This is a call for delegates to represent FUUSN at this year’s General Assembly, which will take place on June 20-24, 2018, in Kansas City, MO.
What is General Assembly?
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the UUA through a democratic process, in accordance with our 5th UU Principle. GA is the opportunity for congregations to influence UUA decisions about the overall policy for carrying out the purposes of our denomination and exercise direct control of its affairs, including electing leadership and choosing which social justice issues to focus on in the upcoming year. There are always amazing workshop offerings to choose from, inspiring services and lectures, and several thousand UUs with whom to share fellowship. The GA is also a lot of fun, kicking off with the parade of banners from hundreds of UU congregations and organizations from all over North America during the opening ceremony. And, of course, there will be music! As an added incentive to participate, this year, FUUSN’s own Anne Watson Born will be the GA Choir Director.
What is the Theme of This Year’s GA?
The UUA has announced that the theme of this year’s GA is: “How can we faithfully meet the demands of our time?”:
The call to witness and act for justice in our society and in the world is clear. So, too, is the call to examine our structures and practices, dismantling and transforming those which fail to recognize the full humanity of all people and to honor the interdependent web of life. Join us in Kansas City as we dive deeply into questions of mission for our Unitarian Universalist Association, for our congregations and communities, and for each of us as individuals. Together, we’ll ask:
Who and how are we called to be at this time, individually and collectively? How are we called to act and to live? How does our Unitarian Universalist legacy strengthen us in living out our mission? In what ways does our legacy present challenges and impediments to answering our call?
The call to our faith has a place for each of us. Join us in Kansas City to build courageous, collective leadership with tools, skills and connections.
For more information about GA, visit the UUA’s website at www.uua.org/ga. Or feel free to talk to past attendees, including, among others, Jacki and Pat Rohan, Susan Bartlett, Bobbie Sproat, and Meg and Bill Holland.
How Can I Become a Delegate?
Based on the size of our congregation, FUUSN is entitled to send up to 9 delegates to the GA. This includes both adults and youths (accompanied by an adult), as long as you are a voting member of FUUSN. In addition, Delegates who cannot attend in person can register to participate online. Whether attending in person or online, of course, all Delegates and are expected to attend the plenary and business sessions as well as participate in any votes taken. FUUSN will pay for registration, and Delegates attending GA in person will be responsible for travel and lodging. There may be scholarship aid available to help defray those costs, so if you are interested but unsure of finances, please contact Rev. Erin Splaine (minister@fusn.org) to discuss your needs. Financial aid may also be available from the UUA (www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid).
Registration opens on March 1 and registration fees will increase on May 1.
Delegates can reserve housing through the UUA (www.uua.org/ga/travel) starting at 10am ET on March 1st. The less expensive housing options will go quickly, so be sure to make your reservations as early as possible.
If you are interested in becoming a GA Delegate, please let Ted Hess-Mahan know by February 23rd. You can contact Ted by email at tedhessmahan@gmail.com or by phone at 508-847-4855. He will forward all nominations to FUUSN’s Board of Trustees, which will approve them quickly so that delegates can begin signing up for housing on March 1. –Ted Hess-Mahan