With 4,754 registered for the UUA’s annual meeting and conference, General Assembly 2014 (GA) was the scene for vibrant worship, active and reflective exploration of the theme “Love Reaches Out,” and lively deliberations on a variety of business and governance decisions for our Association of congregations.
The UU World On-Line offered comprehensive coverage of GA as events unfolded, and much of the Assemblyworship services, lectures, reports, presentations, workshops and other activities are available on video or audio through the UUA website. Additional recordings, written summaries and print materials will be posted by the end of July.
659 of the UUA’s member congregations – about 63% – from all 50 states had members present at General Assembly this year, though only 579 named voting delegates. The assembly heard reports from the UUA Board of Trustees and volunteers and from UUA staff. The 1920 seated delegates, including 105 offsite delegates (from 68 congregations in 30 states) voted on several issues before the Assembly:
- Divestment from companies that produce/ process fossil fuels
- Election/ re-election of four Trustees and the UUA Financial Advisor
- Amendment to the UUA Bylaws to recognize Regions as UUA clusters of congregations
- Amendment to the UUA Bylaws to accommodate a new LLC to hold the Common Endowment Fund
- Amendment to the UUA Bylaws to add inclusion language
- Action of Immediate Witness to support a “Uganda New Underground Railroad“
- Action of Immediate Witness to affirm congregational commitment to gun violence prevention
- Action of Immediate Witness to support the “Pray for Relief” faith summit on stopping deportations
- Congregational Study & Action Issue: “Escalating Inequality“
An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) “expresses the conscience and carries the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed.” Because AIWs have not been brought to all congregations for their reflection and debate, they are not considered official statements of the UUA.
A Congregational Study & Action Issue (CSAI) moves through a three-year period of study and action with opportunities for congregational and district comment and may become an official Statement of Conscience if approved by delegates to GA after the study period is complete.
Delegates also engaged in continued discussion and received updates on issues which will come up for votes in future years:
Other items of note:
- Congregations can claim a rebate of $100 if their current or incoming President/ Moderator attended this General Assembly.
- Attendees are encouraged to complete an on-line evaluation of General Assembly 2014.
- Audio recordings of GA programs will be available at no charge to GA 2014 registrants (content will be uploaded by the end of July)
- UUA Budget Report announced an unexpected shortfall of $1.35 million. This was further discussed in the Financial Advisor’s Report.
- The UUA Board of Trustees issued an apology and a report related to clergy misconduct.
- Faithify, a new crowd-funding platform for UU projects, was unveiled.
- Invitation to General Assembly 2015 in Portland, OR!
