UCC Celebrates Past, Welcomes New in Weekend Event

CLEVELAND -- The United Church of Christ has reason to celebrate: this weekend marks the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the church, the 10th anniversary of the denomination's move to Cleveland, and the beginning of a new way of doing the business of the church. To honor all of these events, and more, the UCC is holding "Celebration 2000," June 22-25 in Cleveland.

Some 2,000 people from the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines will join the celebration, culminating a five-year restructure process, to honor and bid farewell to current and past structures and staff, and to welcome new boards of directors.

Celebration 2000 will include such special events as:

* A keynote address by the Rev. Andrew Young, former U.N. ambassador and Mayor of Atlanta; Saturday, June 24, 2000, 6:30- 9 p.m., Cleveland Convention Center, Lakeside Avenue at West Sixth. The banquet also will honor past leaders who have guided the church during its first 43 years.

* Installation of the new Collegium of Officers, Sunday, June 25, 2:30 p.m., Music Hall at the Convention

Center. The installation will take place during the closing worship service of Celebration 2000, on the 43rd anniversary of the church and at the site of its "Uniting General Synod." On June 25, 1957, leaders of the UCC's predecessor bodies -- the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church -- came together at Music Hall to form the church.

* A free concert by University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, Saturday, June 24, 1-3 p.m., the UCC's

Amistad Chapel, 700 Prospect Ave.

"Celebration 2000 is something for all of us to experience," says Edith A. Guffey, the UCC's Associate

General Minister-Elect. "We hope many UCC members will join us as we celebrate, in the words of our theme, 'Faithful Legacy, Fervent Hope.'"

Indicative of the denomination's new structure is its Collegium of Officers. While most churches have a hierarchical, "top-down" structure, the new officers will share leadership and have equal voice. The new officers embody the UCC's goal of a multiracial, multicultural church that is increasingly typical within many levels of the UCC.

In addition to Guffey, those being installed include the Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President-Elect; Bernice Powell Jackson, Executive Minister-Elect of Justice and Witness Ministries; the Rev. Jos "Joe" Malayang, Executive Minister-Elect of Local Church Ministries; and Dale L. Bishop, Executive Minister-Elect of Wider Church Ministries.

The 1.4-million-member United Church of Christ has some 6,000 churches in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Schedule of Events, June 22-25

Thursday, June 22

* Worship -- 7-9 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 2592 W. 14 Street, Cleveland

Preacher: The Rev. Diane Darling

Friday, June 23

* Tours of UCC office building, Church House, Amistad Chapel 9 a.m.- 12 noon; 1-4 p.m.

* Meetings -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Current boards, directorates, councils and corporations hold final meetings

Saturday, June 24

* Coffee with officers and executives -- 9-10 a.m.

Informal time to talk with former and outgoing executives

* New Covenants: Orientation for Supporters and Friends -- 10 a.m.- 12 noon

Get to know the new Covenanted Ministries and what they do.

* Meetings of Covenanted Ministries -- 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Members of Covenanted Ministry boards and the new Executive Council meet.

* Three events at Amistad Chapel -- 9 a.m.-12 noon; 1-5 p.m.

* Missionary speaker: Helen Grant, Global Mission intern -- 9-10 a.m.

*Hymn Sing -- 10:30-11:30 a.m.

* University of Philippines Concert Chorus -- 1-3 p.m.

* Video Showings -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Videos produced by current church agencies will be available for viewing.

* Faithful Legacy, Fervent Hope Banquet -- 6:30-9 p.m.

Festive banquet remembering the UCC's first 43 years and celebrating the transition into the new structure. Keynote address: The Rev. Andrew Young

(Some tickets are still available. Contact Diane Schurr, 216-736- 3872; e-mail schurrd@ucc.org)

Sunday, June 25

* Meetings of Covenanted Ministries continue -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Faithful Legacy, Fervent Hope Closing Worship and installation of officers -- 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Preacher: The Rev. Robin Meyers

* Informal reception follows from 4:30-5:30 p.m.