News

Jul 01, 2025

What does it mean to be in full communion with another denomination?

The United Church of Christ has long had a commitment to reconciliation among the many branches of the Body of Christ that includes its relationships of full communion. In line with tradition in years past, the 35th General Synod of the UCC, July 11-15 in Kansas City, Missouri, which is the church’s national gathering, will invite heads of full communion to join in witness, and continue to live into our vision that “all may be One.”

Jul 01, 2025

General Synod 35 plenaries to be livestreamed; Sunday worship invites surrounding communities

As many plan to gather for General Synod in Kansas City in just a few weeks, the United Church of Christ National Setting has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.

Jun 24, 2025

Emergency resolutions for Synod consideration address immigration, humanitarian funding, genocide in Palestine

Five new resolutions will come before delegates at the upcoming General Synod 35 in Kansas City. They are now available for review.

These Resolutions of Witness each address current political and humanitarian concerns and were submitted by the May 31 deadline for late-arriving resolutions that could not have been anticipated by the original deadline.

Jun 17, 2025

Call for General Synod 35 worship and choir volunteers

Want to be a part of General Synod in a more meaningful way? There is an opportunity to do that in Kansas City. Registered attendees of General Synod 35 may join the General Synod choir, or volunteer to participate in movement and drama teams to help enliven the worship experience. Those interested should contact Cheryl Lindsay, minister for Worship and Theology at lindsayc@ucc.org to sign-up. There will be zoom rehearsals prior to General Synod as well as onsite during the gathering.

Jun 17, 2025

As the time for General Synod in Kansas City nears, the city celebrates 50 years of Pride

Kansas City is one of many cities around the country that celebrated its 50th anniversary of Pride festivities this month. And Colonial Church in Prairie Village UCC took part in the three-day festival offering glitter tattoos, messages of love and inclusion, and a bright banner encouraging people to “Do justice and love all.”

Jun 03, 2025

Proposed Constitution & Bylaws Changes Regarding Unified Governance for Consideration by General Synod 35

This summer, General Synod 35 will review and act on three different sets of proposed amendments to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws. This is the third article in a series of articles regarding the proposed amendments. (Here is the first article. Here is the second article.) You can also find a Frequently Asked Questions Document here, and you can register for the next Webinar about these changes using the information below:

May 27, 2025

Service Project at General Synod 35 encourages churches to build ‘banned book’ libraries

The practice of banning books has been at an all-time high. Last year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported more than 4,000 unique titles were challenged in public libraries, and schools, which is the most the office has reported since it began tracking censorship efforts.

These efforts have been fueled by conservative groups across the country to ban books they deem inappropriate for children.

To that end, General Synod 35 this summer in Kansas City, will organize the Banned Books Service Project, which aims to equip churches in both the Kansas-Oklahoma and Missouri Mid-South Conferences to build their own banned book libraries.

May 22, 2025

General Synod 35 workshops are here! Opportunities for connection, resources, leadership development, and more

Attendees at this summer’s General Synod 35 will have plenty of learning opportunities to choose from through a slate of 35 workshops.

Workshops are a hallmark of General Synod, giving attendees from across the denomination the platform to share and learn together their various knowledge, resources, and skill sets with the wider church, and for visitors to learn more about the various resources, and opportunities available to them in the church.

May 15, 2025

Proposed Bylaws Changes Regarding Director Terms for Consideration by General Synod 35

This summer, General Synod 35 will review and act on three different sets of proposed amendments to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws. This is the second article in a series of articles regarding the proposed amendments.

May 13, 2025

Meet the UCC GS35 News Team

When the United Church of Christ General Synod 35 kicks off in Kansas City July 11-15, the excitement around the days of worship, community, purpose and productivity will be high. There are proposed resolutions, constitution bylaws, amendments, and reports to be made. All of this and more will be covered by a seasoned and engaged news team, ready to highlight the news for those in attendance and at home. Those attending Synod should feel free to stop into the newsroom at the Convention Center to say hello, or share a story. The following is a bit about each team member; a hungry bunch when it comes to barbeque.

May 06, 2025

General Synod 35 sponsors offer generous contributions to those gathering in Kansas City

When the United Church of Christ gathers in Kansas City this coming July 11-15 for General Synod 35, there will be many generous donors to thank for making it happen. Through these partnerships, UCC members, colleagues, and national staff will gather for inspirational worship and fellowship, engaging youth activities, and plenaries that lift issues that demand a faithful witness.

Apr 07, 2025

Thompson to bring a ‘prophetic and pastoral’ message to Synod: ‘We are not all the same, but still one body’

On Sunday, July 13, the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson will take the stage at the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Kansas City, Missouri, not to address the state of the denomination in her role as General Minister and President. Rather she will be speaking as a spiritual leader — one who can preach intimately on what it means to heed God’s call, daring to venture deep into the waters of faith.

Apr 04, 2025

Send a prayer shawl along to General Synod 35

There’s been a buzz about Missouri, Kansas – can you hear it? It’s more of a clicking sound at times, and at other times, a subtle bit of clacking. More than a few people of the United Church of Christ have begun making prayer shawls for General Synod 35, which is in Kansas City at the Expo Center this July 11-15.

