General Assembly Update

General Assembly Update

The multiplatform UUA General Assembly was held in June, with onsite attendees in Pittsburgh, PA, and many others joining in online. Beth F. and Karen D. attended virtually as delegates for our church. Next year’s GA will be fully online, with plans to return to a multiplatform format in 2025 in Baltimore, MD. It was a dynamic session, as always, and you can watch recordings of the General Sessions at https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2023/business, if you want to see more of “how the sausage is made.” Recordings of other portions, where available, should be on the UUA website later on in the year.

In addition to electing a new President and filling certain other offices, delegates voted to continue the process of revising Article II of our UUA Bylaws (final vote at next year’s GA), added several amendments to the proposed revision, and approved three Actions of Immediate Witness. From the UUA: “In addition to electing the new president for a six-year term, delegates contemplated new proposed bylaws for the association. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws – “Principles and Purposes” – is the foundation for all of the work of the UUA, and its member congregations and covenanted communities. The process for examining and revising this core religious language reflects the faithful practice of Unitarian Universalism. It also reflects UUs understanding of their faith as a Living Tradition, rooted in democratic practice and engagement. Delegates voted to advance recommended changes to Article II, which last underwent a wholesale revision in 1987. A final vote on the revised Article II will take place at General Assembly in 2024. More information on the Article II process is available online.

Voting on Actions of Immediate Witness was also among the business conducted during GA 2023. UU delegates overwhelmingly voted for social justice resolutions that support health equity (PDF 2 pages), ending the planned “Cop City” training center (PDF 3 pages) in Atlanta, Georgia, and protecting the rights of Dreamers (PDF 2 pages), those who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. Additionally, Side With Love, the UUA’s organizing initiative, held a rally during the assembly that highlighted the work that UU congregations across the country are doing to support the UUA’s four justice priorities – combatting criminalization, supporting democracy, promoting climate justice and advancing LGBTQIA+ equity.”