividing, faith-denying and community-destroying reality
that must be eradicated," said The Right Reverend McKinley Young,
presiding bishop for the 10th District African Methodist Episcopal
Church and vice president of COCU. "It is an evil practice among
individuals, churches and nations. Racism is a sin and without
repentance it is unto death. CUIC provides a unique opportunity for the
ecumenical community to embrace with enthusiasm and excitement a new
future, devoid of the baggage of racism, where we exercise mutual
respect and equal regard." Much
of the impact of CUIC will be visible at the local church level, where
congregations are being urged to consider such changes as celebrating
communion together periodically, sharing baptism, ordinations and
installations, undertaking joint mission projects, sharing special
events and proclaiming their CUIC membership on their church signs. As
various communities become models of CUIC partnership, their experiences
will be shared to encourage and inspire others. The
vote on the CUIC proposal took place at a joint meeting of the UCC
General Synod and the Disciples General Assembly. The two bodies heard
the proposals together and shared discussion on the issue, then voted
separately in the others' presence. "This
new relationship offers us new possibilities, not new
requirements," said Dr. Kinnamon. "To be honest, it will take
patience and imagination. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, with
work and creativity, we can live our way into a different future." CUIC's
future includes a commitment by CUIC member-churches to work toward full
reconciliation of ministries by 2007. Difficult issues of ordination and
ministry structure have been bracketed in the current proposal for
intensive discussion after CUIC's January inauguration. Several
additional churches have expressed interest in joining this round of
conversation, and leaders of at least four additional denominations have
expressed interest in becoming "partners in dialogue and
mission" -- if not full participants in CUIC. ### Editor's note:
For more information or to arrange an interview
with Dr. Kinnamon, please contact Lois Ford Long, director of media
relations at Eden Theological Seminary, at 314.918.2568 (office),
314.210.0464 (mobile) or cuic@ucc.org. Dr. Kinnamon is the Allen and Dottie Miller Professor of Mission and
Peace at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Information about General Synod/Assembly in Kansas City can be found
at http://synodassembly.net/index.html
. For
additional information on the United Church of Christ, contact
216.736.2173 or visit www.ucc.org ; for additional information on the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) contact 317.713.2494 or visit www.disciples.org. |
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