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Connecticut Youth Going to General Synod

HARTFORD (03/02/2007) -- It's being held for the first time in our own home state, and it's going to be the biggest celebration our denomination has ever had, so we're extending a warm invitation to Connecticut's youth to attend the 50th Anniversary General Synod in Hartford this coming June 21-26. Each Conference has been challenged to send 50 youth to Synod. It's in our home state; let's send more!

The Rev. Mark L. Heishorn, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Woodbury, has accepted the role of Connecticut's Youth Liaison for Synod, and will help local leaders make arrangements for their youth group members to attend and participate. He may be reached at 203.263.2846 or pastorheilshorn@charterinternet.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation

This service should be arranged locally. Some groups are already planning to travel together using local bus services to and from the Synod sites in Hartford.

Registration

Youth registration is $100.00, and it is $150.00 for adult leaders. Note that all youth must be accompanied by adult leaders: 1 adult for every 5 youth. If groups contain both male and female young people, there must also be male and female adults with them.

Housing

Youth housing will be at the University of Hartford. Rooms, including breakfast meals, are $33.00 per night or $165.00 for five nights. Linens are $15.00 for the week. We suggest you bring your own single-mattress bedding.

Total Cost

Registration and housing total $265.00 for each youth and $315.00 for each adult. This does not include linens, lunches, dinners, and incidentals.

Meals

As of this date, there is no information about a meal plan. One is being created because many have asked for one. It is not included in the costs above.

Youth should be entering 9th grade in the fall of 2007, or have just graduated from high school in June.

The latest information about General Synod events may be found on the UCC General Synod web site.

Details

We ask that all youth be part of a local church youth group for organizational purposes. If 1-3 youth from your small church wish to attend, find a nearby church with a group and ask to join them—or join with several other small churches in the same situation and form a group. If you have any problems with this, let Mark Heilshorn know and he will help you find another group as he becomes aware of them.

Group Leaders

Please—each youth group should have one adult assigned to be the “Go To” person to assist your group in registration, housing (room assignments), gathering forms, and payment for housing. This person needs to make sure that your group is organized during Synod.

Registration (All Must Register Online)

• Important, before you register: If your leader has not set up an “affiliate panel” yet (which essentially means group name), call Gloria Otis at 216.736.3875 and request an “affiliate panel.”
• Go to www.ucc.org.
• Find the General Synod link in the box on the left of the home page, then click on Register Online.
• Register as either “Youth Visitor” or “Visitor (Full Event)” if you are an adult leader.
• From the drop-down menu for “Conference/group,” select “Connecticut.”
• From the drop-down menu just below the Conference selection, again select Connecticut in order to connect to our “affiliate panel.”
• After selecting our state, the screen will refresh and a group of affiliates in our state will appear. Select the appropriate “affiliate panels” from the list.
• The rest of registration should be self-explanatory—you will be asked about special lunches and being part of a service project.
• You will pay the registration fee online so a credit card will be needed.
• Make sure you sign up for housing with your group leader.

After you register, everyone (youth and adults) must fill out Safe Church behavioral covenant forms for your own church. We also recommend that each church create a medical authorization form in case of any emergencies. These forms must be kept by the group leader.

Housing

Females and males will be housed on separate floors in the dorm rooms at the University of Hartford. Our Conference Safe Church Policy strongly recommends that your adults be housed in separate rooms. If your church has Safe Church covenants, these forms need to be filled out and kept with your group leader.

Group Leaders: Please make room assignments for your groups. Housing forms are available from GSHousing@ucc.org. However, you must be part of an “affiliate panel” to have access to these forms. Deadline for housing at University of Hartford is March 15.