Dear Congregation,
Happy Birthday, UCC! This Sunday will be the 66th Anniversary of the vote to combine four smaller denominations into The United Church of Christ. It occurred at General Synod held in Cleveland, Ohio. I can still remember being in worship at my home church, First Evangelical and Reformed Church in Sandusky, OH, when the pastor announced this historic occasion. We members stood talking outside the church afterward wondering exactly what this would mean for our local church.
Time has brought many changes. The UCC has grown into a very progressive denomination and has been on the cutting edge of change by joining faith with action.
Next week General Synod 34 will convene in Indianapolis, IN, from June 30-July 4th. The theme is from Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Keynote speaker is The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber. Some of us had the privilege of attending her presentation at Coral Gables Congregational UCC in November 2022.
I invite you to go to the General Synod 34 web page on <ucc.org> for information on the Resolutions that have been presented for a vote, many of which resonate with our church. There will be an opportunity to view all activities except plenary group discussions on-line. Worship is always wonderful at General Synod, so I encourage you to take advantage of that opportunity. I hope to see you in worship this Sunday at CCC, in person or on Facebook.
God Bless you!
Pastor Candy