Rev. John Guttermann, Minister in Covenant with the UCC in New Brighton was honored at the Friday evening Justice and Witness Ministries banquet. He was one of two people to receive the 2013 Justice Leadership Award for a Social Prophet. John and his spouse, Dawn Schilling traveled to Long Beach and were very pleased at this well deserved award. John's words of acceptance were quite eloquent. John and Dawn are pictured at right. You can read more about John's award by clicking here.

Rev. Allen Hilton, Minister for Faith and Education at Wayzata Community Church, was honored at the Celebration of Award Recipients on Sunday afternoon at General Synod. He was one of four people to receive the Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ. Allen was preset in Long Beach to accept this award. You can read more about Allen's award by clicking here.

Two of our own Minnesota Conference UCC churches were recognized in the New and Renewing Churches parade at General Synod. Living Table UCC in Minneapolis was represented by its pastor, Rev. James Pennington, and Shift UCC in Mendota Heights was represented by its pastor, Rev. Lawrence Richardson. They are pictured at left with Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Elena Larssen.

As was mentioned earlier, our delegation was diligent in keeping those of us back here in Minnesota apprised of all they were learning, doing, and the things on which they were making decisions. Here is just a taste of those musings:

Day 1 - Rev. Damen Heitmann, First United Church, Little Falls
"Let's run through the UCC large meeting checklist just to make sure you're in the right place:

• Have you noticed a preponderance of incomprehensible and indecipherable acronyms? Yes.
• Have you already been asked to serve on a committee? Yes.
• Is worship full of "conceptual pieces?" Yes.
• Does everyone seem to be wearing a rainbow of some sort? Yes.
• Are the people not wearing rainbows wearing commas? Yes.
• Are meeting rooms set up for people to sit at circle tables and not straight rows? Yes.
• Count the number of times the word "justice" is used in an hour - is it more than 30? Yes.
• Are people using the phrase "unified governance" and expecting you to nod in assent? Yes.
• Have you met wonderful people from throughout the country? Yes.
• Have you sensed the Spirit moving in prophetic preaching? Yes.
• Have you felt the love of God extended to you in handshakes and hugs? Yes.

Well, at the very least it looks like we are in the right place. We'll see what the next few days have in store!"

MN Delegates: Hans Simons, Damen Heitmann and Mark Scott

Day 2 - Rev. Kristy May, Circles of Faith UCC, Waubun

"All around the Long Beach community there are mosaics: on sidewalks, on light poles, on walls. Bright, cheerful pieces of tile set in grout or concrete to make cheerful, creative designs. Seems a fitting symbol for this General Synod & the mosaic of God's diverse people, held together in covenant, in this denomination called the United Church of Christ. 

This afternoon, workshops & service projects, the chance to go through the exhibit hall, a music concert tonight, connecting with old friends and new... before rolling up our sleeves for our committee work before Synod ends - for my committee, hard and faithful conversation regarding seminarian debt."

Day 2 - Rev. Sharon James Fazel, First Cong. UCC, Anoka

"Sitting and listening brought to mind something that Rita Nakashima Brock said in her theological reflection following the morning's plenary messages about the past, present and future of the UCC. She spoke of our need to experience moments of 'being in the world without an agenda or goal - a time to just "be."' She posited that this is also called a need for 'wonder' in our lives. Not the 'awe' kind of wonder, because 'awe' entails some fear. Rev. Quinn G. Caldwell, who followed Brock with his own reflections, reminded us of something else about wonder - it doesn't simply come into our lives, we can also cultivate it, by looking around and noticing the small wonders right before our eyes. Th[e] (Saturday evening) concert was one of those 'wonder moments' for me." (Concert was with Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon.)

MN Delegates: Emily Olson, Hannah Tower, Justin Tucker and Nick Johnson

Day 3 - Diane Haines, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis

"I am convinced that the resolutions brought to the General Synod are being well thought out and discussed and will lead to resolutions that will well express God's vision for us as we continue to be a prophetic voice in our country."

Day 3 - Mark Scott, St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul

"...the most popular booth in the exhibit hall is the scarf project, an initiative to respond to bullying. Synod asked people to knit 3,000 colorful scarves. Attendees are asked to take a scarf and pledge to act against violence. Then when someone... asks about your scarf, you offer to give it to them if they will agree to join in that commitment; you are then free to get another scarf. Of course, when called, UCCers rise to the occasion. The result? Upwards of 10,000 scarves! So, there will likely be colorful knitted offerings coming back to your churches to spread the action beyond the streets of Long Beach."

Day 4 - Justin Tucker, First Cong. UCC, Wadena

"These fourteen resolutions will change our UCC as we know it, and hopefully for the better. With a strong ground in our faith, deep respect for the educational intensives in which we all took part, as well as the great amounts of dialog from today's plenaries, these changes will reflect the intent of the UCC as a whole."

Day 5 - Hans Simons, Falcon Heights UCC, Falcon Heights

"It was exciting to hear from officials and clergy from around the world commenting, and congratulating the UCC's stance on being a leader in addressing climate change. Even Archbishop Desmond Tutu tweeted as he was at Nelson Mandela's bedside that he was proud of the divestment resolution passing General Synod. Everything that was accomplished here at Synod makes me proud to be a part of a dynamic church."

Thank you for your prayers and support as this incredible gathering has taken place and as the 844 delegates, 72 alternates and 2,018 registered visitors return to their home conferences.