Excerpt from the 2001 Edition of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches:
Directories Section, CHAPTER 7
United States Regional and Local Ecumenical Bodies
The Introduction to the
United States Regional and Local Ecumenical Bodies
One of the many ways Christians and Christian
churches relate to one another locally and regionally is through ecumenical
bodies. The membership in these
ecumenical organizations is diverse. Historically, councils of churches were
formed primarily by Protestants, but many local and regional organizations now
include Orthodox and Roman Catholics. Many are made up of congregations or
judicatory units of churches. Some have a membership base of individuals.
Others foster cooperation between ministerial groups, community
ministries, coalitions, or church agencies.
While “council of churches” is a term still commonly used to describe
this form of cooperation, other terms such as “conference of churches,”
“ecumenical councils,” “churches united,” “metropolitan ministries,”
are coming into use. Ecumenical organizations that are national in scope are
listed in Director 1, “United States Cooperative Organizations.”
An increasing number of ecumenical bodies have
been exploring ways to strengthen the interreligious aspect of life in the
context of religious pluralism in the U.S. today. Some organizations in this listing are fully interfaith
agencies primarily through the inclusion of Jewish congregations in their
membership. Other organizations nurture partnerships with a broader base of
religious groups in their communities, especially in the areas of public policy
and interreligious dialogue.
This list does not include all local and
regional ecumenical and interfaith organizations in existence today.
For information about other groups, contact the Ecumenical Networks
Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., 475
Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115-0050.
Tel. (212) 870-2228 Fax (212) 870-2690.
2304 12th Ave. N, Birmingham, AL 35234-3111
Tel. (205)326-6821 Fax (205)252-8458
Media Contact, Scott Douglas
Exec. Dir., Scott Douglas
Economic Justice, Co-Chpsn.: Helen Holdefer;
Karnie Smith
Direct Services, Chpsn., Benjamin Greene
Finance & Fund-Raising, Chpsn., Dick Sales
Pres., Richard Ambrose
Sec., Lois Martin
Treas., Chris Hamlin
Major Activities: Direct Service Ministries
(Food, Utilities, Rent and Nutrition Education, Shelter); Alabama Arise
(Statewide legislative network focusing on low income issues); Economic Justice
Issues (Low Income Housing and Advocacy, Health Care, Community Development,
Jobs Creation, Public Transportation); Faith in Community Ministries
(Interchurch Forum, Interpreting and Organizing, Bible Study)
Interfaith Mission Service
411-B Holmes Ave. NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Tel. (256)536-2401 Fax (256)536-2284
Email: ims@hiwaay.net
Exec. Dir., Susan J. Smith
Pres., Richard C. Titus
Major Activities: Foodline & Food Pantry;
Local FEMA Committee; Ministry Development; Clergy Luncheon; Workshops; Response
to Community Needs; Information and Referral; Interfaith Understanding;
Christian Unity; Homeless Needs; School Readiness Screenings
ALASKA
Alaska Christian Conference
Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, 1205 Denali Way,
Fairbanks, AK 99701-4178 Tel. (907)452-3040
Email: MARK_MACDONALD.parti@ecunet.org
Media Contact, Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald
Pres., Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald
Vice-Pres., Rev. David I. Blanchett, 1100
Pullman Drive, Wasilla, AK 99654 Tel. (907)352-2517
Sec., Rev. Dianne A. O'Connell, 9851 Basher
Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99507-1279 Tel. (907) 261-5053
Treas., Carolyn M. Winters, 2133 Bridgewater
Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709-4101 Tel. (907)
456-8555
Major Activities: Legislative & Social
Concerns; Resources and Continuing Education; New Ecumenical Ministries;
Communication; Alcoholism (Education & Prevention); Family Violence
(Education & Prevention); Native Issues; Ecumenical/Theological Dialogue;
HIV/AIDS Education and Ministry; Criminal Justice
4423 N. 24th St., Ste. 750, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tel. (602)468-3818 Fax (602)468-3839
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Dr. Paul Eppinger,
Tel. (602)967-6040 Fax (602)468-3839
Exec. Dir., Dr. Paul Eppinger
Pres., Rev. Gail Davis, 4423 N. 24th St. Ste.
700, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Major Activities: Donohoe Ecumenical Forum
Series; Political Action Team; Legislative Workshop; Arizona Ecumenical Indian
Concerns Committee; Mexican/American Border Issues; ISN-TV; Disaster Relief;
Break Violence-Build Community; Truckin’ for Kids; “Souper Bowl”; Gun
Information and Safety Program
P.O. Box 151, Scott, AR 72142 Tel.
(501)961-2626
Email: aicark@aol.com
Media Contact, Conf. Exec., Mimi Dortch
Conf. Exec., Mimi Dortch
Pres., Rabbi Eugene Levy, 3700 Rodney Park
Ave., Little Rock, AR 72212
Sec., Rev. Thurston Lamb, Bethel AME Church,
Little Rock, AR 72202
Treas., Jim Davis, Box 7239, Little Rock, AR
72217
Major Activities: Institutional Ministry;
Interfaith Executives’ Advisory Council; Interfaith Relations; Church Women
United; AIDS Task Force; Our House-Shelter; Legislative Liaison; Ecumenical
Choir Camp; Tornado Disaster Relief; Camp for Jonesboro School Children
Massacre; Welfare Reform Work; Med Center Chaplaincy
2700 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tel.
