General Synod is a “WOW!” Experience. It’s like being swept up and carried along on a huge wave of fellowship, worship, awakening and fun. And, oh yes, there is the serious business of the United Church of Christ – which is not to be taken lightly.
This year, I had the honor, privilege and responsibility of serving as a delegate from the Southern California Nevada Conference (SCNC) to the 27th General Synod, which was held June 26th-30th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I jumped at the chance because of my experience at the 26th Synod in Hartford, Connecticut when the UCC celebrated its 50th birthday. I was a visitor then and had an awesome time as I experienced the United Church of Christ on the national level for the first time. I was blown away by the scale of the celebration – the ethereal stage that served as dais and altar, the music, dance, speeches, presentations, projections and more. I was completely won over by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the thousands of “strangers” with whom I celebrated and amazed at the power and magnificence of the worship experiences shared with them.
As the time drew near, I wondered what I had gotten myself into, felt concern about the responsibility of representing the SCNC in the national setting. I knew only one of the other delegates (11 of us, representatives from every Association in the Conference) and was becoming aware of the serious issues to be voted on at Synod. Our Interim Conference Minister, The Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman, scheduled 2 telephone conferences for us to prepare for Synod and discuss expectations and procedures. Faceless voices and anonymous breathing, these were my teammates. I had to smile when I thought about my upcoming adventure.
Finally, the appointed day arrived. I left home in the pre-dawn dark to catch my flight, armed with an assortment of clothing as the weather in Grand Rapids seemed rather erratic (hot to rather cool; rainy, sunny, windy), and copies of the many reports and resolutions to be discussed at Synod.
When I arrived in Chicago to change planes, I made sure my beaded comma pin was visible. I was certain most of the passengers boarding my plane were going to Synod. I wasn’t disappointed. Within a few minutes, a lady approached and asked if I were going to Synod. As we chatted, a young lady came closer, saying she had overheard our talk of Synod and she, too, was headed there. Already a connection, a bond, a sense of belonging. The anticipation increased when we landed in Grand Rapids and were welcomed by huge banners. When I checked in for the shuttle to my hotel, I was greeted with a smile and a cookie. (Smiles and cookies are synonymous with Synod )
Grand Rapids was a-buzz about Synod, the largest convention ever held there. There was lots of curiosity about who we were. And, we were everywhere. It took many hotels to house us and a special detail of police to direct traffic when there was a break in our sessions. For 5 days downtown Grand Rapids revolved around our Synod. Restaurants even adjusted their hours to meet our needs. In this time of great economic stress in Michigan, we were recipients of an extravagant welcome. All this, and Synod had not even begun.
The SCNC delegates had agreed to meet at 8am on June 26 to get acquainted over breakfast. That was our “late” morning. After that, it was 6:30! That wasn’t as bad as anticipated, though I did feel sleep-deprived throughout the week. But that was partly because I was reluctant to end each exciting day.
Synod offers a wide range of activities and opportunities to explore, learn, discuss, worship, serve and fellowship. There are programs and activities for children youth and young adults, accommodation and assistance for those with special needs and an orientation for first time attendees.
FRIDAY
The first official activity was a series of hearings, an opportunity to listen to presentations and ask questions about issues, concerns and topics to be brought to the delegates for action. In the first set we had to choose among Proposed Constitution & By-laws Changes; Understanding Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) and Budgets; Nominating Committee procedures; Conversation with the Rev. Geoffrey Black (nominee for General Minister & President); Conversation with the Rev. Linda Jaramillo (nominee for Executive Minister for Justice and Witness Ministries and Officer of the Church) and Conversation with the Rev. Stephen Sterner (nominee for Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries and Officer of the Church). A tough choice! The second set focused on the biggest issue of Synod: Single Governance.
