Dear UCC 2030 Clergy,

                We are in the midst of an exciting celebration in the UCC – our 50^th anniversary party.  Whether or not you can celebrate at Synod in Hartford, you are invited to be part of something special in light of the 50th anniversary, and all that will follow ...anyone wondering what that may be?

                None of us were born in 1957 when this denomination began, but sometime over this last 50 years we each heard a call to be a part of the UCC as ordained pastors.   And, we pray that we will be a part of what comes next, of the next 50 years of the United Church of Christ. 

Do you have ideas about what that next 50 years might be like?  You are invited to join together with other 2030 UCC clergy (there are over 400 of us nationwide) in an online writing project to develop a vision for the UCC of the next 50 years.   It will be only A vision, not THE vision – and we hope that our work might stimulate others from all generations, lay and clergy, to join with us in the discussion about what comes next.

Please take a moment to look now at your calendars for April 23 and 24.  There will be four options for participating in this online conference using a great technology called Synanim.   You need to register by emailing Brian at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the time that you can participate. Writing sessions run for 90 minutes. (Please be prepared to begin 15 minutes before the session starts so you can be placed into your anonymous group for the writing.)

Writing conference start time options are:

• Monday, April 23
  • 11:00am EASTERN (10 CT, 9 MT, 8 PT) — login starts 10:45am EASTERN
  • 8:00pm EASTERN (7  CT, 6 MT, 5 PT) — login starts 7:45pm EASTERN

     Tuesday, April 24

•     11:00am EASTERN (10 CT, 9 MT, 8 PT) — login starts 10:45am
•     4:00pm EASTERN (3 CT, 2 MT, 1 PT) — login starts 3:45pm

[NOTE: REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY, APRIL 20 – You will receive your login password via email on Saturday. If you do not have it in your inbox on Sunday, email Brian at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .]

You will be writing anonymously in a small group with several other 2030 clergy.  Participants will identify one representative from each group to work in one of two second sessions on Wednesday April 25, at either 9 a.m. Eastern or 8 p.m. Eastern, to pull together the initial work.

                To be sure that your internet browser has the needed software, please go now to the Synanim login page ( www.synanim.org) and review the "browser advisory" information to be sure your system is ready for the writing. You may also do a quick test for Javascript compatibility by accessing the Synanim Userguide from the login page.

                And, to get your juices flowing before the day of our writing, please look at the attached document.  It has the session outline for our writing together, and some background materials about the history and future of the UCC.

                We know our lives are full and busy, but we feel like this is worth our time.  We hope you will make time for this important project - the more voices we have participating, the more exciting our dreams will be.  See you online – as we dream together!!                      

                Peace, the 2030 Clergy NPT