Committee deliberates Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism July 3, 2011
The committee considering the recommendation to approve the "Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism" began deliberations Sunday with a statement by General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey Black.
Israel-Palestine resolution receives vote of 'no action' July 3, 2011
After three hours of deliberation, the committee debating the Israeli-Palestinian resolution recommended that General Synod take no action on the resolution called "In Support of Effective and Constructive Peacemaking between Palestinians and Israelis through Positive Investment in Palestine."
Worship invites UCC to become a 'living water change' July 3, 2011
At a time when around 60 percent of UCC churches have fewer than 100 members, nothing teases our imaginations about what might be possible in our own local church like worshiping God in a General Synod setting.
Synod to vote on international LGBT rights July 3, 2011
By a unanimous approval Sunday morning, a resolution to raise awareness of international instances of systematic discrimination, violence and abuse targeting persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity was forwarded to General Synod 28 for vote.
Roy Juarez Jr.: 'A dream is a gift we give ourselves' July 2, 2011
Roy Juarez Jr. learned difficult lessons early in life. And he told a group of General Synod delegates and visitors, "If you grow up with a tough life, you have learned lessons that cannot be taught in a book."
Youth activist Shelby Knox shares her story July 2, 2011
Shelby Knox didn’t set out to be a youth activist. She just did what she thought needed to be done. One of the featured Suncoast Saturday speakers, Shelby shared her inspiring story with workshop attendees.
Violins erupt at General Synod 28 assembly July 2, 2011
When General Synod 28 planners were asked "Who ya gonna call?" to follow Leonard Pitts’ inspirational keynote speech Saturday morning in the Plenary Hall of the Tampa Convention Center, they chose a couple of bona fide barrier-busters.
Sammak: God's promises revealed in Torah, Bible, Qu'ran July 2, 2011
Mohammed Sammak, Secretary General of Lebanon’s Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, sought to correct misunderstandings about Islam during his Suncoast Saturday presentation at General Synod 28.
Richard Twiss: Getting comfortable with ambiguity July 2, 2011
Theologically speaking, Richard Twiss describes himself as a recovering evangelical and a former Catholic. But, he says, the labels don’t matter as much as the life a person lives.
'Suncoast Saturday' ends with celebration of possibilities July 2, 2011
A giant, musical thank you note was delivered Saturday night as GS28 paused for a celebration of journeys completed, possibilities achieved and one nearly successful invitation.
Merritt: Young adults 'missing from our congregations' July 2, 2011
One by one, people stood to describe what formed their generation: the Vietnam War for those in their 60s; Watergate and the crisis of trust in institutions for those in their 50s. Those in their 40s recalled the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of the personal computer.
Pitts challenges UCC to make headlines for social justice July 2, 2011
Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. during Saturday's keynote address, called on the UCC to shed predictability and get a little crazy on behalf of the marginalized in society.
