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.
Individuals and organizations submitted proposals through November 30th of last year. Currently, the General Assembly Program Development Group is working to assemble a preliminary schedule.
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.
2011 Programming Highlights
The Ware Lecturer was Theologian Karen Armstrong.
We also welcomed Feisal Abdul Rauf, an American Sufi imam, author, and activist whose stated goal is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West. Since 1983, he has been Imam of Masjid al-Farah, a mosque in New York City. Rauf is Chairman of Cordoba Initiative, which has recently received national attention for its involvement in plans for Park51, an Islamic community center being developed two blocks away from Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.
The Service of the Living Tradition was led by Rev. Dr. Michael A. Schuler of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin.
Rev. Kaaren Anderson and Rev. Scott Tayler, from First Unitarian of Rochester, New York, led the Sunday Morning Worship.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Presidents Forum was one of several programs marking the UUA’s 50th anniversary. Rev. William G. Sinkford, Rev. John A. Buehrens, Rev. William F. Schulz, and Rev. Peter Morales participated.
Other Speakers Included
Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D., author and sought-after speaker on the multiracial/multi-cultural congregation
Nick Page, composer, conductor, author, and song leader
Linda Stout, activist, visionary, author and director of Spirit in Action
Tim Wise, prominent anti-racism writer and activist
Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed, retired Unitarian Universalist minister, author and scholar
Enrique Morones, internationally acclaimed human rights activist and founder of Border Angels
Other Meetings
In addition to General Assembly programmed events, a number of other meetings and events take place around GA. These include:
- Ministry Days, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Association (UUMA).
- Professional Days for the Liberal Religious Educators’ Association (LREDA).
- Professional Days of the Association of Unitarian Universalist Administrators (AUUA).
- Professional Day for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP).
For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Monday, January 16, 2012.
Updated and Popular
Popular New Searches
For Newcomers
Learn more about the Beliefs & Principles of Unitarian Universalism, or read our online magazine, UU World, for features on today's Unitarian Universalists. Visit an online UU church, or find a congregation near you.
