General Assembly 2004 Event 5046

Before calling the delegates to order, Moderator Gini Courter asked, "Who's in the House?" Each day, a different part of the General Assembly (GA) constituency was recognized and honored, and today Courter honored all those who will carry back the light of ministry, worship, new ideas, membership welcome, and the spirit of General Assembly to their home congregations. Quoting Ware Lecturer and noted singer/songwriter Holly Near, "Take it with you wherever you go, and let the world know you won't go easy," she also encouraged the delegates to bring someone else back with them next year to GA in Fort Worth. Courter then opened up the fourth and final Plenary of the 43rd GA.

Report from the UUA Board of Trustees

Paul Rickter, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Trustee from the Mass Bay District, came to the podium and reminded delegates that the UU Principles and Purposes cite four purposes in coming together. Each of the Board's Working Groups has taken on one of these purposes as part of their mandate. The 'Our Association' Working Group is responsible for "extending and strengthening Unitarian Universalist institutions," and looks at three major areas: support for professional religious leaders; related organizations, and youth. Support for religious professionals includes the new credentialing system for religious educators, assessing the categories for ministry, and advancing community ministry. Areas of future concern are those of church administrators and church musicians. The questions around related organizations include: Why should groups affiliate? What criteria are appropriate? How do we make this easier, and how do we make it work for everyone? Turning to youth, Rickter said that our youth are a key part of our UU system, and there are good questions about how to empower them. There is a youth trustee and youth observers on the Board, but there is much more that could be done. UU youth have much to teach the adults about running meetings and getting work done in ways that are affirming for everyone.

Rickter introduced Nancy Van Dyke, newly elected President of the UU Women's Federation (UUWF), one of the UUA's associate member organizations. Van Dyke began her report by thanking Rickter for introducing her, noting that Rickter's mother, Phyllis Rickter, did so much for UUWF. Van Dyke told delegates that she is excited to share news of the recent restructuring and radical transformation of the UUWF. This effort began at their 1998 membership meeting with panelists Denny Davidoff, Kay Montgomery, and Meg Riley exhorting the UUWF to think outside the box — UUWF listened, and followed their advice.

This thinking outside the box led to the UUWF donating $200,000 to fund the UUWF Clara Barton Internship for Women's Issues in the UUA Washington Office, and to the beginning of a campaign to raise a matching $200,000 to endow the internship. Kierstin Homblette, the first intern, has worked hard on reproductive health; bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender concerns; comprehensive sex education; and as lead organizer for the UUA presence at the March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC, this spring. The UUWF is only $28,000 away from their $200,000 fund-raising goal. Van Dyke encouraged delegates to go to Donate Now to help bridge the gap.

The UUWF also went through a restructuring process that led to revisioning their mission and recommendation of a structure that would effectively implement that mission. They tested their initial research results with their membership with overwhelming support. On Saturday at GA, their members resoundingly endorsed the radical transformation-from an organization people support in return for district services to a UUWF foundation which members join to support grant-making and advocacy work. A new five-member Board will help carry out the mandate, and members can be involved by telling the Board of the issues that engage them. The UUWF website will soon carry an announcement of the first grant cycle for the transformed organization.

Moderator Courter asked Chair of the Commission on Social Witness, the Rev. Richard Nugent, to report on that morning's Supreme Court activity. To cheers, Nugent reported on three just-issued decisions affecting civil rights: an 8-1 decision that due process demands that citizens held in the U.S. as enemy combatants be given a meaningful chance to debate the facts of their designation before a neutral decision maker; a 6-3 decision that the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay must be given access to judicial review; and a 5-4 decision to remand to the lower court for technical reasons the case filed by Jose Padilla, an American citizen who was jailed without charges or access to the U.S. court system after being declared an "enemy combatant" by the Defense Department. It is, Nugent said, "a clear indication that the present administration's logic in these matters is faulty." He pointed out that these findings are very much in line with the 2004 UUA Statement of Conscience on Civil Rights, passed at Saturday's Plenary.

Courter called on UUA President William Sinkford to introduce Charles Clements, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the UU Service Committee. Sinkford said that Clements' leadership marks a new era in the relationship between the UUA and the UUSC. He brings a commitment to effectiveness and social justice, and Clements also understands that even though the UUA and the UUSC are separate entities, the UUSC needs to be a UU institution, holding not only our shared values, but the relationship to our congregations at the center of its mission.

