This year I attended my second General Synod or National meeting of the United Church of Christ delegates, visitors and guests from throughout the church. Synod is held every two years at a location in the United States.
Synod 2017 in Baltimore officially began June 30 and ended July 4, 2017. However, I also attended pre and post Synod events, therefore, I arrived in Baltimore on June 28 and I returned home on July 5. To learn about Synod go to www.ucc.org/synod for sixteen minutes informational video presentation.
General Synod is:
The worship services during Synod were awesome as well as workshops and social events. It’s been one month since Synod and I’d like to share some interesting quotes or messages that I heard:
Synod 2017 in Baltimore officially began June 30 and ended July 4, 2017. However, I also attended pre and post Synod events, therefore, I arrived in Baltimore on June 28 and I returned home on July 5. To learn about Synod go to www.ucc.org/synod for sixteen minutes informational video presentation.
General Synod is:
- A church, an occasion for worship
- An exploration
- A business meeting governed by certain rules
- A place for leadership and policy setting
- An electing body
- An experience
- It is ongoing
The worship services during Synod were awesome as well as workshops and social events. It’s been one month since Synod and I’d like to share some interesting quotes or messages that I heard:
- “We are not led by the times; we are led by our faith” (Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk)
- “As bad as it is to imagine how it would be like if our fore parents had not chosen and stood against, had not been the arch of Justice, imagine what our UCC would be.” (Rev. Dr. Howard T. Simmons, New York, United Black Christians Guest Speaker)
- “The three most popular and busy members of St. Alabama church: Somebody Else, Nobody Else and Anybody Else.” (Rev. Dr. Howard T. Simmons
- “Don’t agonize; organize!” (Rev. Cindy Bumb, Pastor, Missouri)
- “Dare to occupy and claim the boldness of Jesus.” (Rev. Marilyn Pagan Banks, Chicago)
- “What problem are we trying to solve?” (Rev. Dr. Kent Siladi, Conference Minister, Connecticut)
Author

Cleo D. Graham
The Rev. Cleo Graham is the Associate Pastor at Beneficent Congregational Church, UCC in Providence, RI.