US president names WCC Central Committee member to White House panel

WCC Central Committee member Rev. Dr Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is among 25 religious and secular leaders and scholars appointed to US President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Also on the panel are the leaders of two WCC member churches -  Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church ; and the Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. - as well as the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, a Moravian clergywoman who is to become president of the National Council of Churches USA in 2010.