Later we assembled for the first two plenary sessions and Opening Worship, which set the tone for Synod. The preacher of the evening was the Rev. Otis Moss III, new pastor (replacing the The Rev. Jeremiah Wright) of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Prior to the sermon, we were “wowed” by the combined choirs and liturgical dancers from Trinity. The sermon, a double “wow,” was the talk of the Synod and left my fatigued mind and body too keyed up to sleep. The topic, from Revelations 1:8, was “God’s Punctuation.” As stated by Rev. Moss, “Only God has the right to write a period.” (Visit the UCC website to hear the sermon - see references at end of article.)
SATURDAY
Saturday at Synod is becoming a phenomenon unto itself. It is a day of diverse cultural and intellectual offerings. River City Saturday began with a brief worship service, followed by a keynote address by Eugene Robinson, Assistant Managing Editor and columnist for the Washington Post. He focused on his vivid memories of segregation and the civil rights protests, in particular the Orangeburg Massacre, and his reflections on the 2008 presidential election.
For the rest of the day, visitors and delegates scurried among more than one hundred offerings, ranging from Bible studies to musical presentations, kite flying to theatrical presentations, book signings to robotic demonstrations and fine arts.
SUNDAY
Sunday began with a series of “Sacred Conversations on Race.” Participants selected one to attend. Those I spoke to found them deeply meaningful and enlightening. The Wow factor was continuing! Sunday afternoon, we celebrated a community worship led by the Rev. John Thomas, outgoing General Minister and President. Sunday evening, the challenging work of Synod began in earnest. Delegates, assigned at random to serve on the various committees, deliberated on many resolutions submitted by conferences and interest groups from throughout the UCC. Seven hours were allotted to complete the work, which would result in a recommendation to the body of the General Synod. Some had relatively easy work, while others dealt with issues that could change the face and/or functioning of the denomination. This was a serious time with much attention to detail.
MONDAY and TUESDAY
Most of Monday and Tuesday was spent on the serious work of the Synod. Reports were made, debated and voted on as required. Elections were held, people were recognized, awarded and honored. Missionaries were commissioned, new officers were installed, “thanks” and the invitation to the next Synod were extended. Interspersed in the seriousness were music and fun. At the end of the final session, a “General Synod Wrap-up Video” was shown - highlights of all we had done and experienced.
Following dinner on Tuesday, we gathered for the Closing Worship service and communion. Can you imagine serving communion to 4000 people? The attention to planning and detail that was pervasive throughout Synod was epitomized in this moving ritual. And with that, the 27th Synod concluded.
These recollections are just some of the highlights. There were also the vendors, the Exhibition Hall, the Sponsored meals and walks around Grand Rapids. Interactions with the locals, encounters with long lost friends and acquaintances and new friendships begun are also poignant parts of the experience.
I brought back lots of items to “show and tell” and over 300 photographs that I snapped (and snapped and snapped). I hope I you’ll have questions to ask me. I also hope you will think about attending the next Synod (GS28), in Tampa, Florida in July (?) 2011, and/or volunteering for a planning committee for the 2013 Synod in Long Beach. We will be the host Conference!
I am already looking forward to GS 28. Having become a “Synod junkies” who thrives off being “WOWED,” I can hardly wait to see what they plan for us next time. * * * You may have questions about where to find information/content from General Synod. Here are some basics:
1) Videos of various GS highlights can be found in the “Video Gallery” which is arranged by day and event: http://www.ucc.org/synod/videos/ (It may take a few moments to load larger files, but they are available and easy to locate.) 2) Full videos of significant speeches and sermons are forthcoming soon, but will be located on that same page once available: http://www.ucc.org/synod/videos/ 3) Text documents of speeches and sermons will be posted at “Significant Speeches” but only as they are made available to us: http://www.ucc.org/news/significant-speeches/ 4) News stories (many with video), as well as links to daily Synod KYePs and daily UCNews Digests, can be located at the news portal: http://www.ucc.org/news 5) Photos galore are located in the photo gallery: http://www.ucc.org/synod/photos/ 6) Text documents of approved resolutions appear here (subject to approval of GS minutes by Executive Council at fall meeting): http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/
