Episcopal Press and News
Urban Caucus to Hold 5th National Assembly
Episcopal News Service. August 23, 1984 [84169]
DETROIT (DPS, Aug. 23) -- The fifth national assembly of the Episcopal Urban Caucus, which meets here Sept. 5-8, will bring together a group of Episcopalians concerned with urban mission and evangelism to address the theme: "The People of God -- Chosen, Gifted, Equipped, Sent" and to make plans for the future of the Caucus.
In addition to ways of sharpening skills, planners for the assembly have also attempted to provide participants with opportunities to reflect on and share experiences of urban ministry and to become acquainted with others working in similar situations. A closing Eucharist, with a sermon by the Rev. Henry Mitchell of Detroit, is planned in the hope that it will send participants back to their ministries refreshed and renewed.
The keynote speaker at the opening banquet will be the Rt. Rev. John Burt, retired bishop of Ohio and chairman of the Urban Bishops Coalition. The Rev. Emmett Jarrett will serve the assembly as resident theologian and will give daily meditations. There will also be reports from Caucus president Byron Rushing and the acting executive director, the Rev. Canon Edward Rodman, on the group's work in the 18 months since the last Assembly.
The Rev. Canon Edward Geyer, executive for National Mission in Church and Society at the Episcopal Church Center, will be attending the conference to discuss the progress of the Church's Jubilee Ministry program. Established by the 1982 General Convention, this program of ministry and advocacy is an amalgam of proposals by the Urban Caucus.
In addition to the plenaries, participants will spend time each day in small discussion/reflection groups responding to the reports and meditations. Participants may also attend workshops in which they will be able to share their own experiences as well as learn from others also engaged in the ministry of aid and advocacy across the country.
During a business session, the Caucus will elect new board members who will be installed during the closing Eucharist.
The Assembly will be headquartered in the Book-Cadillac Hotel here, a minority-owned facility.