(916)442-5447 Fax (916)442-3036
Email: cccinfo@calchurches.org
Website: www.calchurches.org
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Scott D. Anderson
Exec. Dir., Scott D. Anderson
Major Activities: Monitoring State
Legislation; California IMPACT Network; Legislative Principles; Food Policy
Advocacy; Family Welfare Issues; Health; Church/State Issues; Violence
Prevention; Child Care Program/Capacity Coordinator to Increase Quality Child
Care within California for the Working Poor, etc.
Northern California Interreligious Conference*
534 22nd St., Oakland, CA 94612 Tel.
(510)433-0822 Fax (510)433-0813
Email: NCIC@igc.org
Media Contact, Pres., Rev. Phil Lawson
Exec. Dir., Charlene Tschirhart
Pres., Rev. Phil Lawson
Vice-Pres.: Nancy Nielsen
Sec., Robert Forsberg
Treas., John Lanehart
Major Activities: Peace with Justice
Commission; Knight Initiatieve (same sex marriage); Interreligious Relationships
Commission; Public Policy Advocacy; Same Gender marriage Education Campaign;
Welfare Reform
The Council of Churches of Santa Clara County
1710 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 Tel.
(408)297-2660 Fax (408)297-2661
Media Contact, Interim Ex. Dir., Rev. R.
Richard Roe
Interim Exec. Dir., Rev. R. Richard Roe
Pres., Rev. Dr. Kristin Sundquist
Major Activities: Social Education/Action;
Ecumenical and Interfaith Witness; Affordable Housing; Environmental Ministry;
Family/Children; Refugee Immigration Ministry; Interfaith Study Project;
Convalescent Hospital Ministries; Gay Ministry
The Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Churches
P.O. Box 41125, 444 E. Washington Blvd.,
Pasadena, CA 91114-8125 Tel. (626)797-2402 Fax (626)797-7353
Email: ecpac@prodigy.net
Exec. Dir., Rev. Frank B. Clark
Major Activities: Christian Education;
Community Worship; Community Concerns; Christian Unity; Ethnic Ministries;
Hunger; Peace; Food, Clothing Assistance for the Poor; Emergency Shelter
Ecumenical Council of San Diego County
1880 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~searay1/
Exec. Dir., Rev. Glenn S. Allison
Admn., Patricia R. Munley
Pres., George Mitrovich
Treas., Joseph Ramsey
Major Activities: Interfaith Shelter
Network/El Nido Transitional Living Program; Emerging Issues; Faith Order &
Witness; Worship & Celebration; Ecumenical Tribute Dinner; Advent Prayer
Breakfast; AIDS Chaplaincy Program; Third World Opportunities; Seminars and
Workshops; Called to Dance Assn.; S.D. Names Project Quilt; Children’s Sabbath
Workshops and events; Edgemoor Chaplaincy; Stand for Children events; Continuing
Education for clergy and laypersons
Fresno Metro Ministry
1055 N. Van Ness, Ste. H, Fresno, CA 93728
Tel. (559)485-1416 Fax (559)485-9109
Email: metromin@qnis.net
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Rev. Walter P.
Parry
Exec. Dir., Rev. Walter P. Parry
Admn. Asst., Linda Jimenez
Pres., Rev. Delman Howard
Major Activities: Hunger Relief Advocacy;
Human Relations and Anti-Racism; Health Care Advocacy; Public Education
Concerns; Children’s Needs; Biblical and Theological Education For Laity;
Ecumenical & Interfaith Celebrations & Cooperation; Youth Needs;
Community Network Building; Human Services Facilitation; Anti-Poverty Efforts;
Hate Crime Prevention and Response
Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Tel. (925)933-6030 Fax (925)952-4554
Chaplains: Rev. Charles Tinsley; Rev. Duane
Woida; Rev. Harold Wright; Laurie Maxwell
Pres., Rev. Steve Harms
Treas., Robert Bender
Major Activities: Institutional Chaplaincies,
Community Education, Interfaith Cooperation; Social Justice
Interfaith Service Bureau
3720 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95816 Tel.
(916)456-3815 Fax (916)456-3816
Email: isbdexter@aol.com
Media Contact, Executive Dir., Dexter McNamara
Executive Dir., Dexter McNamara
Pres.: Richard Montgomery
Vice-Pres.: Lloyd Hanson
Major Activities: Religious and Racial
Cooperation and Understanding; Welfare Reform Concerns; Refugee Resettlement
& Support; Religious Cable Television; Violence Prevention; Graffiti
Abatement
Marin Interfaith Council
845 Olive Ave., Suite 110, Novato, CA 94945
Tel. (415)492-1052 Fax (415)492-8907
Email: faiths@peacenet.org
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Rev. Kevin F. Tripp
Exec. Dir., Rev. Kevin F. Tripp
Major Activities: Interfaith Dialogue;
Education; Advocacy; Convening; Interfaith Worship Services & Commemorations
Massachusetts Commission on Christian Unity
845 Olive Ave. Suite 110, Novato, CA 94945
Tel. (415)209-6278 Fax (415)209-6527
Email: faiths@peacenet.org
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Rev. K. Gordon
White
Exec. Sec., Rev. K. Gordon White
Pres., Sr. Katherine Hamilton, O.P.
