There is just no way that the experience of General Synod can be summarized. It was inspiritational, exhilirating, moving beyond all expectations.
Accessible to All
General Synod 26 was an event like nothing we’ve seen before. More than 10,000 people gathered in Hartford to worship and sing, discuss and discern, pray and praise — and celebrate the 5oth anniversary of the United Church of Christ. Synod made a profound impact on the gathered Church, and will continue to challenge and inspire us as we enter the next 50 years of faithful witness. We did, indeed, Let It Shine!
Synod was the embodiment of our diversity and our oneness… Synod reaffirmed for me once more how blessed I am to be a member of the United Church of Christ.
Multi-Racial,
Muiti-Cultural Church
From cookies to volunteers to every other aspect, your work contributed to a memorable and historic Synod like no other... Thank you, and thank God for you!
You have given uncounted members of us a special and memorable gift. We shall not forget Hartford, the 50th Anniversary of the United Church of Christ, nor the extravagant welcome of the Connecticut Conference.
Please know that you have raised the bar for Synods in the near future to match your local arrangements for this Synod.
Just Peace
I believe the Holy Spirit moved among us and gave us direction for our next 50 years.
Dear Reverend Crabtree,
It was my pleasure to have the honor to greet such a spectacular crowd. Your gathering was a blessing to have in the City of Hope and Opportunity. The Synod in the City created energy and enthusiasm -- the kind we are striving to achieve on a regular basis. This is waht New England's Rising Star can and will be. Thank you for believing and we welcome you again as a convention and as individuals.
Thanks for the magic!
Sincerely,
Eddie A. Perez
Mayor
Open and
Affirming
There is no other word to describe it; General Synod 26 was “de-light-ful!” We were stirred by the Spirit, blessed and challenged by speakers, inundated with the responsibility of making decisions, moved by the music and, over and over again, graced by worship.
empowering and inspiring gift to us all -- and we have Nutmeggers to thank.
United and Uniting
As the Civic Center lights dimmed and the people gathered softly sang “This Little Light of Mine,” each person received a touch of light from the person sitting on one side of them and then were invited to share that light with their neighbor on the other side. At one point all you could see was the shared light aglow in every direction. In that moment, it was as if the United Church of Christ was surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
During the closing minutes of the Synod we passed the light – mechanical, color changing – something like New Years. When I returned home, I passed that light to our first grandchild. I pray he will keep it Shining.
It was obvious that we were a reunited family enjoying each other’s company, and realizing that together we can make quite an impact for Christ in this world!... General Synod renewed my faith and increased my excitement for being a part of a church that is called to be the servant of all.
God
is
Still
Speaking
I wish every member of every UCC church could have the opportunity to take advantage of the General Synod experience. We celebrated, deliberated and worshipped with joy, thoughtfulness, and prayerfulness.
We brought over 25 folks from Long Beach, California and this was the first General Synod experience for most of them. They’ll be back!
