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Contact: Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith
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AN INVITATION TO PARTNER ANEW IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH THE LARGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN RELIGIOUS BODY IN THE USA: THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION USA, INC. AND CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
May 2, 2007 -- “The Baptists are Here!” said the Pope on Wednesday , April 25th as he recognized the delegation by having members stand at their platform front seats and later greeting Dr. Shaw at the Papal Audience of close to 30,000 at St. Peter’s Square. President Shaw sat within the inner circle on the stage which included special dignitaries. As Head of Church representing the delegation and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. he was officially greeted by the Pope. The Pope also took time to briefly greet those sitting in the first rows of the special seating. This included a few members of the National Baptist Convention USA, In Many of the attendees had stood in lines for hours prior to the official program and service led by the Pope. The audience was filled with families and many others who had sojourned from all over the world. After participating in the Papal Audience, the delegation was given a special guided tour of the St. Peters Square, the Pope’s chapel, St. Thomas Courtyard, the Sistine Chapel and the largest Catholic Cathedral (Basilica) in the world, St. Peter’s.
“We are grateful for the invitation to partner anew with Christian churches throughout the world. The official visit of our National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. with the World Council of Churches, the Orthodox Center at Chambesy, and the Vatican have complemented our Convention’s commitment to serve Jesus Christ, only, always. The visits have given new perspectives on what it may means to have a closer working relationship with churches throughout the world in the 21st century,” said the Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention USA.
The delegation was officially hosted by the Pontifical Council on Promoting Christian Unity and Cardinal President Casper. The “Council” finds its roots with the Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council. Since 1960 the "Council” has been entrusted with the promotion, within the Catholic Church, of an authentic ecumenical spirit according to the councilor decree Unitatis redintegratio. The “Council” also aims to develop dialogue and collaboration with the other Churches and World Communions. Since its creation it has developed a cordial cooperation with theWorld Council of Churches. The delegation also met with Monsignour Father Felix Machado of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue,
The delegation also visited with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia. The delegation also made a historic visit to the Orthodox Institute in Chambesy.
Much is expected in light of the delegation’s visits this past week and subsequent week as the delegation moves on to church and community visits in South Africa and Kenya. The founding of the “Convention” was rooted in its concern for its African brothers and sisters and thus this has been a historic concern. The delegation has been moved by the host of invitations and hospitality extended to them. The delegation is prayerfully reflecting on its response and official proposals about how to systematically address its global church future in the 21st century.
Official Delegation of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Ecumenical Journey:
· The Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. (HEAD OF CHURCH) and Pastor, White Rock Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA.
· The Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, the Convention’s Ecumenical representative and the Executive Director of The Church Federation of Indianapolis (Facilitator/Organizer of the Ecumenical Journey)
· The Reverend Dr. Harry Blake, General Secretary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
· Dr. Hugh Dell Gatewood, President of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
· Dr. Kenneth Lyons, President of the Moderator’s Department of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
· Mrs. Sallie Titus, President of the Ushers and Nurses Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention
· The Reverend Alvin Love, State President of the Baptist General Convention of Illinois and Chairman of the TOPIC Technology Ministry of the Convention
· The Reverend Dr. Randy Vaughn, President of the Texas Baptist State Convention
· The Reverend Dr. John Ringgold, Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, San Diego, CA
· Mrs. John Ringgold
· Mrs. Vanessa Tavares, President of the Women Mission Union of the White Rock Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA
· Mrs. Jeanette Cooper, member of the Board of Trustees of the White Rock Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA.
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:
April 22-24: Visit at World Council of Churches, Bossey Institute (University of Geneva), Orthodox Institute in Chambèsy, United Nation High Commission of Refugees.
April 24-26 Vatican City: Papal Audience, Pontifical Council on Christian Unity, Pontifical Council on Interreligious Concerns.
April 27-29: South Africa: Vice Chancellor’s Residence of the University of South Africa, Site of the Children’s/Youth Massacre on June 16, 1976 @ Hector Pieterson Museum, Anti-Apartheid Museum.
April 29-May 2: Nairobi, Kenya: All Africa Conference of Churches, Africa Union, Kenyan Baptist Convention, Church World Service, Sudanese Refugees (Darfur Genocide).
May 3-4: South Africa: Chief of Staff of the President of South Africa, USA Embassy visit, Electoral Commissioner for South Africa, South African Council of Churches
Nation’s Largest Historic African-American Religious Body to Make Historic Journey to the Vatican, Switzerland, South Africa, and Kenya
Contact: Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith
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-IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
April 22, 2007
The National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. announces the departure of its national delegation of twelve to the Vatican, Switzerland, South Africa, and Kenya today. The journey will take place April 22-May 5, 2007. The Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. states, “Peacemaking and reconciliation includes building stronger relationships within and outside of the churches and the United States that are responsive to the changing dynamic landscape of Christendom and the unrelenting violence in our world.” Therefore the journey will include meetings with evangelicals, historic churches, Roman Catholic Church leaders, racial-ethnic churches, Orthodox Church leaders, government officials and other community leaders who are concerned to work locally, nationally and globally to address this. The journey also seeks to be more responsive to the changing dynamic landscape of Christendom.
The journey will include meetings with church leaders at the Vatican, including being a part of the Papal Audience, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and related leaders, the Chief of Staff for the President of South Africa, the Rev. Frank Chikane, the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, Bishop Mvume Dandala and related leaders, and related members of the African Union.
The delegation looks forward to: a) exploring and engaging local, national and global partnerships appropriate to resourcing and networking local ministry and mission effectiveness; b) exploring and engaging the changing global, national and local landscape of Christendom and other faith expressions as it relates to local church ministry and mission effectiveness; c) creating dialogue among regional NBC USA, Inc. Vice Presidential districts with their local churches, auxiliaries, boards, young adults and groups about the impact and opportunities within the changing global, national and local landscape of Christendom and other faith expressions as it relates to local church ministry and mission effectiveness; d) identifying opportunities for partnerships and resourcing local ministry and mission effectiveness.
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