Welcome to this month’s issue of the MidAmerica UUA Regional Newsletter!

If you have not already made reservations and/or plans to attend some part of multiplatform General Assembly 2023, held in Pittsburgh, PA June 21-25, 2023, I hope you will consider doing so. For those able to travel in person, this is the closest GA might be to us for a while so take advantage! Reduced rates are offered to Emerging Adults (age 18-24), UUA Aspirant & Candidate Ministers, Retired Ministers & their Spouses, and Surviving Spouses of Ministers.

I like to plan my GA experience in advance (whether online or in-person). There are always terrific on-demand and live workshops and several important general sessions. Personally, I am looking forward to the Thursday featured speaker Brian Broome. Other folks might be more excited by youth programming, the Ware Lecture, Service of the Living Tradition, Article II conversations, or the banner parade.

I also want to talk up the fantastic city of Pittsburgh, PA, for those who can attend in-person. I have a family member who lives there so as your MidAmerica Pittsburgh tour guide may I recommend the Strip District with unique grocers and restaurants. Homemade biscotti! Vast collection of cheeses and deli meats (like vast)! Unique noodles, spices, produce, coffee, macaroons, and chocolate! Check, check, check.

If you are interested in jaw dropping world class museums, may I recommend the Carnegie museums of Art and Natural history, and/or Science, and/or Andy Warhol. Some of the best dinosaur fossils in the world, people. If you like shoes (really) may I recommend Little’s Shoes.

If you like sports, how about a trip to PNC park (a beautiful park) to see the Pirates. There is also an extensive bike trail area downtown along the river if you are so inclined.

However you choose to participate, I hope you take part in GA 2023.