Guest Author: Maria Mendes

So what happened?  There were a wide range of workshops, educational sessions, worship services, entertainment, and lively chat rooms, as well as business meetings at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly (GA) available virtually from Milwaukee in June.  This year, 622 congregations were represented, primarily from the US, but also from Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines; and at one point there were 3,520 confirmed attendees.  Thirteen of our congregation attended: 10 voting delegates (our minister plus nine members) and three additional attendees.  I was one of the delegates.

This is the first of a series of blogs covering the happenings at GA starting with the business meetings. Other blogs will cover selected highlights and insights from the workshops and educational sessions. To keep things manageable for this one, I have inserted links to the documents referenced rather than go into detail.

So, why care about the business meetings?  Because the decisions impact us regarding both governance and ministry.  There were the usual meetings on by-laws and budgets – important for governance structure and funds to operate the UUA.  Of immediate concern for QUUF was the contested election for the Board of Trustees as well as a vote on the acceptance of the Statement of Conscience.  In addition, Actions of Immediate Witness, and two Responsive Resolutions were also presented to the delegates for consideration and approval. These will inform our various ministry teams and councils as programs and actions are developed.

Position 8 for the Board of Trustees was contested by two candidates:  Mr. Jay Kiskel and the Reverend Sam Trumbore.  Within our congregation there was support for and lively discussion regarding each candidate.  While both candidates held similar positions, they differed on support for the recommendations contained in the June 2020 Widening the Circle of Concern Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change and the potential 8th principle. My over simplification of their positions:  Trumbore supported, Kiskel did not.  Kate had a more detailed recap of their positions and responses from our congregation.  At our annual meeting on June 13, the delegates sought input from the congregation regarding the level of support for each candidate.  Excluding abstentions and no opinion votes, 76% favored Trumbore and 24% favored Kiskel. At the GA election, Trumbore was elected with 87% of the delegate vote and Kiskel received 13%. Although somewhat divergent, we are in general alignment with the direction at GA. Nevertheless, conversations will continue as we address Widening the Circle and possible adoption of the 8th principle.

The Statement of Conscience (SOC) provides congregations with an opportunity to mobilize energy, ideas, and resources around a common issue.  It also provides the UUA staff with a platform to develop curriculums for Adults, Teens, and Youth on the topic, and to lobby our positions in pending legislation. The SOC under consideration was “Undoing White Supremacy:  A Call to Prophetic Action.”  Our delegates also sought input regarding support for this SOC.  Excluding abstentions and no opinions, congregation support for the SOC was 87% in favor, and at GA support was 93%.  Again, we are in general alignment with the direction at GA.  For the detail about the SOC, refer to the approved Statement of Conscience: Undoing Systemic White Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action. This will inform our work going forward.

Three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) were approved at GA.  These differ from a Statement of Conscience. An SOC is the result of a three-year UUA process of definition, discussion, and revision, and carries the full authority of the UUA.  AIWs are developed at GA and express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed.  They allow us to respond quickly to social issues deemed urgent.

The three AIWs accepted at GA were:

1. Defend and Advocate with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Communities

2. Stop Voter Suppression and Partner for Voting Rights and a Multiracial Democracy

3. The COVID-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing. Courage.

The intent of the first two are stated in their titles and are areas in which we are active.  The intent of the third is to advocate for a healthcare system that is accessible, comprehensive, equitable and culturally acceptable.  All three are worth reading.

Two Responsive Resolutions were also approved.  These are requests to the various bodies of the UUA for consideration.  They are developed by an individual or group and presented at GA for approval.   The first, Include Systemic Anti-Racism in Principles, was referred to the Article II Commission and to the Board.  The Article II Commission is revising the section of the UUA Bylaws, which includes our Principles, Sources, and Purposes.  The second, Creating a More Just Future Through Divesting from Pipelines and Investing in Young People, was referred to the UU Common Endowment Fund.

So, this is a lot of background on the business conducted at GA.  But as noted this does affect our discussions about governance and ministry as we consider what the UUA recommends and our goals.

Next week’s blog will focus on highlights of Allies for Racial Equity’s workshop, called Praxis in the Borderlands: Solidarity vs Charity.