United Fights Heart Disease and Honors Social Justice Activists

ATLANTA, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Delegates of United Covenant Churches of Christ (UCCC) will travel from as far east as the tropical land of Nigeria, as far north as Alaska and from as far west as California to the city of Atlanta for their 23rd Holy Convocation commencing on July 9, 2012. More than 1,000 leaders will converge in downtown Atlanta at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel at 165 Courtland Street from Monday, July 9, through Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Eric D. Garnes, United will begin its morning events with fitness and wellness sessions as it moves the church in the direction of combating diseases and health problems that seem to plague many Americans.

"It is not enough that we encourage people to attend church services. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we educate and inspire the church and the community at large to take care of their physical bodies in order that they may be able to live fuller, healthier lives," said Bishop Garnes. With health care costs continuously rising and our ability to avoid some common diseases by developing and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regiment, the church is ensuring it takes an active role in helping people get well and stay well.

Renowned preachers including Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Brian Moore and Bishop Eric D. Garnes are keynote speakers for the 7:00 p.m. evening services on Monday, July 9, Tuesday, July 10, and Wednesday, July 11 respectively. The evening services will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Atlanta and are free and open to the public.

United will present its first UCCC Dr. Martin Luther King Award to Dr. Raphael Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia and to Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson, founder of Be Someone, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering youth empowerment through the game of chess. Both men have been selected for this award because of their outstanding achievements in the area of social justice in urban communities and these awards will be bestowed upon them this evening in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Atlanta.

United Covenant Churches of Christ is an international Christian fellowship comprised of more than 20,000 congregants. With its world apostolic headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, their mission is to build an innovative ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse organization through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. It promotes the growth of local churches and creates a resourceful and meaningful networking environment for pastors and their congregants. Further, it emphasizes the need for and importance of theological and secular academics as a way of building a strong foundation for education in the church and the world.

CONTACT:

Tamyra F. Winningham
National Director of Public Relations
(917) 767-4870
[email protected]
www.unitedcovenantchurches.com

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SOURCE United Covenant Churches of Christ