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National Workshop on Christian Unity
Equipping Church Leaders in the Quest for Christian Unity
- Sponsored by the National Ecumenical Officers Association -
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2007 NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON

CHRISTIAN UNITY IN WASHINGTON, DC
Jan. 29 through Feb. 1, 2007

NWCU Registration TableParticipants in the 2007 National Workshop arrived at the Marriott Key Bridge to take part in this years event.  Seated at the table is Gay Mount, member of the Local Planning Committee and Registrar fore the event.  Standing on the right camel overcoat is Allen Johnson (United Methodist) the chair of the National Planning Committee for the National Workshop on Christian Unity.  Various Network (denominational) Meetings took part through the afternoon.

NWCU 2007 Opening Worship The NWCU formally began with the Opening Worship Service that was held at 7:30 at the Washington National Cathedral.  Leadership from Archbishop Vicken Aykazianthe regions participatingdenominations took part in the service together with students from theological seminaries within the region.  The evening's message was brought by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian (photo on right) of the Armenian Church in America, who is President-elect of the National Council of Churches. His message built upon the theme for this year's National Workshop on Christian unity, "Ephphatha (Be opened!).

The 2007 Keynote Address was given by Brother Jeff Gros, Professor of Church History at Memphis Theological Seminary.  Brother Gros is a longtime participant in the National Workshop and, until recently, a member of the NWCU National Planning Committee.  The Keynote Address was again sponsored by the Military and Hospitalier Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.

In his keynote address, Brother Gros listed five major accomplishments of the recent decades and the challenges which remain to be addressed.  Too download the full text of the Keynote Address by Brother Jeff Gros, click here.

Brenda Girton-MitchelBrenda Girton-Mitchell, Associate General Secretary for Justice and Advocacy, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, was the Bible Study Leader for this year's National Workshop on Christian Unity.  The American Bible Society sponsored the Bible Study.  The Rev. Girton-Mitchel engaged the Workshop Participants in an interactive study of the theme text for the Workshop,Mark, Chapter 7 verses 31-37. 

Brenda Girton-Mitchell has graciously provided us with the notes she used in preparation for the Bible Study.  To read them, click here.

Pick-up ChoirSenate Halls Filled with Song - The NWCU's Wednesday Evening Social Event featured a Dinner and Songfest held in the Senate Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building.  That hall, the scene of the Teapot Dome investigation, the Army-McCarthy Hearngs, the Watergate Hearings and many other famous events, became a choir chamber when Dr. Ysye Barnell (of Sweet Honey in the Rock) organized participants into a "pick-up choir." 

Dr. Barnell divided the participants into four parts, and then taught them the harmonies of many of the classic spirituals.  It was a joy-filled time and the halls of the Russell Office Building reverberated with the beautiful harmony of the blended voices.  She made this an evening we will long and fondly remember.  To view a short video clip that was taken during the event, click the following link.  View Video Clip

 

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