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General Assembly Programming

In addition to business sessions (Plenary), the General Assembly (GA) program comprises over one hundred workshops, lectures, and worship opportunities during the five days of GA.

In 2012, workshops will focus on justice issues, including topics such as the spiritual foundations of justice work, the theology of social justice, as well as a more tactical focus on organizing.

There will definitely be a strong focus on immigration in keeping with our commitment to the organizations that have invited us to Phoenix. Programming and action will deal with immigration both specifically and in a broader context of human rights and justice.

Congregations will learn to assess their strengths and weaknesses and learn skills for social justice work according to their region, congregation size and resources.

2012 Programming

The General Assembly Program Development Group (PDG) has reviewed submitted program proposals and initiated the development of additional programs. In order to create a rich menu of educational opportunities for GA attendees, the PDG worked with some proposers to modify their programs and/or to coordinate with other experienced presenters. This year the PDG has taken extra time and care to develop a cohesive program selection appropriate to this Justice GA.

• Available now: preliminary programming information
• Coming soon: GA Mobile app
• Coming in June: GA Program Book (available as a PDF online in June and/or as a hard copy on site)

A Sample of Scheduled Programming

(For days, times, speakers, and event sponsors, refer to the preliminary programming information).

1070 Copycats, Barrio Defense, and the Side of Love
Where hate bills targeting immigrant or Islamic communities have been proposed, neighborhood based grassroots organizing has bloomed. Learn how a new human rights movement is being built by those directly targeted by bills like SB 1070 and how Unitarians are working in solidarity to Stand on the Side of Love.

Aftermath of the Postville Raid
Acclaimed director Luis Argueta is following his 2011 award-winning documentary, "abUSed: The Postville Raid," with "U-Turn," about the new lives of families returning to the US with special U-visas for foreign victims and witnesses of crimes. During the program, Argueta will play clips and discuss the future of immigration.

In the Age of Occupy: Theology for Activists
Marched. Pepper sprayed. Shot at. Arrested. Today’s social justice work requires spiritual stamina, theological depth, and new tools for analysis and community building. Join President Rebecca Parker and Starr King School for the Ministry leaders for a two-part teach-in on “creating just and sustainable communities that counter oppressions.”

Auburn Media Training: Speak Prophetically to the Press
Auburn Media Senior Director Macky Alston will outline the top ten tips you need to get your voice heard through the media. This workshop will also cover basic media skills and messaging strategies. Auburn Media Training has been a resource to more than 2,000 religious leaders through workshops and consultations.

Bending Toward Justice: Race, Immigration and Religious Education
FAHS LECTURE: Learning to live comfortably and fairly with diversity begins in children’s early years. So, too, does the damage of racism and other “isms” to healthy development. Author/educator/activist Louise Derman Sparks explores ways to foster children’s positive identity and awaken empathy, critical thinking and life-long ability to stand against injustice.

Beyond the Border: For-Profit Incarceration & Detention
Arizona is the ‘perfect storm’ of immigrant exploitation, legislative abuse, border deaths, private prisons and corrupt elected officials. We offer the data, research and tools that can be utilized while in Arizona and in home communities to initiate public dialogue and action towards immigration reform and ending for-profit detention.

Bringing the Doctrine of Discovery (DOD) Back Home
Learn about the historical impact of the DOD on the world. Discover connections of the DOD to immigration issues. Understand the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as an antidote to the affects of the DOD. Take home resources to help you introduce this topic to your congregation.

Confronting Arizonification In Our Own Backyard
According to local organizers, “The best way to support Arizona is by challenging Arizona-style policies where you live.” While SB 1070 made the state a symbol of intolerance, similar immigration policies have spread to every corner of the country. Learn how your town may face Arizonification and how you can work to stop it.

CLF Worship Service: Dreaming Justice
Join us for stimulating, thoughtful worship with wonderful rocking music. Trickster spirits bring surprise, mischief and change. They often show up in our dreams. How might tricksters serve as guides for our spiritual expeditions, and transform our work for justice? Ongoing, online dream groups will be launched following this worship.

A Culture of Cruelty: Documenting Human Rights Abuses vs. Immigrants
Amnesty Internatational USA and No More Deaths will describe how they documented 1,000's of human rights abuses against immigrants by ICE and Border Patrol, and the tragic forced family separations caused by 1 million deportations. Leila Pine and Dan Furmansky offer ways congregations can engage against this growing humanitarian crisis.

Cooking Together: Immigration Justice Resources for All Ages
This workshop highlights education, reflection and action immigration resources for all ages and explores how they might be adapted for your congregation. Included are stories and activities drawn from Tapestry of Faith programs as well as highlights from the Immigration Justice Resources project.

Economic Justice and “Occupy Wall Street”
This program will shine a light on the economic system that exploits the labor of the powerless to embellish affluent life styles. How could we "Occupy Wall Street” to create sustainable well being for the many, including both immigrants and the under employed who are pitted against them?

Economic Justice: A Moral Imperative for Unitarian Universalist (UU) Humanists
People with low income predictably suffer from substandard housing, poor nutrition, inability to afford medical care, lack of educational advantages, and the loss of a sense of self worth. UU Humanism defends the worth and dignity of every person. Working with others for economic justice is a Humanist moral imperative.

