The 2014 General Assembly (GA) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) closed Sunday night, June 29. Over 4,700 people attended the
annual meeting which featured worship, educational workshops, public witness, and UUA business.
Highlights of the meeting include:
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An overwhelming vote in favor of the UUA's divesting from fossil fuel companies in its Common Endowment Fund.
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A successful fundraising event called Brave Souls: UUs Pledge Over the Edge that raised half a million dollars for Unitarian Universalism. Unitarian Universalists from across the movement, including
UUA President Rev. Peter Morales, rappelled from the top of the Rhode Island Convention Center.
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A public witness event at WaterFire, Providence's downtown community arts festival, which drew thousands of participants.
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The annual Ware Lecture given by Sister Simone Campbell, who received a rousing response from the audience to her advice to "walk towards trouble."
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The selection of "Escalating Inequality" as the Congregational Study/Action issue (CSAI) for congregations to examine in-depth over the next four years. This CSAI calls on Unitarian Universalists
to challenge extreme inequality-now pervasive in our society-just as prior generations led movements fighting for the abolition of slavery and seeking fully inclusive civil rights for all.
Delegates at GA 2014 also passed the following Actions of Immediate Witness:
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To support a "Uganda New Underground Railroad" to safely extract LGBTQ people from persecution in Uganda
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To affirm congregational commitment to gun violence prevention
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To support the "Pray for Relief" faith summit from July 31 to August 1 on stopping deportations
A special collection on Saturday raised $24,000 for the UUA's Standing
on the Side of Love campaign, which celebrated its fifth anniversary at this year's meeting. The collection from Sunday morning worship service raised roughly $50,000 for partner organizations
Housing First Rhode Island and
McAuley House.
Detailed coverage of the agenda, justice work, and worship at GA can be found on
UU World's
General Assembly blog.
A copy of this message is available on
UUA.org.
