Unitarian Universalists to Hold General Assembly in Portland, June 20-24
June 1, 2007
The 2007 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association will be held in Portland, Oregon, from Wednesday, June 20 through Sunday, June 24. More than 5,000 Unitarian Universalists from across the country will gather at the Portland Convention Center to worship, celebrate, and take part in the democratic process that guides the work of this "uncommon denomination" of 1,000 congregations. We warmly invite press attention to this unique and festive event.
Major highlights of the gathering include:
- Opening Celebration, featuring a full choir and a parade of hundreds of colorful congregational banners—an excellent photo opportunity. Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.
- The Ware Lecture, a keynote address by Dr. Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University. Saturday at 9:00 p.m.
- "Witness for Earth Community," an interfaith demonstration in support of the environment, with UUA President Rev. William Sinkford, Noted environmentalist Dr. Joanna Macy, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, and other Portland area clergy. Saturday, 12:15, Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.
- Sunday "Seeker Service," an intergenerational, multi-media worship service. This introduction to Unitarian Universalist spiritual and community life is family- and GLBT-friendly and open to the greater Portland community. The choir of First UU church of Portland will be featured. Sunday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
As an alternative, liberal religious voice, Unitarian Universalism offers a fresh—and often controversial—faith perspective on today’s most compelling social issues. Presentations on a wide range of topics give a glimpse into the UUA’s passionate commitment to social justice and religious pluralism. A few examples:
- "First Freedom First" a discussion about the importance of religious liberty to a healthy democracy. With Rev. Barry Lynn, the outspoken director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and Rev. Welton Gaddy, director of The Interfaith Alliance. Friday at 1:00 p.m.
- "The Pentagon Papers Then and Now: Unitarian Universalists Confronting Government Secrecy." Free speech heroes Daniel Ellsberg and Senator Mike Gravel join Amy Goodman, host of "Democracy Now," for a conversation about the dramatic events surrounding the controversial publication of The Pentagon Papers thirty-five years ago.
- Best-selling spiritual author Kathleen Norris speaks on reclaiming the language of faith in "Amazing Grace." Sunday at 11:30 AM.
A deep commitment to environmental justice is practiced in UU communities in all parts of the country. Many events at General Assembly will celebrate earth-based spirituality or offer strategies for religious communities working to fight global warming.
All General Assembly events and presentations are listed in the General Assembly Program.
The UUA’s on-site press office at the General Assembly will be located in the Hawthorne-Sellwood Rooms in the Portland Doubletree Hotel, and press passes will be available there starting June 20th.
Contact:
Janet Hayes
Public Relations Director
(617) 948-4386 (Boston, through June 19th)
(781) 964-1851 (cell and Portland, after June 19th)
jhayes@uua.org
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
