JoAnne Smith
Membership Coordinator (Volunteer Position)
Valley Univarian Universalist
Chandler, AZ
I attended the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, June 25 to 29. It was my 26th GA! Why am I addicted to General Assemblies? GA is a smorgasbord of the best Unitarian Universalism has to offer: uplifting worship services, inspiring lectures, informative workshops on how to do church better, social justice information, and spiritual practices. It was very powerful to be in the company of 3020 UU’s including 1556 delegates from 504 congregations.
Delegates participate in plenary sessions to hear the reports of UUA leadership and do the business of the association. These sessions are chaired by the UUA Moderator, Gini Courter, who conducts the session with wisdom and humor.
Beth McGregor, chair of the GA Planning Committee, was clearly pleased to report to the delegates on the significant and rapid progress that has been made in the "greening" of GA. She reported that another step is taken every year in this area, and that the UUA has been recognized with the Silver Green Award from IMEX (the international meeting and exhibition planning organization) and the Twin Spires award from the Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau as best convention of 2007. This is the first time recycling of plastic, paper and metal has been offered in the Ft. Lauderdale Convertion Center.
A highlight of GA is the Service of the Living Tradition, a moving service that honors those entering and retiring from the ministry and those ministers who have died since the last service. There were tears in my eyes when The Reverend Jim Norman’s name was read and his picture projected on the monitors. He served our congregation from 1989 to 1994.
GA is a source for wise and humorous quotes:
One light : Untarianism / shining through many windows: Universalism
Why did the UU cross the road? To help the chicken find the path best for her.
This is the church of no wrong notes--some of them are from other songs.
Unitarian Universalists believe in:
Oneness of God
Love of neighbor
Service to humanity
Membership Coordinator (Volunteer Position)
Valley Univarian Universalist
Chandler, AZ
I attended the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, June 25 to 29. It was my 26th GA! Why am I addicted to General Assemblies? GA is a smorgasbord of the best Unitarian Universalism has to offer: uplifting worship services, inspiring lectures, informative workshops on how to do church better, social justice information, and spiritual practices. It was very powerful to be in the company of 3020 UU’s including 1556 delegates from 504 congregations.
Delegates participate in plenary sessions to hear the reports of UUA leadership and do the business of the association. These sessions are chaired by the UUA Moderator, Gini Courter, who conducts the session with wisdom and humor.
Beth McGregor, chair of the GA Planning Committee, was clearly pleased to report to the delegates on the significant and rapid progress that has been made in the "greening" of GA. She reported that another step is taken every year in this area, and that the UUA has been recognized with the Silver Green Award from IMEX (the international meeting and exhibition planning organization) and the Twin Spires award from the Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau as best convention of 2007. This is the first time recycling of plastic, paper and metal has been offered in the Ft. Lauderdale Convertion Center.
A highlight of GA is the Service of the Living Tradition, a moving service that honors those entering and retiring from the ministry and those ministers who have died since the last service. There were tears in my eyes when The Reverend Jim Norman’s name was read and his picture projected on the monitors. He served our congregation from 1989 to 1994.
GA is a source for wise and humorous quotes:
One light : Untarianism / shining through many windows: Universalism
Why did the UU cross the road? To help the chicken find the path best for her.
This is the church of no wrong notes--some of them are from other songs.
Unitarian Universalists believe in:
Oneness of God
Love of neighbor
Service to humanity
