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The United Church of Christ (UCC) has released the final proposed resolutions for its upcoming General Synod 35, scheduled to take place in Kansas City from July 11-15. The agenda includes eight resolutions and one formal motion, which were affirmed by the UCC Board during its March meeting.
Kevin Peterson, who is responsible for overseeing the resolution and committee process, highlighted that this year's submissions are fewer than usual. He stated, "Resolutions put General Synod on the record taking a stance on certain issues and policies." He added that these resolutions help shape policy, support advocacy efforts, set programmatic goals, and encourage local churches to engage in specific ministries.
Among the proposed resolutions are two that aim to establish full communion relationships: one with the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland and another with Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico. Both resolutions emphasize expressing church unity.
Other resolutions include recognizing the Small Town and Rural Coalition as a formal group within the UCC and declaring support for human rights in the Philippines. There is also a focus on advocating comprehensive sexuality education through interfaith collaboration, supporting decriminalization of psychedelic medicines for research purposes, updating language around mental health inclusivity, and addressing Christian persecution in India.
A notable motion calls for forming the Keystone Conference by merging four Pennsylvania conferences into one entity by January 1, 2026. This proposal will be discussed directly in a plenary session at the synod.
For more details on these resolutions or to register for General Synod 35, interested parties can visit the event's official website.