Clements agreed, saying, "If the word is not out on the street, let it flow from this hall that it is my intention to put the UU squarely back into the center of the Service Committee." It is not, he said, about "pretty words or nice deeds. It is about self-interest."

When Clements served as the Director of Human Rights Education for the UUSC from 1986 until 1988, about ten percent of UUs were members. The percentage is about the same, fourteen years later. In his conversations with ministers, he has been asked the important question: "How do the programs and work of the Service Committee relate to the spiritual life of congregations?" Until we can answer that question, he continued, the UUSC won't thrive as an institution. Both the UUA and the UUSC need to know the answer so that we can "boldly push the envelope of social justice and human rights, broadcasting to the world our faith in action." This work will also bring more people to our UU congregations.

Rather than reviewing the UUSC's past record, Clements foscused on future. The organization has just completed a review that clarified and refocused their mission as a human rights organization. The organization originally "created to respond to Hitler's madness could stay relevant in today's far more complex and unpredictable world" only with a new vision, Clements said. The UUSC will sharpen their program focus to three basic, inalienable human rights: to environmental justice, economic justice and civil liberties. They are working in Burma, Central Africa, Guatemala, and Central America on these issues, and they are doing everything possible to maximize voter engagement and participation. "As Holly Near said last night," Clement continued, "there is nothing more important we can do for ourselves and the world than exercise our privilege to vote this November to make sure what is being done around the world in our name does not become business as usual."

Defending human rights, Clements continued, means saying "no" to the propaganda of war, "no" to the corporations that benefit from killing, and "yes" to the culture that honors women, the sun, water, and seasons and decency because they all illuminate life. He recalled the legacy of Theodore Parker and his work against slavery, reminding delegates that although Martin Luther King, Jr., made the line famous, it was from Parker's pulpit that America first heard "The arc of the universe is long . . . but it bends toward justice."

Clements ended his report by presenting two awards. The winner of the 2004 UUSC Social Action Leadership Award, created in 1977 to honor creative, inspiring, and effective leadership by an individual or group working for justice in cooperation with the UUSC, is Katie Culbert of Tampa, Florida. Culbert participated in the UUSC's Alternative Spring Break work camp to train activists for the upcoming national election, and she will be working to help mobilize get out the vote activists. The winner of the 2004 Mary-Ella Holst Youth Activist Award, created to recognize the achievements of young people working to advance justice, is Scott McNeill of Asheboro, North Carolina. While majoring in religious and African American studies, McNeill has participated in the UUSC Alternative Spring Break program and will be working on get-out-the-vote activities.

Other Awards

UUA President Sinkford next announced that the 2004 Distinguished Service to Unitarian Universalism Award is granted to the Rev. Robert Nelson West. West, who was not able to be present at GA due to a longstanding family commitment, was elected President of the UUA in 1969 from a field of seven candidates, and he served in that capacity until 1977. Those were turbulent times, Sinkford said, with the UUA's finances in chaos, the Black Empowerment movement challenging us, the Vietnam War tearing us apart. West, though, kept his eyes on the larger prize as he shepherded the UUA through staff reductions, rebuilding of the annual program fund, and keeping faith with the discussion on race even as it appeared that the movement stepped back from that important issue. He had the courage to support Beacon Press in publishing The Pentagon Papers, and his work made our finances sound and our spirit of faith renewed enough so that his successors could do the rebuilding of the institutions.

Many of the decisions West made, said Sinkford, caused him deep pain. "He always had the best interests of the Association in mind, and we handled the differences of opinion badly." Sinkford noted that time has headled many of these wounds and that "these days, Bob West returns frequently to 25 Beacon Street, and his contributions to our work on civil liberties are welcome." Sinkford told delegates that "what we do now would not be possible without Bob West's preservation of our Association." Sinkford said, "Let us learn from him to trust leaders at every level," and added that her personally thanked West, and apologized to him for the treatment he had received in the past. "May we name his return to us a blessing," Sinkford said, adding that the award would be presented to West this fall in Boston.

