The 33rd biennial meeting of the United Church of Christ will be held online this year, making it a unique opportunity for anyone in the denomination to attend without the burden of travel expenses or time away from family and work. The event is packed full of activities, worship, and workshops that are designed to give a glimpse into the wider church and allow access to educational opportunities that can help local congregation's in leadership, growth, and giving.

Rooted in Love: General Synod 33 will be held from July 11 to 18 online, with workshops being held July 7 - 10. Registration is open to all. The cost for visitors is $100.

Keynote speakers for the event are Social Activist and Author Valarie Kaur and Author and Minister the Rev. Adam Russell Taylor. Preachers will be the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, the Rev Michelle Higgins and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. 

Plenary sessions will include votes on a variety of resolutions (they can be found here). The 50 workshops will cover a wide variety of topics such as the Bible, money, white privilege, interfaith dialogue, the science of gender and sexual diversity, creating healthy conflict, supporting those healing from trauma and much more. Registrants can attend the workshops live beginning July 7 or they will be able to access recordings of them during and after Synod. (Workshop information is here.) 

There are also a host of online gatherings for people with a variety of connections, from alumni of various schools, to authors, to interim ministers, to those interested in particular issues. (Find a list of those here.)  There are also separate activities for youth and for young adults. 

Synod organizers have issued a Congregational Challenge, in which they will recognize the Conference that has the best representation at Synod.

The Southern New England Conference is "sending" 98 delegates to Synod - a number determined by the number of persons that have membership in Conference churches. It's the first time the new Conference will seat a single delegation. The group recently had an online orientation, and will also be attending Synod training.