General Assembly Schedule
2012 Schedule (subject to change)
Summary Schedule Grid (PDF, 2 pages)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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.
- Youth Caucus and Sponsor Orientation
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
The Youth Caucus (high school aged Unitarian Universalists (UUs)) orientation is mandatory for all youth and their sponsors. - Choir Rehearsal
3:00 - 4:15 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. - General Assembly and Social Witness Orientation
3:45 - 5:00 p.m. - Young Adult Orientation
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Young Adult Caucus (ages 18-35) - Regional and CLF In-Gatherings
5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
In-Gatherings are 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 for an In-Gathering. - Opening Celebration,
Doctrine of Discovery,
and Plenary I
7:30 - 9:30 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. - Witness
9:30 - 10:00 p.m.
We will partner with communities in Arizona to bring attention to the injustices and human rights abuses they face.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
- 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. - Plenary II
7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Moderator Gini Courter presides over the plenary sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted. - Worship
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee. - Education & Preparation #1
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Over 100 workshops, lectures, panel presentations, film screenings, and worship services will be offered at GA. These programs will educate and prepare participants to build the capacity of Unitarian Universalists to stand in opposition to systemic racism and to witness on immigration, racial and economic justice. There will also be business and social justice hearings that will be of interest to GA delegates. - Reflection Groups
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.
These are groups of about 10 attendees that are formed at In-Gatherings (Wednesday 5:45 - 6:30 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. - Choir Rehearsal / Youth Caucus Programming / Young Adult Caucus Programming
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Youth Caucus sessions feature discussions on issues before the General Assembly and opportunities to learn about the justice work of the Association and our partners and how youth can be involved.
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. - Education & Preparation #2
3:15 - 4:30 p.m. - Education & Preparation #3
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. - Synergy Worship
8:00 - 9:30 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. 2011 Synergy Service (video) - Evening Event
9:45 - 11:30 p.m.
Music concerts, dances, and film screenings are examples of activities that take place in the evening at GA.
Friday, June 22, 2012
- Spiritual Practices
7:00 - 7:30 a.m. - Worship
7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee. - Plenary III
8:30 - 10:15 a.m. - Education & Preparation #4
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. - Education & Preparation #5
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Reflection Groups
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal / Youth Caucus Programming / Young Adult Caucus Programming
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Education & Preparation #6
3:15 - 4:30 p.m. - Service of the Living Tradition
5:00 - 6:45 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. - Community Celebration with Partners
7:30 - 11:30 p.m.
The details of this Community Celebration, which will include our partners in Arizona, will be announced as information is available.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
National Day of Witness and Service
- Spiritual Practices
7:00 - 7:30 a.m. - Worship
7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
An all-GA worship service sponsored by the GA Planning Committee. - Witness & Service Education
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Workshops and other events that serve to educate and prepare attendees to publicly witness and to perform service, both in Arizona and at home. - Service Opportunities
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Our service will allow all participants to witness in ways that reflect our commitment to justice, equity and compassion for all. We will also do hands-on work with our community partners. Projects will take place in a variety of settings, and include multigenerational teams and accessible venues. Whether you choose to witness for one hour, make signs for people to carry, or spend a day at a service project, there will be opportunities for everyone. - Plenary IV
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Service Opportunities
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal / Youth Caucus Programming / Young Adult Caucus Programming
3:45 - 4:45 p.m. - Sing
4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Lift up your voice with others as we experience the incredible power of group singing. - Ware Lecture
5:15 - 6:15 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. - Worship and Witness with Partners
7:00 - 11:00
Sunday, June 24, 2012
- 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. - Reflection Groups
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Regional Take Home
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. - Plenary V
2:15 - 6:00 p.m. - Closing Celebration
7:00 - 8:30 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.
This year, representatives of the General Assembly Planning Committee (GAPC), Arizona Immigration Ministry (AZIM), Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Staff and Administration, GA 2012 Accountability Group, and the UUA Board of Trustees convened a Justice GA Design Meeting in Boston for two days in September 2011. Together, this group created a preliminary schedule for GA 2012, which was then finalized by the GA Planning Committee.
For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.
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Last updated on Thursday, February 9, 2012.
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