The 2004 Distinguished Service to Unitarian Universalism Award Statement and Citation

Presented to the Rev. Dr. Robert Nelson West by the Rev. William G. Sinkford

This year's recipient of the DSA is the Rev. Dr. Robert Nelson West.

Bob cannot be with us here in Long Beach. He is officiating at a long scheduled family wedding on the East Coast. We understand, because these days we know how important weddings can be.

The UUA Board will present him with this award in person during their October meeting in Boston.

Let me read to you, from the award citation, the reason for his selection.

After Bob's distinguished career in parish ministry, serving the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church in Knoxville, TN (1956-63), and the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY (1963-1969), influential Unitarian Universalists urged him to run for the UUA Presidency. He was elected in 1969, from a field of seven candidates, and served until 1977.

Bob led our Association through what were, without a doubt, its most difficult years. Our finances were in chaos. He had to drastically reduce UUA staff, attempt to preserve and rebuild our endowment, and revitalize the Annual Program Fund. What has been called the "Black Empowerment Controversy" was tearing our eight-year-old blended family of faith apart. The Vietnam War was contentious in our congregations. And Association membership was in sharp decline.

Despite the draconian financial decisions he had to make, Bob always kept his eyes on the larger social goals and purposes of liberal religion. While it appeared to many that Unitarian Universalist retreated from engagement with the difficult issue of race, he kept faith with the quest for racial justice. He had the great courage to publish the Pentagon Papers. He left the finances of the Association sound and the spirit of our faith renewed enough so that his successors could begin the process of rebuilding.

Many of the decisions he made caused him genuine pain. Though with hindsight, we can imagine other possible decisions, we know that Bob always had the best interests of the Association in mind. But also with hindsight, Unitarian Universalism handled our disagreements badly. Bob suffered abuse that was shameful, especially in a religious community. It took its toll. After the Presidency, Bob moved away from active relationship with our faith and worked in the private sector, as an administrator in two prominent Boston law firms. Thankfully, he now frequently returns as a visitor to 25 Beacon St. and is a welcomed contributor to our work on civil liberties and our history.

This award honors Robert West for the faithful stewardship he exercised in his leadership. Our success now would not be possible had he not preserved this institution through those difficult days. Let us learn from his years as our President to trust the good will of those we select for leadership, at every level. We thank him, and apologize to him and name his renewed presence among us as a blessing.

UUA Director of Washington Office of Advocacy Rob Keithan presented the 2004 Holmes-Weatherly Award to Russell W. Peterson. Peterson, author of Patriots Stand Up: This Land is Our Land. Fight to Take it Back!, is the former governor of Delaware, and has been a member of First UU Society of Wilmington for over fifty-five years. He has worked to rehabilitate poor neighborhoods, served on the President's Council on Environmental Quality, is a former president of Audubon Society, worked with Ted Turner's SURJ, and works with social justice issues in his congregation. Russell said that it is an honor indeed to receive this award. Fifty years ago when he served as the chair of his congregation's social action committee, he never dreamed it would lead to his being here today. Peterson said that he is "turned on by the spirit, love, and dedication he experienced there," and that he has enjoyed a wonderful life involved in social justice activism as a "damned liberal." Peterson said that his newest challenge is to use democracy now in order to change the threatening leadership in our federal government.

The Rev. Nannene Gowdy told the delegates that the Whitney Young Grants Panel was formed to honor Unitarian Universalist Whitney Young, Jr., the former executive director of the National Urban League before his tragic drowning death. The Panel makes grants of up to $,3000 to congregations that need funding for projects sponsored in urban settings. This year's grantees are:

• First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, awarded $1,000 to aid in their deaf ministry. They have commissioned a member to reach out to the deaf community and to educate the congregation about issues the deaf community faces.
• West Shore UU Church, Cleveland, OH, awarded $28,100 for their Caregiver Community that joins together small group ministry with intentional child rearing, helping parents left with few options to balance needs of child care and other issues.
• UU Fellowship of Kanawha Valley, Charleston, WV, awarded $3,000 to support their week long summer day camp dedicated to bringing out the best of arts, humanities and science for children aged seven to eleven from all racial backgrounds and economic levels.
• First Unitarian Church, Oakland, CA, awarded $3,000 to aid twenty-three congregations united to carry out Oakland Votes, a non-partisan get out the vote campaign to increase voter registration and participation among low income and/or people of color.
• Tennessee Valley UU Church, Knoxville, TN, awarded $3,000, more than they asked for, to support their youth in partnership with inner city teens to create youth programming at the Knoxville Zoo, fostering work on our Seventh Principle while uniting urban and suburban youth.

