wfn.org | United Church of Christ national gathering to immerse itself in Grand Rapids

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.org>]

United Church of Christ national gathering to immerse itself in Grand Rapids

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> Contact: The Rev. Gregg Brekke
> News Director
> United Church of Christ
> Phone: (216) 736-2177
> E-Mail: brekkeg@ucc.org

> Tuesday, June 02, 2009

United Church of Christ national gathering to immerse itself in Grand Rapids

Cleveland, OH- Nationally known speakers, musical performers, a biker billboard and kites are all coming to Grand Rapids with the United Church of Christ.

More than 3,500 lay members, pastors and administrative personnel from UCC congregations and regional bodies around the country will gather in Grand Rapids, Mich., June 26-30, for the denomination's bi-annual General Synod meeting at the DeVos Place convention center.

Speaker highlights include Krista Tippett, host of public radio's "Speaking of Faith," Eugene H. Robinson, MSNBC correspondent, and Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS' 'The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." Musical performers include MTV award winners Jason and DeMarco.

Visitors are welcome to the gathering which has been dubbed the UCC's "family reunion."

"In recent years, we've come to understand that General Synods are not just a time to gather, worship and celebrate internally as a church family," says the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, the UCC's director of communications. "But it's a great evangelistic opportunity to tell the UCC's story to the widest possible audience, to share our unique identity with others, and to invite them to learn more about us and to visit our local churches."

River City Saturday is a daylong event featuring inspirational and provocative speakers, entertainment and celebrations. Outdoor activities are free and include concerts, kite flying and the "Festival in the Park." The public is invited to attend indoor speaking events for a
$75 day pass. A complete list of River City Saturday speakers and performers is available at www.ucc.org/synod/pdfs/rivercity.pdf.

Saturday's events will conclude with an evening presentation and tribute to the Rev. John H. Thomas, outgoing general minister and president of the UCC, after 10 years of service in the position. Thomas has been appointed as a special advisor to the president of Chicago Theological Seminary beginning January 2010.

The church is announcing its arrival with the get-out-the-word campaign. Nearly 400 TV spots will take to the airwaves on local stations in the Grand Rapids market starting on Wed., June 24. The media blitz also includes several print ads in the city's daily newspaper and several weekly/monthly publications, and two prominent billboards that will display UCC advertisements at downtown exits along  I-196.

A display advertisement is already visible at baggage claim in the Grand Rapids airport and a bike-powered UCC billboard will make its way throughout Grand Rapids' downtown streets for six hours each day on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Over 150 youth are registered for the "Youth @ General Synod" event to be held June 24-30 in conjunction with the gathering. The program for high school students (grades 9 ­ 12) is based at Aquinas College and combbines General Synod events with three days of service projects, evening programs, social opportunities and after hours activities.

Business sessions of the General Synod will take action on 25 proposed resolutions seeking to direct the ministries and operations of the church. Delegates will also vote on the nomination for a new General Minister and President to replace Thomas. A complete list of events, resolutions and sessions is available at  http://www.ucc.org/synod.

The United Church of Christ, a U.S-based 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 their press passes at the designated newsroom. A press area is available in the plenary hall along with a press room for interviews.