Greetings Friends,
Yesterday marked the end of the UCC’s 35th General Synod in Kansas City, MO, and it has brought me great joy to see the many ways the wider church has voted in support of the global community of which we are all apart. Overwhelmingly, delegates passed the “Declaration for an End to Genocide in Palestine” and “A Resolution of Witness” denouncing ICE raids and current immigration policies, both of which aim to ally the church with those whose fundamental humanity is being persecuted. Additionally, the UCC now enters into full communion with two new international partners, Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico and Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, which means a mutual recognition of members, ministers, and commitment to shared vision. A host of other resolutions passed in support of human rights from India to the Philippines to a call for the U.S. to restore their funding to USAID and Voice of America.
Now I admit, sometimes these Synod resolutions can feel a bit empty — I mean, how much does a statement condemning atrocity actually do for those suffering? This year, however, I see the theme of ubuntu deeply embedded in such work. Who knows how much the church can sway the hand of international governments, but they are willing to publicly say to those around the world “I am because you are.” These declarations say, “I’m not going to sit idly by and watch because your suffering is my suffering too.”
Hopefully, these resolutions also embolden church members to act more courageously, to do the work we are capable of doing unflinchingly, knowing that we have the support of the wider church behind us. As the Book of James challenged us this past Sunday, faith ought to do something, not merely believe something. May this work of the national church translate into much needed action, until every person knows they are a beloved child of God and are worthy of a seat at the table.
In peace and love,
Delaney (they/them)
