General Assembly Schedule

2013 Schedule (subject to change)

• Summary Schedule Grid (PDF)
   
• Blank Schedule Grid (PDF)
   
• Preliminary Program Information (PDF)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Orientations will give you tips on how to navigate General Assembly (GA) and our host city. Learn how GA works and how to make the most of your experience. There will also be an overview of how to get involved in the Social Witness Process. GA Orientation is especially useful for first time attendees.

• Young Adult Orientation
  1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
  Young Adult Caucus gatherings are open to all young adults (18-35) at General Assembly to network, coordinate and organize their participation in other GA events, and reflect on their experiences
• General Assembly Orientation
  2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
• Choir Rehearsal
  2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
  Each year a talented group of choral singers gather to practice and perform for the GA audience. Typically the choir participates in the Sunday Morning Worship and the Closing Celebration, and sometimes other events or hymn sings during GA.
• Youth Caucus and Sponsor Orientation
  4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
  The Youth Caucus (high school aged Unitarian Universalists (UUs)) orientation is mandatory for all youth and their sponsors.
• Welcoming by Region
  5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
  An opportunity to gather with UUs from your region. Reconnect with old friends, meet new friends and hear about what is happening in your District. The Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) also comes together during this time.
• Opening Celebration and Plenary I
  8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
  GA officially begins with a brief plenary session where the rules are adopted and new congregations are welcomed. This is followed by a joyful, worshipful opening celebration with inspirational music and speakers. The opening celebration sets the tone for the days ahead.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

• Spiritual Practices
  7:00 - 7:30 a.m.
  An informal worship gathering offered every morning. This small group experience will reflect the early morning preferences of the chaplain of the day.
• Worship
  7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
  An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee.
• Plenary II
  8:45 - 10:15 a.m.
  Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Moderator Gini Courter presides over the plenary sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.
• Program #1
  10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Over 100 workshops, lectures, panel presentations, film screenings, and worship services will be offered at GA. There will also be business and social justice hearings that will be of interest to GA delegates.
• Reflection Groups
  12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
  These are groups of about 10 attendees that are formed at the Welcoming by Region sessions (Wednesday 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.). Gather with your groups during this time to connect and to reflect on your GA experience and brainstorm how you can bring the knowledge and experiences back to your congregation.
• Program #2
  1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
• Program #3
  3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
• Plenary III, Worship, Witness
  5:15 - 7:30 p.m.
• Candidates Forum
  8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
• Evening Event
  10:15 - 11:45 p.m.
  Music concerts, dances, and film screenings are examples of activities that take place in the evening at GA.

Friday, June 21, 2013

• Spiritual Practices
  7:00 - 7:30 a.m.
• Worship
  7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
  An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee.
• Plenary IV
  8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Reflection Groups
  12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
• Program #4
  1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
• Sing
  7:15 - 7:30 p.m.
• Ware Lecture
  7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
  The UUA President, in consultation with the General Assembly Planning Committee, invites a distinguished guest each year to address the General Assembly as the Ware Lecturer.
• Synergy, All-GA Bridging Worship
  8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
  This is a transformative multigenerational worship. Come be inspired and illuminated at a celebration of treasured worship elements, rites of passage and brilliant contemporary musical performances. 2012 Synergy Service (video)
• Evening Event
  10:15 - 11:45 p.m.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

• Spiritual Practices
  7:00 - 7:30 a.m.
• Worship
  7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
  An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee.
• Plenary VI
  8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Reflection Groups
  12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
• Program #5
  1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
• Plenary VII
  3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
• Program #6
  5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
• Service of the Living Tradition
  8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
  Led by the Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group, this service honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders; remembering those who have died, recognizing those who have completed active service, and welcoming those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. Members of the public are welcome.
• Evening Events
  10:15 - 11:45

Sunday, June 23, 2013

• Spiritual Practices
  7:00 - 7:30 a.m.
• Sunday Worship
  9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
  Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. Members of the public are welcome.
• Plenary VIII
  11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Reflection Groups
  12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
• Plenary IX
  1:45 - 6:00 p.m.
• Closing Celebration
  7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
  We come together one final time to celebrate, sing, reflect, and go forth.

How the Schedule is Determined

Each year a team that includes members of the General Assembly Planning Committee, Commission on Social Witness, Youth Caucus, Young Adult Caucus, Unitarian Universalist (UU) Musicians Network, General Assembly (GA) office staff and the Moderator meets to examine the General Assembly schedule and recommend a schedule to the GA Planning Committee. They consult with others as needed to draft a General Assembly schedule that will serve the needs of delegates and other attendees. The draft schedule is reviewed and finalized by the Planning Committee.