What’s Happening in the UCC
Proposed Synod resolution calls on churches to be ‘white supremacy-free zones’
by Kayla Berkey | published on May 8, 2023
The 2023 General Synod of the United Church of Christ will consider 17 resolutions and several bylaw changes when it meets June 30-July 4 in Indianapolis. This is one in a series of articles about them. Full texts of each of the proposed resolutions are available at the General Synod website.
A resolution calling United Church of Christ congregations to confront white supremacy is all about moving from words to actions.
The proposed resolution calls on local churches to declare themselves a “white supremacy-free zone” and confront racist ideology. It describes racism and white supremacy as forms of idolatry that must be challenged, and that simply declaring “Black Lives Matter” hasn’t done enough…
…The idea to claim spaces as “white supremacy-free” aims to encourage congregations across the UCC, particularly those of predominantly European descent, to “put some skin in the game and profess in your local communities where most of these injustices tend to happen that this is a safe space,” said the Rev. Marvin Silver, CAC associate conference minister.
A congregation designated as a white supremacy-free zone would make a commitment to actively engage in anti-racism work. According to the resolution, this would happen through declaration, study and action. It encourages congregations to use a tool for local congregations that currently is being piloted and revised by a CAC committee.
(Click the link below to view the full article)
https://www.ucc.org/proposed-synod-resolution-calls-on-churches-to-be-white-supremacy-free-zones/
Two Conferences urge Synod to study, develop reparations
for African Americans
by Kayla Berkey | published on May 23, 2023
The 2023 General Synod of the United Church of Christ will consider 17 resolutions and several bylaw changes when it meets June 30-July 4 in Indianapolis. This is one in a series of articles about them. Full texts of each of the proposed resolutions are available at the General Synod website.
Advocacy for reparations gained new attention this week when U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) introduced a resolution to reignite federal reparations calls for Black Americans. And in recent weeks, a California task force approved recommendations calling the state to offer reparative actions to its Black residents.
The topic will also get the attention of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, coming in a proposed resolution from the Indiana-Kentucky and Central Atlantic Conferences.
It urges Synod to proclaim public support for federal legislation that establishes a pathway toward reparations for African Americans. It also calls for partnership across UCC bodies to inspire education and direct action toward reparations.
(Click the link below to read the full article)
https://www.ucc.org/two-conferences-urge-synod-to-study-develop-reparations-for-african-americans/
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