World Communion of Reformed Churches
World Communion of Reformed Churches

Media registration for Uniting General Council 2010 is now underway!

Journalists are invited to register to cover the Uniting General Council (UGC) of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA from June 18 to June 28, 2010. The general council will gather an estimated 1000 people from 108 countries. More than half will be delegates from WARC and REC member churches.

Guided by the theme "Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4) delegates from WARC and REC will launch the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) through a merger of the two organizations--a landmark in efforts to unite Christians for common witness and service to the world. On 18 June, delegates will gather in worship at the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex on Calvin College campus to mark the historic event.

UGC delegates are charged with planning the focus of WCRC initiatives for the next five year period. Deliberations will include developing strategies for addressing the impact of the global economic system on vulnerable peoples and the environment.

The presence and witness of North American Indigenous peoples (representatives of Canada's First Nations and of American Indian tribes) will be important throughout the UGC. At the opening ceremony on Friday, June 18, Native American leaders from west Michigan will welcome delegates to their traditional lands in keeping with centuries-old practices of hospitality among Indigenous peoples.

Prior to the start of the UGC, a women's pre-conference even and Reformed youth forum will be held at the college from June 14 to 17, 2010.

Practical information
The UGC will take place on the campus of Calvin College, a liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed church movement. The UGC Communication and News Team will offer support to attending media and also provide daily electronic news feeds.

Facilities and services for journalists include a news room, reserved seating in the plenary hall, programme and subject briefings, and news conferences. The working languages of the council are English, French, Spanish and German.

If interested in attending the council as accredited media, please complete the accreditation and registration forms available below and submit them by email or fax. This will help us greatly in our administration.

We draw your attention to information about applying for a Foreign Media visa. This can be a lengthy process and we recommend you begin the process early.

If you are unable to attend the UGC but would like to receive advance stories and daily news during the event, please indicate that on the accreditation form and submit it.