CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally (Release # 314) June 24, 1996
NEW YORK (UMNS) -- Nine foundations announced June 20 they are providing $4.7 million in gifts and loans to help rebuild burned churches and deal with underlying issues of racism.
Eight foundations are providing a total of $2.7 million to the National Council of Churches' "Burned Church Fund". They are the Annenberg, Ford, W.K. Kellogg, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, Charles Stewart Mott, Andreas and Rockefeller foundations and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
A ninth foundation -- Enterprise Foundation of Columbia, Md. - - is offering $2 million in pre-construction loans in addition to technical assistance in construction oversight and financial planning. The foundation is the largest supplier of federal low- income tax credits.
At a June 20 news conference in New York, National Council staff executive Joan Brown Campbell announced that already Protestant and Orthodox member denominations had pledged more than $500,000 toward the "Burned Church Fund" and more pledges are expected. According to Board of Global Ministries officials, United Methodists have not yet announced the amount of their pledge.
In a joint statement, representatives of the foundations said their contributions are a response to the "spirit and resolve of the pastors and their congregations to stand against racial and religious intolerance."
While rebuilding the churches is important, they noted, "the greater challenge is to combat the hatred and bigotry that produce this kind of lawlessness. We must make clear that there is no place for this behavior in our democratic society."
Ford Foundation president Susan Berresford, who took the lead in calling the foundation community together in support of the burned churches, said "We cherish the freedom we have to work, live and worship in safety. Attacks on churches offend our sense of decency."
During her 35-year involvement in the ecumenical movement, Campbell said, she had never seen such a diverse group of foundations, social agencies and faith groups come together around a common goal.
United Methodists may contribute by sending money through their local church to the "Burned Churches Fund" (Advance number 982700-1).
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
For general information about The United Methodist Church, call InfoServ at 1-800/251-8140.
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