Major Activities: Faith and Order Dialogue
with Church Judicatories; Guidelines & Pastoral Directives for Inter-Church
Marriages
Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies
(PACTS)
Graduate Theological Union, 2400 Ridge Rd.,
Berkeley, CA 94709 Tel. (510)849-0653
Media Contact, Dir., Deborah Lee
Dir., Deborah Lee
Pres., Ron Nakasone
Major Activities: Collect and Disseminate
Resource Materials; Training Conferences; Public Seminars; Women in Ministry;
Racial and Ethnic Minority Concerns; Journal and Newsletter; Hawaii &
Greater Pacific Programme; Sale of Sadao Watanabe Calendars; Informational
Forums on Peace & Social Justice in Asian Pacific American Community and
Asia/Pacific Internationally; Forums & Conferences for Seminarians Asian
Pacific Heritage
Pomona Inland Valley Council of Churches
1753 N. Park Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 Tel.
(909)622-3806 Fax (909)622-0484
Media Contact, Dir. of Development, Mary
Kashmar
Pres., The Rev. Henry Rush
Acting Exec. Dir., The Rev. La Quetta
Bush-Simmons
Sec., Ken Coates
Treas., Anne Ashford
Major Activities: Advocacy and Education for
Social Justice; Ecumenical Celebrations; Hunger Advocacy; Emergency Food and
Shelter Assistance; Farmer’s Market; Affordable Housing; Transitional Housing
San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council
10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd., No. 7, Chatsworth,
CA 91311 Tel. (818)718-6460 Fax (818)718-0734
Email: sfvic@earthlink.net
Website: www.sfvic.org
Media Contact, Communications Coord., Dyanne
Hendrix, ext. 3002
Exec. Dir., Barry Smedberg; Ext. 3011
Pres., Dr. William Huling
Major Activities: Seniors Multi-Purpose
Centers; Nutrition & Services; Meals to Homebound; Meals on Wheels;
Interfaith Reporter; Interfaith Relations; Social Adult Day Care;
Hunger/Homelessness; Volunteer Care-Givers; Clergy Gatherings; Food Pantries and
Outreach; Social Concerns; Aging; Hunger; Human Relations; Child Abuse Program;
Medical Service; Homeless Program; Disaster Response Preparedness; Immigration
Services; Self-Sufficiency Program for Section 8 Families
South Coast Ecumenical Council
3300 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806 Tel.
(562)595-0268 Fax (562)490-9920
Email: SCEC2@earthlink.net
Website: www.southcoastecumenical.org
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Rev. Ginny Wagener
STAFF
Exec. Dir., Rev. Ginny Wagener
Farmers’ Markets, Rev. Dale Whitney
Pres., Fr. Mike Roebert
Centro Shalom, Amelia Nieto
New Communion, David Satchwell
Major Activities: Homeless Support Services;
Farmers’ Markets; Hunger Projects; Church Athletic Leagues; Community Action;
Easter Sunrise Worships; Interreligious Dialogue; Justice Advocacy; Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration; Violence Prevention; Long Beach Church Women
United; Long Beach Interfaith Clergy; Publishing Area Religious Directories;
South Bay-Long Beach Million Mom March Chapter
Southern California Ecumenical Council*
54 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101-2086
Tel. (626)578-6371 Fax (626)578-6358
Email: scec@loop.com
Media Contact, Exec. Dir., Rev. Albert G.
Cohen
Exec. Dir., Rev. Albert G. Cohen
Pres., Rev. Donald Smith
Treas., Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian
Sec., Ms. Laura Ramirez
V.P. Faith & Tradition, Rev. Wil Tyrrell, S.A.
V.P. Special Events, Dr. Gwynne Guibord
Member at Large, Rev. Dr. Efstathios Mylonas
Faith and Order Chair, Rev. Dr. Rod Parrott
Past Pres., Rev. Sally Welch
Major Activities: Consultation with the
regional religious sector concerning the well being and spiritual vitality of
this most diverse and challenging area
Westside Interfaith Council
P.O. Box 1402, Santa Monica, CA 90406 Tel.
(310)394-1518 Fax (310)576-1895
Media Contact, Rev. Janet A. Bregar
Exec. Dir., Rev. Janet A. Bregar
Major Activities: Meals on Wheels; Community
Religious Services; Convalescent Hospital Chaplaincy; Homeless Partnership;
Hunger & Shelter Coalition
Click Here for Corrections to the 2001 Edition's Regional and Local Ecumenical Bodies Listing