Amendments to Rules Regarding Election Practices

Delegates next turned to take up proposed amendments to the rules regarding specific election practices. (Refer to the Agenda (PDF, 56 pages, see 24-26).) UUA Secretary Wayne Arnason stated that these amendments, put forth and supported by the Board of Trustees, arise out of the experience of the last several elections, and address several issues of ethics, form, timing of preliminary gatherings to test the waters, privilege of access to information and assistance from the UUA staff, and when to withhold support when ethical standards are not upheld. The intent of these amendments is to encourage fair and accountable election practices. The Board supports these amendments, 25-0.

Speaking during debate on the amendments, the Rev. Carolyn Owen-Towle, former candidate for UUA President, stated that the process does need serious overhaul, and expressed concern for the negative tone of the document, stating that "it lacks grace." She said that when she chose to run eleven years ago, she felt as if she was trying to "storm the gates of Beacon Street." She encouraged the creation of a process to once again review the practices, and said that we need to acknowledge the blessing and right to run.

In response, Jerry Davidoff, who had served as the first chair of the first election campaign practices committee, said that he yields to no one in his respect for Owen-Towle, but "unfortunately, legislation must include certain prohibitive language because the protections it affords are necessary." UUA Secretary Wayne Arnason added that "the election task force of the Board is continuing its work and would welcome conversation. What is not reflected in the Rules," said Arnason, "are the changes in policy that the Board passed that do, in fact, open up more resources to campaigns and are working to create the more welcoming atmosphere Owen-Towle suggests." The motion was then carried.

Moderator Courter then introduced changes to Bylaw Section C-2.3. (Refer to the Agenda (PDF, 56 pages, see 27).) Since this Bylaw section was part of the original constitution of the UUA, it requires a two-year process. In the first year of consideration (2003), the motion was approved with the required majority vote, and that this year, the second year of consideration, a two-thirds vote is required for ratification. This amendment changes non-discrimination language in the Bylaws.

After the main motion was made, a motion was made to postpone the motion indefinitely. Those speaking in favor of postponement expressed concerns about the scope of the Bylaw, what the legal implications were, and what might be required of congregations to fulfill its mandate. Those speaking against postponement argued that the language was necessary, and that there were appropriate safeguards available through interpretation. UUA Executive Vice President Kay Montgomery informed delegates that this changed wording came out of the Board's work on becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural institution, and UUA Trustee Linda Olson Peebles stated that the language being considered is that which was recommended by UUA legal counsel. The langauge clarified that "gender" is intended to include gender identity and expression, and that "citizen status" is mentioned so the person's country of citizenship will not be held against them. A vote was taken on the motion to postpone indefinitely, and it failed.

Members of the Youth Caucus appeared at the procedural microphone, and asked for a suspension of Rule 14 regarding the presentation of amendments. Under Rule 14, in order for amendments to be brought to a Plenary for discussion, they must first have been presented at a mini-assembly called for that purpose. However, the youth representatives explained, the mini-assembly was held opposite youth programming and they were unable to attend. They asked that Rule 14 be suspended so they could present their amendment. Delegates, swayed by the argument, voted in favor of suspending the rule.

Judy McGavin, UUA Trustee from the Pacific Northwest District, said that the Board had originally put forward this amendment to update language that reflects the UUA's commitment to anti-oppression work. It was approved by the delegates at the 2003 General Assembly, and is presented for the required second vote this time.

In response to a question about what happens if this proposed change to the Bylaws is amended, Moderator Courter said that if the amendment makes the motion substantially different from last year such that it is the Moderator's opinion that it is contrary to the spirit of the motion passed the previous year, then it would return for a further vote in 2005. If, however, she determines it to be in the spirit of the prior year's motion, then it would become effective after this year's vote.

