Experience General Synod Firsthand! 

May 22, 2019

Would you like a “sampling” of General Synod? We invite you to visit on Sunday, June 23, for these free, open-to-the-public events:

• Afternoon worship service, featuring the dynamic preaching of our Justice and Local Church Ministries Executive, the Rev. Traci Blackmon.
• Wisconsin-style Outdoor Festival at nearby Zeidler Union Square Park, featuring live music and art and food trucks. Visit with UCC folks from around the country as they get a taste of Wisconsin.
• You can also peruse the exhibit hall featuring over a hundred exhibitors.

More Information –

Worship Service, 2:30 pm at the Wisconsin Center

The Rev. Traci Blackmon will lead worship for the Sunday service.  Rev. Blackmon is the Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries of The United Church of Christ and Senior Pastor of Christ The King United Church of Christ in Florissant, MO.

As a featured voice on many regional, national, and international platforms, the Rev. Blackmon’s life work focuses on communal resistance to systemic injustice. The Rev. Blackmon is a graduate of Leadership St. Louis and currently serves on the boards of The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Chicago Theological Seminary, and WomanPreach! She has been named 2017 Citizen of the Year by The St. Louis American and one of St. Louis’ 100 most influential voices.  The Rev. Blackmon currently resides in both St. Louis, MO and Cleveland, OH and is the proud mother of three adult children: Kortni Devon; Harold II; and Tyler Wayne Blackmon.

Shine! Fest, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Zeidler Union Park

After the Sunday afternoon worship gathering, continue to share in the inspiring and lively celebration of our UCC friendships at Shine! Fest, located just one block south of the convention center.  Visit the on-site Food Trucks to purchase your dining selections from a variety of options, which represent the local eatery scene.  In addition, beverage sales including beer and wine will be available from the Milwaukee County Park vendors.  Visit www.county.milwaukee.gov /EN/Parks to learn more about our wonderful network of public green spaces.

Live music on the gazebo stage will feature regional artists throughout the evening.  Our musical guests have provided widely popular and high-quality entertainment for several years.  From 5 – 6:30 pm, enjoy the sounds of The Squeezettes, who give a nod to Wisconsin’s German heritage through their unique and raucous power polka, waltz, pop and rock tunes.  Look for more info by visiting www.squeezettes.com.  The headline act will be held from 7-8:30 pm, featuring members of the band De La Buena, led by Cecilio Negron Jr. of CNJ Latin Jazz. You can check them out at www.delabuena.com.

Attendance is free and open to all; all ages are welcome.  There will be a family game area, table space and tented areas located on the park grounds, as well as portable restrooms.  Come rain or shine, it’s just a short stroll to a fun time.  Plan to grab a bite, stay a while, groove in your dancing shoes, and enjoy this slice of the Wisconsin good life.

Exhibit Hall, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm, Wisconsin Center Exhibit Hall D

For more information about General Synod go to wcucc.org/synod and ucc.org/synod.