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Beloved Community,
Today I am on my way to Kansas City for General Synod, the national gathering of the United Church of Christ that happens every two years. It’s when clergy and lay leaders from across the country gather to worship, learn, vote on resolutions, share resources and ideas, and discern where the Spirit is calling us as a wider church.
Because the UCC is rooted in covenantal polity, and not hierarchical, decisions made at Synod aren’t binding on local churches like ours; instead, they offer a unified voice and shared commitments that we can choose to live into as part of the broader UCC family. It’s my first time attending General Synod, and I’m excited to represent CCSM while learning more about the denomination's ongoing work for justice, inclusion, and love—and how we can plug into that work. And I’m excited to catch up with friends and make new acquaintances!
And guess what—you can plug into General Synod from afar! A livestream will be hosted on a special page of the UCC website to broadcast the plenary sessions and worship gatherings. Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson will preach on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 CDT, and Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks and Rev. Tony Coleman are the featured preachers for opening and closing worship on July 11 and 15.
While I may be heading to KC, my heart is in Texas. As you know, words fall short in describing the devastation and pain so many are experiencing following the flooding in the Hill Country. I didn’t realize how many friends I had with such personal connections to Camp Mystic, La Junta, Heart of the Hills, and Waldemar—and those with family living or vacationing in the area. And while I’m grateful that hundreds have survived and that people are asking the hard questions about how this happened and what can we do to prevent it from happening again, I’m just really sad…really, really sad. I give God thanks for the helpers—the first responders, the brave counselors and neighbors, who helped so many escape the floods, and those who continue to search for the missing. I pray for peace for all who are living with the mental and physical pain of this tragedy, and that they might receive the care and resources they need to recover, and I pray for government officials to not make things worse.
The Hill Country was where I first really learned and began to love the song, “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” and I know that beyond the beautiful landscape, the starry nights, and the sage in bloom, the true heart of Texas is its people. People who will continue to show up in love and resilience to care for each other, rebuild, and work toward healing.
In love and hope,
Jessica
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