The finest Conference of the United Church of Christ presents: PSEC Strong, a General Synod Kick-Off Event.

For the full schedule and a detailed description of the event, click here.

To register for the Friday event at Fork & Ale Restaurant in Douglassville or the Saturday kick-off party at Old First Reformed Church in Philadelphia, visit psec.org/general-synod.

From July 11 – 18, Special Edition General Synod, will include powerful worship, not-to-miss keynote speakers, 50 workshops, youth programming and business sessions. To accommodate different time zones, many sessions will take place in the afternoon and evenings.

This is a great opportunity for you to attend a General Synod without having to travel. In order to support that, we are offering the following assistance for you to attend General Synod: The cost to sign up for General Synod as a visitor (non-delegate) is $100. The first 25 people to email Sue Creswell (susan@psec.org) will have their entire $100 paid by the Conference. The next 200 individuals who sign up for General Synod and submit to Sue Creswell their receipt, will receive a $50 rebate on their $100 registration fee. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience all that General Synod has to offer!

For information on General Synod 33 and the link to register, visit generalsynod.org.

UCC Resources is selling General Synod stoles, communion sets, altar cloths, jigsaw puzzles, tote bags, notebooks, face masks! Order yours today at uccresources.com.

Eleven resolutions will come before the delegates at General Synod 33. For a brief recap of these resolutions, click here.

The UCC officers invite the entire church to join a 21-Day Prayer Journey to General Synod. Click here for more information.

“Beyond White Privilege: How Churches Can Engage in Building Peace in Our Societies," featuring Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister, on July 28 1:00 to 4:00. We are extremely excited and honored that Rev. Blackmon has agreed to present the keynote address for us. Since we have not yet reached the point that it is safe for us to gather in person, the entire event will take place on Zoom and will be conducted in English. After the Rev. Blackmon’s presentation there will be an opportunity for small group discussions with both American and German colleagues. The problem of racism is an extremely important one in both our countries, and we anticipate a fruitful conversation about how the church in both our settings can be engaged as peacemakers in our respective societies. To register, click here.

If we have churches and individuals who want to support the UCC response to the building collapse in Miami, please let them know that the UCC is working with the Miami long-term recovery committee (FRIEND) in serving those who have been affected by the collapse. The UCC is seeking funds so we can make grants to support this effort. To make a gift online go to ucc.org/general-donation/. In the fund drop down select Emergency USA. In the designation box you can write Building Collapse in Miami. Complete the rest of the form. Or - You may make a gift by mailing a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, to 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Please be sure to note Emergency USA - Miami Response on your check in the memo section and/or in an attached letter.

The financial ministries of the UCC are offering the following pre-Synod workshops to help churches meet their needs and find solutions to their challenges. To join, visit

frontline-faith.teachable.com.

On July 15 at 2:00p, the Insurance Board will host a webinar on "COVID-19 Liability Considerations for Ministers," providing guidance on current COVID-19 HR and liability considerations. For more info, click here. To register, click here.

Bethany Children's Home, an Open and Affirming partner in ministry with the UCC, is seeking a Chaplain on its Womelsdorf campus! As a member of the Bethany community, you would be invited to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship sacraments, blessings and joys of our community as we seek to grow in faith and love. For more information, visit bethanyhome.org/employment/.

The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative team, in promoting racial justice, is offering banners and yard signs free to churches and individuals.

For those who are able, we are suggesting a love offering of $70 per banner (image of the 4’x10’ Vinyl Banner with grommets below) and $7 per yard sign (image of the 18’’x24’’ Yard sign above right). The love offerings will go to further our efforts in this sacred ministry of racial equity and justice. To order, please email Anne Cormier at annecormier@comcast.net. Include in the subject box “banner” or “yard sign”.

Book Discussion being offered Tuesdays at 3:00p and 7:30p for six weeks June 1- July 6. The study will focus on Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019. For Zoom links and weekly curriculum, visit the Racial Justice taskforce webpage here.

Some proposed climate policies have been described as false solutions by activists and policy analysts because they fall short in meeting the moral demands of science, equity, and justice. Learn what faith communities need to know in this webinar that will feature Leah Stokes, who authored Short Circuiting Policy, and Gabriela Sarri-Tobar, who serves the Center for Biological Diversity as the Energy Justice Campaigner. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1:00p on July 22, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording.

Visit the Coronavirus Resources page at PSEC.org for resources related to re-opening, virus facts, disaster resources, and worship resources. Also on that page is the PSEC virtual church list. If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, use this list to find a church in PSEC that is holding online worship.