Brethren lead devotions for National Council of Churches assembly.

At the National Council of Churches (NCC) General Assembly in Orlando, Fla., from Nov. 7-9, the Church of the Brethren was represented by elected representatives Nelda Rhodes Clarke Nelda Rhoades Clark, Jennie Ramirez, and Marianne Miller Speicher, and by the general secretary of the General Board Stanley Noffsinger and director of identity Becky Ullom. The theme, "For the Healing of the Nations" was based on Rev. 22:1-2, encouraging the 35 member communions to reclaim the Christian call to be reconcilers.

This year, Brethren representatives had a unique opportunity to share Church of the Brethren theology and tradition by presenting morning devotions to the assembly. "Conference planners requested leadership from the Church of the Brethren due to our special niche in the council as a Historic Peace Church," Ullom reported.

The Brethren morning devotions included a call to worship, two hymns, the reading of scripture, and prayer; the message was a specially created video piece that highlighted the pain of the world as well as some of the ways the Church of the Brethren responds to that pain. The five Brethren present each participated in the service, as did Brethren Academy director Jonathan Shively, who filled the role of chorister. (For a free copy of the video, "How Do We Respond?" contact Becky Ullom at 800-323-8039 ext. 212.)

In business sessions, the General Assembly affirmed a pastoral message calling for "an immediate phased withdrawal of American and coalition forces from Iraq.... As men and women of faith, we believe that freedom, along with genuine security, is based in God, and is served by the recognition of humanity’s interdependence, and by working with partners to bring about community, development, and reconciliation for all, and that such freedom and security is not served by this war in Iraq," said the message.

Of the nearly 250 delegates voting, two abstentions and one "no" vote were heard--cast by representatives of the Brethren and Friends (Quakers) who felt some of the language and ideas in the pastoral message were not in accordance with a peace stance, Ullom said. The pastoral message will be sent to the Bush administration and members of Congress, and also is addressed to people of faith and all people of goodwill.

Delegates also adopted a new policy on human biotechnologies entitled, "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" (www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/BioTechPolicy.pdf). The policy proclaimed the sanctity of all human life as God’s creation and condemned human reproductive cloning. It also acknowledged that differences exist among the 35 different member communions regarding stem cell research.

Delegates unanimously passed two resolutions based on the biotechnologies policy. One called for a worldwide ban on human reproductive cloning. A second called for more oversight of government and private sector laboratories developing bio-warfare weapons.

In other business, a statement on the election acknowledged the NCC’s "strong support for raising the minimum wage" and expressed a "real sense of joy and thanksgiving" at the six states voting to help raise workers out of poverty "acknowledging that such public policy is good for business as well as workers"; and a resolution to protect God's creation was passed. "Global warming threatens the very fabric of God’s creation and will hit those who are least able to adapt--both human and nonhuman--the hardest," it said in part. It called on "all Christians, people of faith and people of good will the world over to...individually and in community, quickly reduce...their green house gas emissions."

Additionally, the daily schedule included Bible study, worship, and presentations by a number of renowned theologians, clergy, and lay people. For more information about the assembly, including resources, policy documents, and pictures, visit www.ncccusa.org.

Source: 12/06/2006 Newsline