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The Vermont Conference
United Church of Christ
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| Special General Synod Edition | |  | | |
The United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod is the denomination's paramount national gathering, convening every three years to shape the future of the UCC. For those new to the UCC, think of it as our collective family meeting on a grand scale – a place where thousands of delegates, representing our diverse congregations across the country, come together to worship, learn, and make vital decisions about our shared mission and witness in the world.
For those already part of the UCC family, you know the Synod as the beating heart of our denomination. It's where we affirm our commitment to justice, peace, and radical inclusion, crafting resolutions and pronouncements that guide our national ministries and inspire local church action. While respecting our congregational polity, the Synod provides powerful direction and a unified voice for the UCC, empowering us to live out our faith boldly in a world hungry for love and transformation. It's a truly unique blend of spiritual renewal, democratic process, and prophetic witness.
| | Who are our Delegates and What is the Delegate System? | | |
Jane Lo Brutto -Southwest Association
Caryne Eskridge - Addison Association
Rhonda Myers - Southwest
Laura Engelken - Champlain Association
David Schilling - Washington - Association
Kimberly McKerley - Windsor Orange
Ezra Chapola - Windham Union
Shawn Bracebridge -Windham Union
Cameron Matthews -Youth Delegate
and our leaders Lynn Bujnak, Paul Sangree
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The United Church of Christ General Synod relies heavily on its delegate system to ensure representation and facilitate decision-making. Here's a breakdown of how it works:
1. Who are the Delegates?
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Conference-Chosen: The vast majority of delegates are chosen by the 36 Conferences of the UCC from among the members of their local churches. The number of delegates each conference receives is generally proportional to its membership size, similar to the U.S. House of Representatives, with a minimum of three delegates per conference.
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Lay and Clergy: Delegations are required to include both lay (non-clergy) and clergy members. Larger delegations must have at least half their numbers composed of lay people.
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Historically Underrepresented Groups (HUGs): There are also dedicated delegates from Historically Underrepresented Groups within the UCC.
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UCC Board Members: The 52 members of the United Church of Christ Board also serve as delegates.
2. How are Delegates Selected?
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Conference Responsibility: The process for selecting delegates primarily rests with each individual UCC Conference. This often involves a nomination and election process within the conference, ensuring a representative cross-section of their churches.
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Certification: Once chosen, delegates are accredited by the General Synod Registrar (or assistant) upon presentation of proper credentials.
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Substitutes: Conferences are responsible for certifying substitutes in case of delegate vacancies due to illness or emergency.
3. What Do Delegates Do at General Synod?
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Voting: Delegates are the voting members of the General Synod. They cast votes on all official business, including:
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Resolutions: These are formal statements of the General Synod's stance on moral, ethical, or religious matters (Resolutions of Witness) or for establishing church policy and procedures (Prudential Resolutions). Resolutions are often debated, amended, and then voted upon.
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Bylaw Changes: Delegates vote on proposed amendments to the UCC's Constitution and Bylaws, which govern the structure and function of the wider church.
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Budgets: They authorize budgets for the national ministries of the UCC.
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Elections: They elect individuals to various leadership positions within the denomination, such as members of the UCC Board and the General Synod Nominating Committee.
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Committee Work: Before plenary sessions, many resolutions are assigned to committees composed of delegates. These committees thoroughly review the resolutions, hear from proponents and opponents, may amend the language, and then make a recommendation to the full Synod.
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Debate and Discernment: Delegates engage in spirited debate and discernment during plenary sessions, discussing the merits of various proposals and striving to find common ground and discern God's call for the church.
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Worship and Fellowship: While business is important, delegates also participate in inspirational worship services and have opportunities for fellowship, networking, and learning from others across the denomination.
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Representing their Conferences: Delegates are expected to bring the perspectives and concerns of their home conferences and local churches to the national level, while also considering the wider needs of the denomination.
4. The Non-Binding Nature (Congregational Polity):
It's crucial to remember that while delegates make significant decisions at the General Synod, the UCC operates under a congregational polity. This means that decisions made by the General Synod are not binding on individual UCC congregations, associations, or conferences. Instead, they serve as a witness and guide, offering direction and inspiration for the wider church's work. Local churches are encouraged to give "serious consideration" to these decisions and discern how they apply in their local contexts. In essence, delegates are the voices of the UCC's diverse membership, bringing their insights and convictions to a national forum to collectively shape the denomination's mission and witness.
