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Letter from Kendrick, March, 2007 |
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 The year 2007 is an important landmark in the life of the United Church of Christ. As a denomination we are 50 years old. We were formed in 1957 as a merger between two denominations: the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Both of these churches were also the result of two denominations coming together in the 1930’s. Hence the motto of the United Church of Christ: “That all may be one” (John 17:21). These are Jesus’ words, spoken in the final prayer for his disciples both present and future. And so we say of ourselves, as the United Church of Christ, that we are a “uniting and a united church.” In fact, we have one of the most diverse populations of any denomination. Given the fragmentation of the world into religious factions that are growing more radical, our welcoming and inclusive stance is essential. The United Church of Christ seeks to be Multiracial, Multicultural, Open and Affirming, and Accessible to All - A Church where everyone is welcome!
The good news is that the gathering of our Denomination, called SYNOD, is happening in Connecticut this year. You are invited to help celebrate our 50 years as a denomination seeking to follow the way of Jesus. It will take place at the Hartford Civic Center, June 22-26, 2007. There are several ways you can participate: (1) you can attend as a visitor. You must sign up and you can do this at www.ucc.org. Click on “General Synod” to the left of your screen. (2) You can volunteer to help provide an extravagant welcome to the more than 7,000 attending from all over the United States and beyond. Go to http://www.ctucc.org/synod2007/ to sign up. At the very least be prepared to bake cookies for delegates and visitors. This is a treasured tradition of Synod. (3) Take advantage of the many cultural, intellectual and learning experiences that will be offered during “Synod in the city” on June 23, 2007 at the Civic Center and throughout downtown Hartford. The day begins with worship and a keynote speech from Bill Moyers and concludes with a birthday festival at the Civic Center in the evening. (4) Join in the Festival Worship on June 24, 2007 at 3 PM. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of worship with UCC people from across the United States and beyond. It will be a celebration of our covenant together. And you can be sure the worship will be as diverse as it is enriching. [See the videos in honor of the 50th anniversary Synod here and here. - editor.] I encourage you to keep informed by following Synod information at the two websites listed above and to sign up to attend or help. I was privileged to attend the last two Synods—2003 in Minneapolis and 2005 in Atlanta—as a delegate representing our area churches. The faithfulness, the energy, the enthusiasm, the great diversity of the United Church of Christ is a wonder to behold and deeply inspiring. Kendrick
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