The UCC Turns 200 by Christy Ladwig

The spirit was strong in the Centrum on April 25 as UCC (United Church of Christ) folk from around the state joined delegates to the 200th annual meeting in an historic "Gathering Celebration". 11,500 hearts and voices joined in worship, in praise, and in the sheer joy of fellowship.

The zeal of volunteer usher Tommie Sue Montgomery provided a solid block of seats for the high-spirited crowd of 40-plus who arrived from Old South by busload to join the party. The faithful from around the state continued gathering in the arena as the Onion River Jazz Band played lively gospel tunes and hymns. We clapped along and joined in many familiar refrains.

Celebration hosts Mary Luti and Zack Deal presented some history, and a specially made video gave details of the organization's founding and growth through the voices of historic characters. Begun in 1799 as the Massachusetts Missionary Society, most of its purposes were remarkably similar to those of today's Conference. The churches joined could pool resources for assistance to those in need. And an early document noted that churches often needed one another's advice and counsel on common problems or goals, in order to more truly discern the will of God.

The gathering continued with the "Parade of Churches". Seated near the floor of the Centrum, the OSC contingent had a great view of the seemingly endless procession of 403 colorful banners, depicting the churches and their years of incorporation. The spectrum of colors signified the different Associations of UCC churches in the state. We cheered as our banner, crafted by Lael Murphy and carried by Janice Graves, Lael Murphy, Allan Piper and Steve Silver, passed by.

The joyful spirit of celebration led to a powerful worship experience. First, 500 teenagers in a rainbow of t-shirts flooded the arena, singing Prepare Ye the Way. And later in the service came Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing….. or, more exactly, 1,200 in the case of the "Great Choir"! As this block of souls, dressed in white and black, arose to sing, an audible collective gasp sounded throughout the crowd! The music lived up to this first impression. The heavenly repertoire included a hymn specially commissioned for the occasion, "Behold I make all things new". Based on Isaiah 42,43 and written by Allan Pote, it echoed the theme of the worship service: Behold, I am doing a new thing! Among the foretelling of "new things" was a performance by a children's choir. "The Choir of Promise" sang In the Bulb there is a Flower.

Conference Minister and president Bennie E. Whiten, Jr., preached on the second book of Isaiah. "We are part of a great company of witnesses who through the ages have seen in their time the new thing done by the triune God", he said. "And the faithful have gathered at Christ's table to be fed and nourished in the sure knowledge that He is present as our host." The service of communion used historic chalices sent by hundreds of churches, uniting those present with a very great company indeed in the body of Christ.

Earlier in the day, the breadth, diversity, and excitement of this company was present in over 90 displays in the exhibition hall. Organizations and societies, seminaries, churches, councils and committees of the Massachusetts Conference and the national UCC displayed their commitments, resources, and excitement for others to share.

The day of celebration capped the 200th Annual Meeting of the Conference, which took place on April 24th and concluded its business on the morning of the 25th. Old South delegates included Joan Christenson, Janice Graves, Lael Murphy, Allen Piper, David Ladwig (my husband) and me. New representatives were elected to conference boards; (I was honored to be called to a one year term on the Commission for Stewardship and Mission Interpretation). Other business included approving a budget and affirming resolutions of the gathered Meeting. Before voting on resolutions, breakout groups discussed them thoroughly and some were revised before being presented and debated in plenary sessions. The Annual Meeting approved resolutions which recommend actions to local churches and members. The topics of the resolutions were: