General Assembly 2020

General Assembly is the annual Unitarian Universalist convention organized by the UUA. GA 2020 is hosted by Providence, RI from Wednesday, June 24 through Sunday, June 28.

This year’s event will be 100% virtual. The UUA live streams the public events on YouTube, you can follow along on Facebook and Twitter, or the UUA General Assembly App. Follow the hashtag #UUAGA and tag your photos and responses. 

Representing NWUUC this year will be Rev. Misha Sanders, members Hannah Cowart, Jay Kiskel, Allen Rider and Lil Woolf.

We will not have our usual live streamed worship service this Sunday but encourage everyone to attend worship at GA with thousands of of other UUs at this live streamed service. Our own Dr. Philip Rogers, Director of Music, will be presenting the Responsive music during the worship service, “Deep River,” the traditional African-American spiritual accompanied by Nivek Anderson on cello.

Schedule

Click a date below to see the schedule of public events. Click on an event for more information, including video, transcript, and other documents. 

General Session 1

8:45 – 9:30 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.​

  • Call to Order
  • Welcome
  • Libations—honoring those who have come before
  • Introduction: GA Youth / Youth Caucus
  • Introduction: YA@GA—Young Adults at General Assembly
  • Introduction: Chaplains
  • Introduction: Right Relationship Team
  • Introduction: Accessibility
  • Adoption of Rules of Procedure
  • Closing Words

General Session 2

1:30 – 2:45 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Elandria Williams and Mr. Barb Greve preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.​

  • Call to Order
  • Opening Words
  • GA Theme – Roots
  • Preliminary Credentials Report
  • President’s Report
  • Special Collection: UU the Vote
  • Music
  • Commission on Social Witness Report
  • Presentation of Actions of Immediate Witness
  • Framing for Breakout Groups
  • Closing Words
  • Announcements
  • Breakout Groups

General Session 3

4 – 5 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.

  • Call to Order
  • Commission on Institutional Change Report
  • Closing Words

Reports

5:15 – 5:45 pm ET

  • Introduction to Reports
  • Beacon Press Report
  • Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Report
  • Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation Report

Service of the Living Tradition

6 – 7 pm ET

The Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group invites you to join us at this service where we honor those who have died, recognize those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship, credentialed, or certified status in the past year.

The sermon will be delivered by Rev. Danielle Di Bona. Rev. Di Bona has served Unitarian Universalism for 30 years, and is the 2018 recipient of the Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism. In her retirement, she serves as the Palliative Care chaplain at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA. She has served as a member of the UU Nominating Committee and on the UU Women’s Federation board. She is the former President of the Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries, and continues to serve DRUUMM as Chaplain. Rev. Di Bona also serves on the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She is a Chaplain to the UUA Board of Trustees and Finding Our Way Home.

Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles, Service of the Living Tradition Music Director, is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education and performance. Born, raised, and educated in Southern California, she is in demand as a vocalist, conductor, clinician and adjudicator for competitions, festivals, and conferences related to choral and solo vocal music. She serves on the national board of the National Association of Negro Musicians and is co-chair of the board of directors of Tonality, a non-profit organization that promotes peace, unity, and social justice through choral music performance in Los Angeles.

The service includes a collection to benefit the Living Tradition Fund..

General Session 4

1:30 – 2:45 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.

  • Call to Order
  • Opening Words
  • GA Theme—Rooted Inspiration
  • Chaplains, GA Planning Committee, Right Relationship Team Updates
  • Voting Process Review
  • Rules Review
  • Bylaw Amendments
  • Music
  • Business Resolutions
  • Closing Words
  • Announcements

Board Report

5:15 – 5:45 pm ET

  • Introduction to Reports
  • Board Report
  • Conversation with Incoming Co-Moderators

Synergy Bridging Worship

6 – 7 pm ET

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.

Bridgers (youth transitioning to young adulthood) are invited to be honored at the service by submitting their name, congregation and/or a short video clip by June 10th.

General Session 5

1:30 – 2:45 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.

  • Call to Order
  • Opening Words
  • GA Theme—Rooted, Inspired, and Ready
  • Installation of Elected Volunteers to the Board of Trustees, General Assembly Planning Committee, and Nominating Committee
  • Voting Process Review
  • Consideration of Actions of Immediate Witness
  • Music
  • Responsive Resolutions (if any)
  • Closing Words
  • Announcements

General Session 6

4 -5 pm ET

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.

  • Call to Order
  • Opening Words
  • Final Reports from Chaplains and Right Relationship Teams
  • Courageous Love Awards
  • Co-Moderators’ Report
  • Installation of Incoming Co-Moderators
  • Music
  • Appreciation of Co-Moderators Rev. Mr. Barb Greve and Elandria Williams
  • Words of Thanks
  • Invitation to GA 2021
  • GA Theme—Rooted, Inspired, and Ready to Act
  • Final Credentials Report
  • Closing Words and Gavel

 

Sunday Morning Worship: Beyond the Water’s Edge

10 – 11 am ET

Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience is open to the public. Rev. Joan Javier-Duval will deliver the sermon at the 2020 General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship. She serves as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT. She is the daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, mother of a kindergartener, and spouse of a proud Vermonter. Beauty, gratitude, and love are at the heart of her faithful striving for collective liberation and a thriving planet.

The worship service will include a collection for the Tomaquag Museum, an indigenous museum featuring an extensive collection and archive of Southern New England tribal communities. Donate now.