June 29– July 5, 2011 Tampa, Florida What is General Synod?
General Synod meets every two years and is a gathering of people delegated by our 38 Conferences to represent the United Church of Christ and to address important matters relating to the church. General Synod participants also include visitors from UCC churches; local, conference and national UCC staff; representatives from many diverse UCC institutions, agencies and ministries; and friends and colleagues from other faith traditions. General Synod is a time for all who gather to worship, build friendships, celebrate our varied ministries, and recognize our relationships in the ecumenical and world community. During General Synod, delegates address the "business" of the church, approving a budget for the mission of the church at the national setting, electing the Collegium of Officers, and voting on Pronouncements, Resolutions and Proposals for Action (specific proposals for how our church can respond to significant issues facing our congregations, communities, nation and world). This gathering has taken place biennially since 1957 so the one in 2011 will be General Synod 28.
Why come to General Synod?
☺ Friendships, old and new!
☺ Two days of immersion in service and justice!
☺ Learn more about the UCC and have faith conversations to help you on your journey!
☺ Help the church discern how we can respond to significant issues in our churches, communities, nation and world!
☺ Worship that feeds your soul, food that feeds your body, adventures that feed your heart and mind and spirit!
☺ Concerts, workshops, exhibits, movies, games, socializing... and more!
Who can participate in Youth @ General Synod ? Youth @ General Synod is for youth who will be in grades 9 – 12 in 2011 (including 2011 high school graduates). Youth groups are invited to register with a minimum of 2 adults and 2 youth, with adult genders matching the gender of the youth. Youth group leaders and their adult chaperones are responsible for the supervision of their respective youth groups during the event. Groups may register as local church, church clusters, and Association or Conference groups.
What is the cost, and how do we register? The cost of $480 for youth and $525 for adults* includes: lodging for 7 nights (from June 29 through July 6); all meals on Thursday and Friday; daily breakfast (all week); service projects; youth programming; and General Synod events. Group registration begins in December 2010. Watch for more details on www.ucc.org/youth. *Difference reflects General Synod registration discount for youth.
When and where is General Synod? General Synod 28 will be held in Tampa, Florida from July 1 – 5, 2011. However, the Youth @ General Synod program begins two days earlier, and runs from Wednesday, June 29 through Tuesday, July 5. July 6 is a travel day with no meals or program. Groups arrive on Wednesday and programming begins at 7:00pm. Service/mission experience takes place on Thursday and on Friday morning, and we will participate in General Synod worship, meetings and other activities from Friday afternoon through Tuesday night. We will also provide orientation to General Synod activities and business, reflection on the faith and justice aspects of our service projects, and opportunities for building friendships and having fun!
Where will we stay? Housing for the Youth @ General Synod participants will be at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Tampa, about 1 mile from the Convention Center. Your lodging needs will be included as part of your registration for the Youth @ General Synod program.
Do we have to come for the full week to go to General Synod? No - General Synod is available for all the people! If your group wants to go only to General Synod, you should register as visitors on the main General Synod site (www.ucc.org/synod). General Synod registration costs are $115 for youth and $200 for adults, but do not include any meals or lodging. The Youth @ General Synod program is a parallel, weeklong program that includes General Synod but costs more to encompass lodging, meals, service/mission experience and related programming, as well as General Synod. Each evening at General Synod, there will be evening ("afterhours") activities for youth groups that are open to both Youth @ General Synod participants AND youth groups attending only General Synod.
Please contact Rev. Kelly Burd at Burdk@ucc.org or call (toll free) 866-822-8224 ext. 3714 if you have questions.
If you are a Wisconsin Youth or Leader, contact Lisa Hart at lhart@wcucc.org or 608-846-7880.