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Below is the news/information from the 35th General Synod
(you can click on the title links to view the videos that were live streamed and read more links)
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In today’s opening worship service, the congregation was grounded in the rhythms of justice and communal confession, gathered to do more than sing and pray—to reconcile.
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Living Beyond the Numbers: A Call to the UCC’s Embodied Future
Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC General Minister and President/CEO offered a reflection on the state of the church that moves beyond metrics into something far more spiritual and urgent: a reckoning with who we say we are, and what we’re truly called to be.
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The Rev. Jennifer Butler did not mince words during her keynote address to the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ, saying “these are terrifying times.”
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Greetings from Kansas City General Synod 35, “Into the Deep”!
For the ninth time, I am at General Synod! This is my second one in Kansas City where I attended previously as a delegate from the (then) Massachusetts Conference UCC in 2001. Being an extroverted person, and loving to socialize, I usually prefer to go as a visitor so I can have plenty of time for catching up with friends and meeting new people. This year, my son Cameron, who turns 15 in a few days, came with me to participate in the Youth at Synod program. When we were in transit on Wednesday, Paul Sangree sent an email to me that I picked up during our flight layover in Atlanta. It turns out the Kevin and Simon, two of the originally scheduled delegates, could not make it, and our Vermont delegation needed a couple people to fill in. Paul asked if we might be able to sit in for them! I was glad to do it, as it has been so long since I have been a delegate, but Cameron was a little bit uncertain and anxious about it. I assured him that it would be a positive experience, and that if he wanted to use his voice, the Synod would be grateful to hear his input. I also told him that there would be many others around to help him through the experience. Lynn, Paul, and Jackie worked behind the scenes to get us set up as delegates, and get our credentials in order. Cameron and I got to work as we needed to study up fast for the work of Synod!
So far, we have shared in worship with exciting music by a band from a multicultural, multiracial UCC church from St. Louis. We heard them first at the opening gathering for the youth at Synod on the first day. Cameron participated in the opening worship of Synod, carrying the heavy cross in the procession. The sermon during worship today (Sunday) from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, our UCC General Minister and CEO was deep and invigorating. We have heard an address from Rev. Shari Prestemon, who will be elected our Associate General Minister this week. Small committees have been working on improving and tweaking resolutions that the whole Synod will take up in the coming days. We all attended workshops today, choosing from an amazing variety of topics. Cameron was able to interact again with the youth program a bit today, attending a special meeting with Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson arranged just for the youth, where he received communion. During the break times, we have had the chance to see a few of the sights of Kansas City, Missouri.
Yesterday, after a long session of working on resolutions in committee, Cameron expressed to me how unexpectedly interesting this experience has been so far. The attendees of Synod come from all over the country, and there is deliberate inclusion of a wide diversity of people. Cameron is a person of color, and he has appreciated participating in the work of the Church in all of its diversity. He is grateful to be included in the process of doing the business at this level of the wider United Church of Christ. I appreciate how the Vermont delegation has welcomed and included us, and it has been a pleasure to be here to serve.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Shawn Bracebridge
Pastor and Teacher
Dummerston Congregational Church, UCC
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Until this year, Alaska had four United Church of Christ congregations. Now it has five. And the fifth one just attracted 350 young people.
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In one Synod workshop, people in a wide circle sang together, “We believe what we need most are the hearts of each other right here.”
These words, taught by leaders from Music that Makes Community, exemplify the kinds of deep connection, spirituality, and resource-sharing enabled when people gather.
And that’s what General Synod workshops are all about.
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The Rev. Shari Prestemon was elected the Associate General Minister, Co-Executive of Global Ministries by delegates to General Synod 35 on Monday, July 14 after serving in that capacity as the acting AGM for 18 months.
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The General Synod elected 12 at large members to the United Church of Christ Board at its Plenary session on Monday, July 14.
The UCC Board comprises up to 52 members, of whom 36 are elected by General Synod. Under the current UCC Bylaws, members serve over the course of three General Synods, or six years. With the change to a triennial Synod, this would result in nine-year terms for UCC Board members.
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General Synod 35 delegates elected a Moderator and Assistant Moderator for the next General Synod in 2028.
Jean Avison of Beaverton, Ore., the current Assistant Moderator, was elected as Moderator by the body. The Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell of Amherst, Mass. was elected Assistant Moderator.
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The United Church of Christ took a step July 14 to deepen its relationship with a very old friend.
The UCC’s General Synod, meeting in Kansas City, voted to be in “full communion” with its longtime partner, the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, or the Protestant Church in Germany.
