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American Baptist Churches–USA (ABC) is a mission-oriented,
loosely organized federation of freely functioning churches. It
evolved as a denomination out of the need for churches to band together
to carry on mission work, and has roots going back 400 years. Its
“Affirmation of Mission” follows:
We believe that the local congregation is the fundamental
unit of mission and our priority as a denomination is to affirm,
support and challenge congregations as they live out their mission
. . .
American Baptist congregations are called by God through
Jesus Christ to be communities of faith—empowered by the Holy
Spirit to live as witnesses and agents of God’s love and justice
in the church and in the world; vital in worship; dynamic in proclamation;
effective in teaching; loving in fellowship; faithful in stewardship;
and compassionate in service.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) came into being in 1957 with the
union of two Protestant denominations: the Evangelical and Reformed
Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Each of these
was, in turn, the result of a union of two earlier denominations
(one merger took place in 1931 and the other in 1934). The UCC,
like the ABC, is congregational in governance. It continues to work
towards unity and the healing of divisions in the body of Christ,
as evidenced by its chosen motto: “That they all may be one.”
(John 17:21)
The National Council of Churches is now in its fifth decade
of service. It provides leadership in strengthening its individual
member churches and promoting unity between them in the U.S. It
sponsors activities to nurture interfaith ties, to equip church
members in becoming more actively involved, to increase justice
within our society, and to provide intellectual capital to developing
nations.
The World Council of Churches (WCC), formed in 1948, is an ecumenical
organization of 300 different denominations seeking to heal the
divisions within the Christian faith. The WCC focuses its work on
faith and witness, justice and service, education and renewal.
The Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council, founded in 1911, is
one of the oldest interfaith organizations in the nation. Its members
agree to respect the integrity of their different faiths and the
right to practice their beliefs. The Council is dedicated to the
betterment of life in the community and to the struggle for human
equality. Thirty-seven religious and social service organizations
are members of the Council. Some of its projects that we participate
in are described below.
Amnesty International is a global grassroots movement. It serves
as a power base for individuals working to bring an end to grave
violations of people’s fundamental human rights. Through letter
writing and other communication on behalf of individuals it creates
constant effective pressure on groups and controlling bodies. HPUC
members have the opportunity periodically during coffee hour to
write letters for Amnesty International.
Bread for the World is a nationwide Christian citizens’ movement
that works for justice for hungry people by lobbying our nation’s
decision makers. It mobilizes letter writing to help get the U.S.
State Department to mediate peace agreements and save lives. HPUC
members have the opportunity periodically during coffee hour to
write letters for Bread for the World.
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