wfn.org | United Church of Christ's national gathering in Grand Rapids, Mich

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> MEDIA ADVISORY
> Contact: Connie Larkman
> * Strategic Media Coordinator
> *  United Church of Christ
> *  Phone: 216-773-9222
> *  E-Mail: larkmanC@ucc.org

> Friday, June 19, 2009

Highlights of United Church of Christ's national gathering in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Who: -  3,500 members of the UCC: pastors, lay people, youth groups and national staff from congregations and regional bodies around the country

What: -  UCC family reunion - the denomination's biennial General Synod

Where: - Grand Rapids, Mich., DeVos Place convention center

When: - Wednesday, June 24 -Tuesday, June 30, 2009

WEDNESDAY:

UCC cyclists, raising environmental awareness by riding to Synod, arrive in Grand Rapids

THURSDAY:

Multicultural Children and Families festival ? St. Johns UCC, beginning att 1 p.m.

> FRIDAY:

* Bicycle powered UCC Billboard - downtown streets 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

> * Opening Celebration 3 p.m.

* Opening Worship Service ? the Rev. Otis Moss III, Trinity UCC, Chicago

> SATURDAY:

River City Saturday is a day-long event featuring inspirational and provocative speakers, entertainment and celebrations.

* Eugene H. Robinson, MSNBC correspondent, delivers keynote address

* Krista Tippett, host of public radio's "Speaking of Faith"

* Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer"

* Stillspeaking Kite Extravaganza on the Ford Museum lawn ? 12:30 p.m.

* Art in the Park at the Grand Rapids Art Museum ? all day

* Festival in the Park at Rosa Parks Circle ? all day

* Musical performers include MTV award winners Jason and DeMarco.

* Tribute to the Rev. John H. Thomas, outgoing general minister and president of the UCC

> SUNDAY:

* Sacred Conversations on Race, 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

> * Community-wide worship service, 3 p.m.

> MONDAY:

 Community service projects ? 241 participants.

> * Grand Rapids Dept. of Parks and Recreation

> * Ada Congregational UCC

> * Habitat Annex

> * Dawes Ct Site

> * SECOM

> TUESDAY:

* Closing worship - Grand Rapids native the Rev. Patricia de Jong of First Congregational UCC in Berkeley, Calif., preaching

These events take place around the business sessions of the denomination, which take place primarily between Sunday evening and Tuesday afternoon.

The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant denomination of 1.1 million members and more than 5,000 local congregations.

Press are encouraged to attend; registration is available at ucc.org/ synod/application-for-gs27.html  All registered press are required to pick up press passes at the designated newsroom. A press area is available in the plenary hall, along with a press room for interviews.

> ###