The youth representatives then presented their amendment, which was to not delete the words "color" and "sex" as proposed by the original motion, but to continue to add those words. They pointed out that gender and sex are not the same; that color is not the same as ethnicity; and that in order to be more inclusive, they should be retained. Another youth delegate of Asian descent rose to say that "color" is an old fashioned, disrespectful term, and that she disagreed with other members of the youth caucus. After more debate, one delegate moved to call the question, and this motion was carried. The delegates then voted on the amendment to retain the words "color" and "sex" in the motion, and this amendment was defeated.

Another delegate rose to ask that a show of hands vote be counted, but sufficient support (at least 49 other delegates) did not support a hand count of the vite, so the body returned to the main motion. Immediately a delegate rose to move that debate be extended by five minutes, and the delegates voted in favor of this motion.

Debate on the main motion resumed with delegates citing the Americans with Disabilities Act as a reason not to pass the motion, and another delegate stated that he wished there were an easier way than the "laundry list" approach to categorizing groups of people. However, he said, until such time as that is determined, he believes this list should be "made as long as we can make it until every conceivable class is there, and we stop thinking of who is and who is not inside the circle."

When the debate time was expired, Courter called for the vote, and the amendment to Bylaw Section C-2.3 clearly passed by more than the two-thirds majority required.

Debate and Votes on Proposed Actions of Immediate Witness

After an energy break provided by the youth caucus, the attention of the Plenary turned toward debate on the proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) admitted to the agenda the day before. Courter pointed out that some of the AIWs had no proposed amendments, and others varying numbers. She stated that she would take them in the order of number of possible amendments from least to most in order to preserve more time for those that appeared to need it. The delegates indicated their support for this plan.

AIW 1, The Alien Tort Claims Act and Accountability for Multinational Corporations, was moved. The Youth Caucus rose to express their support for AIW 1, saying that they will not sit back quietly to watch this legislation expire. One delegate who had recently returned from several months working in South Africa said that poverty there is the biggest barrier, and if they could bring forward suits against the multinationals, that would go a long way toward improving their lives for the misery these same companies have created. A delegate rose to call the question and this motion was passed, bringing delegates to a vote on the main motion, which passed resoundly.

AIW 5, Renew the Assault Weapons Ban, was then moved for adoption. Debate concerned whether or not this legislation was effective or not, and whether it was helpful to have this action on the books. After about six minutes of debate, with no one at the con microphone, Moderator Courter called for the vote on adoption of AIW 5, and it was carried.

AIW 4, Oppose Federal Marriage Amendment, was next moved for adoption. Debate included one delegate who spoke against the amendment saying that same-sex marriage endangered children, and that we should be protecting the least among us. Some delegates vocally expressed their dislike of this argument, and Courter called for the delegates to be in order during the discussion. Others rose to object to these comments. A delegate requested another suspension of Rule 14 because they were unable to make it to the mini-assembly at which he AIW was discussed, but the delegate body was not swayed by the argument, and they voted against suspension of Rule 14. Debate resumed, with other delegates expressing their support of same-sex couples raising and rearing children. When there were no other speakers at the con microphone, Moderator Courter called for the vote, and the delegates voted to adopt AIW 4.

AIW 2, Electronic Voting, was moved for adoption. Debate began, with a professor of computer science who helped develop the technology for electronic voting stating that without a voter-verified paper trail, no one will ever know the next time the votes of a state are stolen, and there will be no way to prove it. There being no one at the con microphones, the Plenary moved directly to amendments. A motion to change the wording in lines 37-45 was presented, and after minimal debate the amendment failed. Delegates then voted to adopt AIW 2 as presented without amendment.

In introducing AIW 3, Iraq: Sovereignty, The United Nations, and Human Rights, Courter pointed out that the Rules provide that when Roberts Rules of Order get in the way of getting a good job done, the Plenary can be moved into the committee of the whole. She pointed out to delegates that the first three possible amendments all called for amending the AIW to support immediate withdrawal from Iraq, rather than the December 31st, 2005, date in the proposed AIW. Rather than debating each in time, she moved the Plenary into committee of the whole to discuss the concept of immediate withdrawal versus the December 31, 2005 withdrawal date. Discussion then began with speakers in favor of immediate withdrawal citing the horrific situation our soldiers are in; that we need the money at home; the fear that if we give this administration an inch they will take a mile and we might never leave; and according to an Arab delegate, it is time for Arabs to deal with their own affairs. Those opposed to immediate withdrawal cited the need to work within the United Nations structure; concern that the Iraqi people need support to protect the country from a warlord takeover; and providing ways to support the nation in its rebuilding. Courter then asked the delegates to vote on whether or not, in coming out of committee of the whole, they would recommend skipping consideration of amendments A, B and C. The motion to skip consideration carried.

