Synod Day Two

Here is a brief recap of the first day of Synod;

The UCC has a very good start on General Synod 28.  Representatives from about 100 new church starts came forward with signs printed with the names of the new churches.  We have a five year total of 173 new churches in the UCC.  The Center for Progressive Renewal executive director, Cameron Trimble spoke briefly  about their work and encouraged each local church to think about it's role in creating and renewing local UCC churches. 

Some of the larger issues facing Synod this time are unified governance, frequency of General Synod gatherings, and mutual recognition of Baptism. 

Two new leaders are nominated for important positions in the National setting;  Ben Guess is nominated to head the Local Church Ministries as Executive Minister and Jim Moos has been nominated for election as executive Minister of Wider Church Ministries.  Acceptance speeches from both of these leaders can be found on the UCC website www.ucc.org/synod/

In addition to my family, Ella, Samuel and Shannon as visitors.  Names you may also know;  Rich Plant, Gary Friend, John Schluep, Lori and Ruth Tisher, Jim and Sharon Nelson, Sandy Lueschen, Ray Deuring, Bob Molsberry.

A prominent theme is Mission:1.
11.1.11-11.11.11
That they may all be 1.
One United Church for 11 powerful days to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice.

More information can be found at www.ucc.org/mission1

Mission  Committee take note;  The goal is for UCC churches to collect more than 1 million items of healthy food and household items for local outreach.
Online contributions of more than $111,111 for Neighbors in Need (We observe NIN on World  Communion on the first Sunday of October.)
11,111 letters to congress asking our government to reform foreign assistance to effectively provide benefits for hungry people.  This is being called an "offering of letters".

Everyone told me that it would be unbearably hot in Tampa at this time of year, but actually it has been in the high 70's to low 80's with very enjoyable nights.  

Tomorrow morning we begin conversations in our smaller committee working groups.  I was assigned to the "Affirming Health Care Coverage" committee.  Charged with bringing a concise statement before the larger body, each committee brings together a variety of opinions and suggestions for implementation and makes a presentation of less than 20 minutes for consideration. 

Synod continues through Tuesday, July 5th.


One of the more interesting signs in Florida!