by Renee DeLuca | published on Jun 25, 2024

Excitement is mounting as the announcement that General Synod 35 rules and deadlines have been announced, calling United Church of Christ members to Kansas City in July of 2025. The theme of the gathering is “Into the Deep,” based on Luke 5:4, which says, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'”

Deepening relationships

The UCC’s General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson is looking forward to the meeting, and said, “The General Synod Program and Planning Committee has placed before us a theme and logo that is compelling and provides opportunities for exploring what it means for us to go ‘into the deep.’ This holds possibilities for deepening and strengthening relationships and connections with each other, with our ecumenical, global and interfaith partners, and with God.”

Thompson said, “The logo connects across the UCC with the many ways depth is sometimes experienced in water, in the depth experiences from mountaintops and as we meet in Kansas City, with the depth of prairie grass. The theme is an opportunity for us to continue to learn and grow together in faith as a part of the church, the body of Christ.”

Come July 11-15, 2025, the UCC will welcome thousands from across the country to the Kansas City, Missouri Convention Center– and the country’s barbecue capitol. It is there UCC members will discern resolutions of witness, church structure and function, and celebrate faith.

Co-sponsoring conferences

The Rev. Josh Baird, UCC’s chief of staff for General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson also serves as the General Synod administrator of GS35.

He said, “With General Synod 35 just over a year away, planning for our time together is well underway. For the first time, two conferences are co-sponsoring the General Synod. I am grateful for the work of Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, and Rev. Mary Nelson of the Missouri-Mid South Conference, for assembling a local arrangements committee which is energized to welcome the church to Kansas City.”

The General Synod 35 website can be found here. Baird noted, “I encourage people to bookmark the website and visit it regularly for updated information. The standing rules are already posted there. This website will serve as the go-to place for all important General Synod details.”

You can sign up for updates by providing your email address on General Synod webpage.