General Assembly 2024 Is in the Books

From June 20–23, more than 3,400 Unitarian Universalists from around the country and world gathered and attended this year’s all-virtual UUA General Assembly. GA is the annual gathering of UUs, where, in addition to conducting official business of the UUA, they join in community, explore the faith’s theological underpinnings, and emphasize the UUA’s mission, values, and principles. GA 2024 had 2,757 credentialed delegates from 734 congregations in fifty states; Washington, D.C.; Canada; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Mexico, France, and the Philippines. Five UUCOD leaders represented the church: Rev. Riddell; Walter Gendell; Linda Savard; Jane Zaun; and me. This year’s theme was “Love Unites, Stories Ignite,” meant to celebrate the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and divisions.

The new UU Statement of Shared Values centering love passed by more than 80 percent (two-thirds majority required for passage): 2,025 delegates favored, 499 opposed, and 21 delegates abstained. Article II of the UUA Bylaws is amended to identify the new values of the faith as Equity, Generosity, Interdependence, Justice, Pluralism, and Transformation, centered around Love. UUCOD’s own Article II of our By-Laws, “Purpose,” which mirrored until this change the UUA’s Article II, probably needs review and possible amendment, given the UUA changes.

Only one of four proposed amendments to the new values passed. The successful amendment changed the Equity shared value to read: “We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.”

Two proposed amendments to incorporate additional values—Peace, and Reason and the Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning—and a proposal for an alternative description of Equity, did not pass. Overwhelming 92% passage of a Business Resolution, “Embracing Transgender, Nonbinary, Intersex and Gender Diverse People Is a Fundamental Expression of UU Religious Values,” generated a particularly charged discussion.

The ongoing war in the Middle East was addressed. The Report of UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt expressed “the profound horror and loss of these latest rounds of violence in the Middle East.” An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW), “Solidarity with Palestinians,” passed with a 73.5 percent vote. AIWs are statements about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU congregations and affiliated groups. A Responsive Resolution, “UUA General Assembly Support for October 7 Hostages,” offered in response to the UUA President’s Report, called for the immediate release of all Hamas-held hostages and acknowledged “the real suffering of Jews within our Association and beyond.” It passed with 77 percent in favor. Delegates affirmed two other AIWs: “World on Fire: Humanitarian Work and Climate Change” (95.6 percent of votes), and “Centering Love Amidst the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19” (86.1 percent).

Many individuals attended daily cohort gatherings, which were groups of like-minded peers, such as religious educators, lay leaders, and UUs, interested in particular topics, like climate justice, class, smaller congregations, lay leadership, etc. We participated to foster a supportive community and share common goals and interests. Your UUCOD attendees are planning to share what we learned.

Julia Watts Belser, a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, and a professor of Jewish Studies at Georgetown University and core faculty in its Disability Studies Program, gave the Ware Lecture. Since 1922, a distinguished guest has been invited annually to give this talk. Did you know that past lecturers include Van Jones (2008), Mary Oliver (2006), Norman Lear (1995), Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1986), Shirley Chisholm (1985), Vernon Jordan, Jr. (1981), Jesse Jackson (1979), Elliot Richardson (1974), and Martin Luther King, Jr. (1966)? Rev. Riddell and I want to share her message with the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Ministry and see how we might be inspired to act to enhance UUCOD’s accessibility and help mitigate ableism.

Rev. Dr. Betancourt presented the 2024 President’s Award for Volunteer Service to the UUA to the Pink Haven Coalition, a project of frontline trans organizers working with progressive faith groups and mutual aid networks to create a network to house and provide welcoming communities to those directly impacted by anti-trans legislation, including those needing to permanently relocate or travel to access gender-affirming care. Jacqui C. Williams, a longtime UU who dedicated her life to combating racism as an educator, trainer, and community activist, and who died in 2023, posthumously received the 2024 Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism, the UUA’s highest honor.

For GA’s Sunday worship, UUCOD held its own watch party in the sanctuary, which many of us attended. Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon, minister of the UU Church of Columbia, Missouri, and others, led the service, which centered love and interdependence.

In other business, delegates approved a by-law amendment allowing an increase in the number of Religious Education Credentialing Committee members and elected three members of the UUA Board of Trustees, a member of the Commission on Appraisal, and two members of the Nominating Committee.

Next year, GA 2025 will be multiplatform, held both online and in person in Baltimore, Maryland. Why not get involved? You can find more information here: https://www.uua.org/ga.

—Bob Rancourt