Getting Unstuck: New Directions for Congregational Life: Theology
Congregations play a crucial role in shaping a just world. William Schulz will explore the theologies that inspire us to take up the soul expanding work of social justice and sustain us through the challenges. Provost Sharon Welch and Meadville Lombard students will respond.

Immigration & Environmental Justice
Environmental degradation (polluted air, land, and water; ocean acidification; severe storms and droughts; massive extinctions; melting glaciers) disproportionally impacts disadvantages communities and contributes to migration and injustice. Find out how your congregation and state advocacy network may work with environmental justice organizations and coalitions addressing these issues.

Justice Words in Prophetic Poetry
An educational workshop that will encourage and inspire Unitarian Universalists, organizers, and activists to use words of justice and equality in their own writings, especially poetry. These writings can be used to speak truth to power. I will inform our members on how I've used them in my own empowering writings about racism, immigration, and injustice.

Migrant & Human Rights Strategies: Effective Advocacy
Far from Arizona, hear stories/strategies from UU State Networks and Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Witness Ministries about successful coalitions for addressing migrant and human rights, including Justice for Janitors, detention watch vigils, and a campaign that enlists local elected officials and law enforcement to enact policies of non-cooperation with civil ICE detainers.

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration and Institutional Racism
Racial profiling, criminalization, and mass incarceration of African-Americans constitute today's legal system for institutionalized racism, discrimination, and exclusion. Michelle Alexander--civil rights advocate, litigator, and scholar—author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness exposes today’s racial caste system and how to resist it.

Naturalization and Citizenship Training for Day of Service
Participants will be trained on naturalization, the eligibility requirements for US citizenship, and how to assist immigrants complete the application. Those trained can then volunteer at the Naturalization/Citizenship Fair at the GA National Day of Service and/or take the skills to their home communities.

Organizing Campaigns: Power Analysis and Successful Building Blocks
Don’t know where to start? Learn from NDLON the fundamentals of putting together a campaign that builds a group, wins demands, and improves conditions for the members of your community.

In the Political Crossfires
A panel of Arizona activists from across the state, representing a variety of organizations will share their stories and actions about migration, not only in Arizona but across the continent. Among the panelists are Lydia Guzman, Respect, Respeto; Daniel Rodriguez, Somos America; Carlos Garcia, Puente, and Julie Erfle, local Unitarian Universalist.

Partnering Congregations and Community Organizations
How do I connect my congregation with community groups leading campaigns for justice? What are the steps to building meaningful relationships between congregants and partner groups for successful actions and for building community? Hear from UU ministers, social justice leaders, and community activists about what works and what hasn’t.

The Slave Next Door: Immigration and Modern Slavery
Through human trafficking, people are lured into slavery from poorer countries to richer countries by traffickers who prey on their desire for a better life. America is home to some 40,000 slaves and our immigration system is full of loopholes used by traffickers—but we can make this right.

Starr King President’s Lecture: Standing on Holy Ground
President Rebecca Parker lectures on the UU theological and spiritual sources that call us to courageous action. When we work for immigrants, economic and environmental justice, grassroots democracy, the Occupy movement and more, we stand on holy ground! For more, attend Starr King’s “In the Age of Occupy” teach-in.

Stopping Deportation: Winning the Right to Remain
The US is currently deporting people at record numbers, more than during “Operation Wetback.” However, individuals who know their rights and have strong community support have succeeded in resisting their removal and winning the right to remain. Learn how to build campaigns to protect individuals and prevent their deportation from your community.

Turning the Talk: Powerful Messaging for Migrant Rights
Crucial to winning the immigration debate is also winning hearts and minds. This workshop prepares people with the tools, frameworks, and faith perspective to be powerful speakers for migrant rights.

The Ten Elements of the Doctrine of Discovery
Robert Miller, professor at Lewis and Clark Law School, will introduce workshop participants to the ten major elements of the Doctrine of Discovery that were used as the “legal” basis for American colonization. Tupac Acosta, founding member of Tonatierra, will explain the connections between these Doctrine elements and current migration/immigration issues.

The UU Social Gospel
Liberation theology and Dr. King's vision for the Beloved Community both drew inspiration from the social gospel. How does the social gospel move forward in our day of the 99% and the 1%?What wisdom can we mine, what resources can we find to support us as we Stand on the Side of Love?

A View from the Border with Isabel Garcia
Isabel Garcia, Tucson resident from a family that has been there six generations. She is a migrant rights and border activist, lawyer, and board member of Coalicion Derechos Humanos. She brings clarity to the history and political actions in Arizona and the nation.

Wild Versus Wall: Borders, Justice and the Environment
Much of the American public is unaware of the devastation being caused by harmful U.S. trade and border policies. The most symbolic and destructive infrastructure resulting from these bad policies is the newly-constructed U.S.- Mexico border wall. This program shows the ecological effects of enforcement and infrastructure in the four states that share boundaries with Mexico.

Young Leaders Visioning for Justice! Planning for Action!
Youth and young adults will envision a future together and work separately to create action plans for moving forward. An interactive, participatory, and fun workshop where young leaders will find their voices and the power to create their own future within their congregations, schools, and communities. Great for youth groups!

Youth and Young Adult Voices for Justice
What do our youth and young adults have to say? This event is a forum hosted by UUs for a Just Economic Community to allow younger UUs to give voice to their visions, critiques, hopes, and dreams regarding the social justice work of our faith. Join us in generative discussion.

For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.

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Last updated on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

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