General Synod 29

The 29th General Synod meeting of the United Church of Christ was held this past week in Long Beach, California. As a delegate who represented the Ohio Conference, its Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association, and Shiloh Church, I participated in a working committee of the national church setting, voted on a host of resolutions, and engaged in dialogue and worship with more than 4,000 participants. It was a tremendously challenging and energizing week.

 

Shiloh has already heard and read about the Vision Plan of the United Church of Christ, its Core Values, Bold, Inspirational Goals (BIG's), and the strategies through which the United Church of Christ may, in all of its settings, be faithful to this unified vision. What has surprised many here at Shiloh is less about the groundbreaking directions of the Vision Plan than it is just how far Shiloh is ahead of the curve. Already, this congregation has been, and is, actively engaged in ministries and missions that are reflected in the Vision Plan. Shiloh is already well advanced in conservation strategies, extravagant welcome and hospitality, pursuing increased diversity, concentration on outreach ministries and attention to issues of justice and peace.

 

There were fourteen working resolutions that were offered through the UCC Executive Council. I will simply list them here for your information:

1. Calling for the United Church of Christ to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery, which authorized the genocide of Native People and the theft of Native Lands.

2. On making UCC Church buildings more carbon neutral.

3. Resolution against bullying and discrimination.

4. Opposing mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia.

5. Calling for an all-Church offering supporting the educational expenses of Members in Discernment, preparing for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ.

6. Urging divestment from fossil fuel companies.

7. Advocating tax reform as Christian stewardship and public duty and advocating for funding to construct quality affordable housing.

8. The Unites Samoan ministries of the United Church of Christ recognized as n historically underrepresented group and a member of the Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries.

9. To recognize the need for compassionate care and healing to our veterans.

10. Opposing actions that seek to undermine the status of women in society.

11. Restructuring of Conference Boundaries.

12. Call to respond to drug-related violence in Honduras that results from the illegal drug market in the United States.

13. Supporting compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform and protection of the human rights of immigrants.

14. Developing ecumenical relationship between the United Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada. 

 

I served on the committee that prepared the resolution that opposes mountaintop coal mining in Appalachia. It was a surprisingly complex issue that involved everything from employment possibilities to impact on local economies to arsenic and cadmium in the drinking water of those who live nearby mountaintop coal mining. After considerable editing and meaningful conversation, the resolution was forwarded to the plenary for action. Unfortunately, I flew back to Dayton before the vote on this particular resolution, arriving in time for my wife's 50th birthday party.

 

Readers of The Shiloh Insider will see much more information from the 29th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I hope that you will be moved to celebrate being part of the United Church of Christ and proud that Shiloh Church is already living out the shared vision.