This was so much more than I thought it would be.  It made me so proud to be a part of the United Church of Christ. At the Synod, we voted on about fifteen resolutions. They were things like banning the use of corporal punishment in institutions, being an immigrant-welcoming denomination, and raising our voice about the urgency of climate change (http://synod.uccpages.org/resolutions/).  Things that are so important to us today.  It was good to find our that our denomination does not sit still. We are actively trying to make change to create a just world for all; because there can never be peace without justice.

The variety of people who belong to the UCC is insane.  My church is not the one that accepts me.  It is the one that takes everyone in with open, loving and non-judgmental arms.  These people work so hard (start going to meetings at 6:30 a.m.).  Even the youth delegates who were so involved. They even spoke out about resolutions they supported and were against (this is NOT easy).  So, I want to thank you all for respecting and acknowledging the value of young voices, and all voices.  Lastly, there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God (Psalm 46:4).  That river is us.

- Laura Young, O‘ahu