Council for Health and Human Service Ministries

From the President

Photo of Bryan Sickbert Beginning on June 22, the United Church of Christ will hold its 26th General Synod, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ. As of May 30, nearly 7,100 people had registered for the June 22-26 event in Hartford, Connecticut--making this by far the largest Synod in the church's history! According to United Church News, registrations for this summer's event could easily reach 10,000, and the Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau is now touting Synod as the largest convention ever held in that city.

At General Synod, the UCC will devote time to celebrating the church's first 50 years as well as exploring who God is calling the UCC to become in its next 50 years. During the event, CHHSM will be working hard to raise awareness of the healing and service ministry of the church and to support our fourteen members who will exhibit:

CHHSM / UCC Professional Chaplains & Counselors (UCC-PCC)
Hoyleton Child & Family Services, Hoyleton, IL
Hoffman Homes for Youth, Gettysburg, PA
Retirement Housing Foundation, Long Beach, CA
Charles Hall Youth Services, Bismarck, ND
United Church Homes and Services, Newton, NC
Pilgrim Place in Claremont, Claremont, CA
Emmaus Homes, St. Charles, IL
Crossroad-Fort Wayne Children's Home, Ft. Wayne, IN
Phoebe Ministries, Allentown, PA
Uplands Retirement Village, Pleasant Hill, TN
Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MS
United Church of Christ Homes, Camp Hill, PA
Bethany Children's Home, Womelsdorf, PA

I'll attend General Synod to represent CHHSM on the Executive Council and the Synod's business committee. Vice President for Member Relations Bill Johnson will also attend to coordinate the CHHSM display and talk with people from all settings of the church about our work and the work of CHHSM ministries across the country.

Later this summer, I'll update you on our experiences at General Synod and the work we do there on behalf of your healing and service ministry of Jesus Christ. If you have questions about CHHSM's work at General Synod, please call me at 866-822-8224 ext. 2253 or email me at sickberb@chhsm.org.

Bryan W. Sickbert
President/CEO

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