Rev Paige's Corner: UCC General Synod
Every three years, the United Church of Christ gathers for a large national meeting with delegates, leaders, and visitors from around the world. General Synod is gathering from July 10-15 in Kansas City and promises to be filled with much excitement! Our theme this year is "Into the Deep."
Much of the focus when we talk about General Synod is often about the resolutions offered up for consideration and debate. In our congregational governance, GS doesn't speak for local congregations or Conferences. It speaks for itself, and it directs the work of the national setting of the church. But as covenant partners, we are encouraged to prayerfully consider what Synod says - in the same way that Synod is encouraged to prayerfully consider what local churches have to say. In fact, many of the resolutions being discussed originated in local churches and have worked through a process to come to the floor of the national church.
And - as with any such meeting - there will be the usual budgets, elections and reports to consider. This is often a wonderful way to learn about things going on across the church and to come home with new ideas and resources.
There will be a vast exhibit hall with many sharing resources and information. I often come home with 10 pounds of materials.
But my two favorite aspects of synod are the meaningful worship experiences and the opportunity to see old friends. Synod can feel a lot like a family reunion!
This year, parts of Synod can be livestreams online at: https://www.ucc.org/gs-livestream/
Worship services and plenary sessions of the whole body can be watched that way. Here are sometimes to check in (in Eastern time):
Opening Worship – Friday at 3:30
Sunday Worship at 3 pm
Monday and Tuesday will be a lot of the Plenaries discussing proposed resolutions
Closing Worship – Tuesday at 8:30 pm
You can find the full schedule and all of the text for the resolutions and lots of other interesting material for Synod here: https://generalsynod.org/
New this year, Synod is offering a daily "talk show". The talk show — GS LIVE — will stream via the UCC YouTube page daily from 11:30 – Noon CST, starting Friday, July 11. Co-hosts are Charles Jefferson, news director for UCC News, and Donna Frischknecht Jackson, UCC’s communication specialist.
Guests will explore the General Synod theme of “going into the deep” and will share stories of innovation, hope and opportunity that taking place within the denomination. “The talk show is going to be a wonderful opportunity to bring to the UCC family a closer look at the hearts of those who are working so hard to make a just world for all. Our time together will be a time of sharing the joy and hope that are present always amid the challenges,” said Jackson.
GS LIVE begins Friday, July 11and runs through July 15. The show will be streamed live from 11:30 – Noon CST at https://www.youtube.com/@uccvideos.
I worry sometimes that the settings of the UCC - local churches, associations, conferences and national setting - can feel remote and disconnected from one another. But with such tools as "live streaming", we can all deepen our sense of connectedness and enjoy some of the richness of being church together!
With blessings!
Rev Paige Besse-Rankin
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