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U.S. and Puerto Rican church partners who parted ways nearly 20 years ago took a big step back toward each other on July 14. Meeting in Kansas City, the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ declared the church to be in ‘full communion’ with its longtime Caribbean partner, Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico. The UCC Board had brought the proposal to the Synod with encouragement from leaders of the Puerto Rican church, after years of conversation.
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RESPONDING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ATTACK ON IMMIGRANTS, MIGRANTS, AND REFUGEES
At the 35th General Synod, delegates responded in favor voting to approve (627 in favor, 8 against, and 1 abstaining) the emergency resolution from the Southwest Conference, calling to reaffirm UCC’s commitment to immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights. The resolution comes amid rising anti-immigrant policies, including expanded detentions and the rollback of protections.
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With a resounding vote of 628 in favor (3 against, 4 abstentions) the Declaration of Support for Philippine Human Rights, a Resolution of Witness, sailed through the plenary of General Synod 35 on July 14.
Committee chair Rev. Terry Parrish introduced it to the Synod crowd saying “It is imperative that we continue to speak to human rights violations still occurring in the Philippines under the auspices of a war on drugs. It is time for us to speak for our neighbor because there may be a day when we need someone to speak for us.”
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The Manual on Local Church (MLC) is now available for download!
The Manual on Local Church includes: I. Introduction; II. the Congregational Code; III. Marks for Faithful and Vital Local Churches; IV Local Church Standing, Support and Accountability; V. Resources; VI; Glossary; Bibliography.
The Manual on Local Church is a resource for Local Churches to embody faithful and vital witness and ministry...
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Following a ‘very open and free flowing discussion,’ the General Synod adopted a resolution recognizing the Small Town and Rural (STAR) Coalition of the United Church of Christ as a Self-Created Group on Monday, July 14. The resolution, which passed 372 for to 244 against, with 55 delegates abstaining, was sponsored by several UCC Conferences, arrived on the Synod floor with the lightest of modifications on its face: a pair of technical edits to the group’s designation in compliance with the Bylaws. But it became clear that reservations were on the minds of more than a few delegates.
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GABE AT SPEAKOUT TELLS J0KES AND LIGHTENS THE MOOD
"I was going to tell you a paper joke, but it was terrible!"
" I was going to tell you a construction joke, but I am still working on it"
"Why are they called Pop Tarts instead of Mom Tarts?" Because of the pastry-archy!
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The United Church of Christ’s 70th birthday will be a little different.
The denomination has always marked its round-numbered milestones in odd-numbered years, and always at a General Synod. The memorable 50th, for example, was celebrated in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2007, with Synod speakers like Barack Obama, Bill Moyers and Marian Wright Edelman.
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Delegates to General Synod 35 overwhelmingly approved an emergency resolution that opposes Trump administration immigration policies, supports immigrants and refugees, and calls for antiracism work.
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Following heartfelt discussion and careful consideration, General Synod took a clear stand in naming the ongoing genocide of Palestinians “a humanitarian crisis that calls for immediate action.”
As the “Declaration for an End to Genocide in Palestine” was brought to the delegate body, the Rev. Emma Loane, chair of the resolution’s committee #11 and delegate from the Indiana Kentucky Conference, named an awareness of “bearing the weight of a topic of immense global urgency marked by devastating human cost and long, painful histories behind every word.”
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The UCC National Collaborative on Immigration gathered on the steps of the Kansas City Conference Center on July 14 to call on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to stop the raids, family separation, and disappearances of community members that have been escalating under the Trump administration. Over 200 people joined in the emotional protest where they rallied, chanted and prayed to speak out against these raids. Protestors held signs that said, “Love knows no borders” and “Her love melts ICE.”
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General Synod Delegates were engaging in faithful and urgent deliberation around the two resolutions.
| | | | Neighbors from the Hawaii Conference gifted our delegates with colorful necklaces and delicious candy! | | MANY THANKS TO OUR OUTGOING MODERATOR AND BEST WISHES TO OUR NEWEST MODERATORS | | Rev. A. Rushan Sinnaduray | | Susan Cartmell and Jean Avison, Moderator Elect | |
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This homecoming will mark the fifth time Cleveland has hosted a General Synod and the first of the new triennial system, with previous gatherings in 2015, 1987, 1960, and 1957, the first Synod after the UCC was formed.
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Become a Global Mission Church!
Global Ministries is a joint witness in mission between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Join us in our mission to receive and share the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining with global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation and peace
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Need Help? Contact the Vermont Conference UCC Staff:
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