Amendment D, to delete the paragraph at lines 73-75 was next presented, with people arguing whether or not the Iraqi government will feel bound by the decisions of the Provisional Government. Amendment D to delete the paragraph was carried.

Several otehr amendments were considered and all failed, and Courter called for the vote on the main motion, adoption of AIW 3, and this was carried by a large margin.

Changing the AIW Process

Rob Keithan, Legislative Director of the UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy, then outlined the proposed changes to the process for AIWs. The first change, he said, was in criteria under which AIWs would be considered. In addition to the current criteria of timeliness, specificity, and narrowness of focus, the three-tiered criteria of grounding, fit, and opportunity would also be applied. An expansion in the list of those who can submit proposals was also recommended: currently only individual delegates can propose AIWs, and the task force reviewing this process recommend that this be expanded to include congregations, districts, UUA associate member organizations, sponsoring organizations, independent affiliate organizations, and UUA staff. Along with this expansion, there would be an early submission deadline of June 1st that congregations and organizations could use. This would allow for greater time for discussion between the sponsors and the Commission on Social Witness (CSW) as well as time to check facts and other material.

Further changes would include delegates making the choice of which AIWs would be admitted to the agenda. The CSW would determine which proposals met the established criteria, and then delegates would vote to admit up to six to the final agenda. Amendments to AIWs would be handled through working group process similar to that proposed for Statements of Conscience. Once admitted to the agenda, proposed AIWs would be considered in order of the number of votes received to admit them, with no amendments on the floor. The final recommendation is for the creation of a process to review and sunset old AIWs, thereby addressing questions such as how long AIWs should remain in effect.

Resolutions in Reponse to the Report of Officers

Under the rules of procedure, resolutions in response to the report of the officers of the Association can be added to the agenda. Steve Buckingham, president of the Bowie UU Fellowship in Bowie, Maryland, moved a resolution in response to the report of UUA President Bill Sinkford condemning the use of torture:

Torture

The delegates of the 2004 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations hereby condemn the use of torture by any individual, any group, any organization, or any nation and call on all people of conscience to take action (1) to expose and halt the use of torture whenever and wherever it occurs and (2) to hold accountable any individual, group, organization, or nation that conducts, authorizes, condones, funds, or covers up the use of torture.

In response to a question about the difference of this type of motion from an AIW, Moderator Courter said that they are both resolutions of this General Assembly, and would bear the same weight. The delegates voted in favor of the motion.

Homeless Shelter Fund-raising Results

Pat Marr, the GA Service Project Coordinator, reported on the results of the fundraising for the IOC homeless shelter. Along with the $20,000 donation from the Long Beach congregation, a total of $71,352 was raised toward this effort.

Moderator Courter asked the delegates to thank those who made this General Assembly possible: the Planning Committee, Commission on Social Witness, GA staff and the local planning committee. UUA Secretary Wayne Arnason, in a point of personal privilege, pointed out that the Moderator had neglected to ask thanks for one person, herself. Another delegate at the procedural microphone asked how it was that the Moderator could be nominated as Moderator for Life. The Youth Caucus then appeared and asked for the privilege of giving to the Moderator safety pins, their symbol of adults who empower youth, which the Moderator accepted to sustained applause.

Final Credentials Report

UUA Secretary Wayne Arnason gave the final credentials report:

• Total attendance: 4700, including 4246 adults and 454 youth
• Total delegates: 1971, including 1595 lay delegates, 347 ministers, 3 members of associate organizations, and 26 Board members
• Delegates were present from all fifty states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces

Following process observations, announcements and an invitation to the 2005 General Assembly in Fort Worth, the Moderator called for a motion for adjournment from the chair of the GA Planning Committee, Linda Friedman. That made, the vote was taken, and the 2004 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association stood finally adjourned.

Reported by Lisa Presley; edited by Deborah Weiner.