UCC 50^th Anniversary
26^th General Synod

News of this joyous event can be found on the web site of our national setting at http://www.ucc.org/news .

Among the speakers was Lynn Redgrave whose story of her faith journey following breast cancer reminds us all that our welcome to the stranger in our midst can be a transforming experience for the "stranger" and for us. In December 2002 Redgrave learned she had breast cancer. One January 16, 2003, she had a mastectomy. In early February 2003 she visited the First Congregational Church in Kent, CT after which she writes in her journal, "I find I cry at first, at Bach on the organ, at prayers. By the end I feel very peaceful and optimistic.A way to be part of a community." Prior to this Redgrave's experience with "church" (the Anglican Church of England) had been baptism, confirmation, occasional services at Christmas and Easter. Redgrave now says, "I go online when I am on tour to see what church I can go to and still get to the matinee."

Regional Conference Minister Michael Caine reports these "winners" from our pre-Synod Turn-Out Tally. Broadway UCC, with 22 of its 80 members, had the highest per cent in attendance at Synod. John Thomas will preach as a way to say thanks for their accomplishment.

Hudson Mohawk Association had nearly twice the percentage of its membership in attendance, almost 4%, compared to the other 8 associations. For this it won the "Empy" or the "Empire Award" named for both the Empire State and the Empire of Heaven Jesus so often promised and taught. The Empy is given to an Association that has been creative and effective in prompting its member churches' participation in and support of the wider church.

The "door-prize" went to Joe Phillips, from First Congregational/ Albany , who had dinner at Trumbull 's Kitchen with his wife and his pastor and his wife.

Reported by Lucy Werner


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