Mar 25, 2025

Resolutions for General Synod 35 span global contexts, holistic health, Conference change

The final proposed resolutions for General Synod 35 are now available for review. Eight resolutions and one formal motion are ready to be considered by this national body of the United Church of Christ in Kansas City, July 11-15.

Mar 18, 2025

General Synod opening preacher is ready for the church to ‘go deep or go home’

The Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks serves many roles in her hometown city of Chicago.

She pastors at San Lucas United Church of Christ, serves as the executive director of the organization A Just Harvest to combat hunger in the city, teaches seminary classes, and was recently elected as a member of the Chicago Police District Council.

Mar 14, 2025

Changes to UCC’s Constitution and Bylaws to be considered by General Synod 35

This summer, General Synod 35 will review and act on three different sets of proposed amendments to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws. To help answer questions and engage in dialogue around these proposed amendments, the United Church of Christ Board is offering up a series of articles and webinars along with a Frequently Asked Questions document.

Mar 11, 2025

No candidate identified: Associate General Minister for Love of Church search to relaunch after General Synod 35

The search committee for the role of Associate General Minister for Love of Church did not identify a candidate to recommend to the United Church of Christ Board during their March 6-8 meetings in Cleveland.

Mar 11, 2025

Rev. Shari Prestemon nominated to serve as UCC’s Associate General Minister and Co-Executive, Global Ministries for Love of Neighbor Ministries

Re-entering the room at the March 2025 UCC Board Meeting in Cleveland to a standing ovation, smiles, and immense joy, the Rev. Shari Prestemon, current Acting Associate General Minister and Co-executive of Global Ministries was nominated by the Board to serve a full-term.

Mar 04, 2025

Preacher for General Synod aims to cultivate deep belonging, deep hope

On most Sundays at First Congregational Church of Memphis, the Rev. Tony Coleman delivers his sermons surrounded by large, brightly colored art and a diverse group of congregants gathered in a circular arrangement.

First Congo, as the church is often called, includes three buildings that house the church’s food justice ministry, a bike co-op, a hostel – but “the center of gravity,” as Coleman described it, is the sanctuary.

When a group of United Church of Christ National staff traveled to Memphis in January to hold a national interfaith service and mass meeting, General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and several others gathered in this sanctuary for Sunday worship.

Feb 18, 2025

Self-nominations requested for individuals to serve as General Synod committee chairs

As planning for General Synod is well underway, the General Synod staff are seeking self-nominations for people to serve as committee chairs. This invitation is specifically for delegates at General Synod 35 in Kansas City, which takes place July 11-15.

Feb 04, 2025

General Synod 35 keynote speaker is a minister at the intersection of faith and civic engagement

The keynote speaker for this summer’s General Synod 35 is a faith-based activist and author with a long history of working to build public attention for issues of faith and justice.

The Rev. Jennifer Butler is perhaps best known for her role in founding and leading the organization Faith in Public Life – a coalition of influential and diverse faith leaders that work toward a just, inclusive, and equitable country – from 2005 to 2022.

Dec 03, 2024

General Synod 35 online registration now open

Registration for the 2025 General Synod of the United Church of Christ is now open.

The event takes place July 11-15, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, and offers the opportunity for thousands of folks within the United Church of Christ to gather for worship, fellowship, attending to business, offering public witness, and setting the denomination’s priorities for ministry.

Nov 19, 2024

All four Pennsylvania conferences pass motion toward one combined conference

On Nov. 9, each of the four United Church of Christ conferences in Pennsylvania passed the same motion requesting authorization from the UCC General Synod for the four to become one.

These coordinated but separate meetings were one step further toward the possibility of forming a new, combined Keystone Conference from the Penn West, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Southeast, and Penn Northeast Conferences.

Sep 03, 2024

UCC opens search for two Associate General Minister positions

Applications are now open for the Associate General Minister of Love of Church and the Associate General Minister of Love of Neighbor.

A search committee has been formed for each position, and they are beginning the process of discernment to identify the people called to these roles, in accordance with the UCC Bylaws.

Jun 25, 2024

Excitement grows as the UCC goes “Into the Deep” for GS35

Excitement is mounting as the announcement that General Synod 35 rules and deadlines have been announced, calling United Church of Christ members to Kansas City in July of 2025. The theme of the gathering is “Into the Deep,” based on Luke 5:4, which says, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’”

Jun 18, 2024

General Synod 35 rules and deadlines are approved and announced

Deadlines and information are now available for those who want to submit business to General Synod 35, the next major gathering of the United Church of Christ.

Apr 23, 2024

General Synod Nominating Committee calls for applicants to UCC Board and Synod leadership

Applications to serve the church as a member of the UCC Board are now open, and the Nominating Committee of the United Church of Christ General Synod is encouraging people across the denomination to apply.

The committee is seeking candidates for three types of positions: General Synod moderator and assistant moderator, as well as 12 UCC Board members.

Jul 11, 2023

For next General Synod, Kansas City will welcome UCC in 2025

There’s plenty to see in Kansas City.

That was the invitation from Missouri Mid-South Transitional Conference Minister the Rev. Mary Nelson, and Kansas-Oklahoma Conference Minister the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, during the final plenary of General Synod 34 on July 4.