Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
& General Assembly (GA) News
Boston, Mass. (June 26, 2024) – Unitarian Universalists (UUs) adopted new language on core religious values at the denomination’s General Assembly (GA) from June 20th through June 23rd. GA is the annual gathering of UUs, where the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) conducts business, gathers in community, learns and worships together, and emphasizes the Association’s mission, values, and principles. The UUA's bronze chalice with two circles connected sits on a podium with a lit candle in it and a dark and colorful blurry background
“This is a historic moment for Unitarian Universalism, as we move our living tradition forward to focus on shared values that will help promote liberation, radical inclusion, and communal care both within our church and across society,” said Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, the UUA’s President. “I am so proud of the work that our congregations, volunteers, UUA staff, and especially individual UUs have put in throughout this discernment process. It demonstrates how functioning democratic processes can be used to create change that is just and equitable.”
The UUA concluded a multi-year process of discernment to consider changes to Article II of the Association’s Bylaws, which included the Principles and Purpose. This process, which changes the way that UUs describe their beliefs and values, formally began in 2020 with the creation of a commission that recommended language focused on shared values. Two-thirds of the delegates at GA were required to pass the new language – 80 percent delegates voted in favor. The changes are effective immediately. Read more on the Article II revision process.
2025: Multi-Platform | June 18–22
From June 18 - 22, 2025, the 64th UUA General Assembly will be a multi-platform event with the main stage at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.Previous General Assemblies
2024: Virtual | June 20–23
In a world filled with division and challenges, the theme for this year's General Assembly is a powerful reminder of the core principles that unite us as Unitarian Universalists. "Love Unites, Stories Ignite" celebrates the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and fosters connections within our faith community and beyond.
Our faith has always been rooted in the power of storytelling, and this year we'll explore how our stories can ignite change, inspire compassion, and help us build a more just and equitable world. Through storytelling, we share our experiences, our dreams, our struggles, and our triumphs. It is through these stories that we can find common ground, deepening our understanding of one another and the world around us.
More GA details:
- Are you looking forward to GA 2024? This year it will be all virtual! Watch this video to learn more. Registration is open!
- The Tentative GA Business Agenda is now available.
- You can view the full list of co-horts, on-demand workshops and featured speakers at the UUA website. We'll be using WHOVA again as our GA app.
- Our Ware Lecturer is Julia Watts Belser, learn more about her.
- The Sunday morning service is open to all, led by the Rev. Molly Housh Gordon.
2023: Pittsburgh PA (Multi-platform) | June 21–25
The theme for General Assembly 2023 is "Faithfully Becoming." We continue to live in times of transition and change; so much is in flux. The COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, our communities, and the world. It made clear the devastating and deadly impacts of longstanding racial and economic disparities. The ongoing losses and threats from climate change (of which the pandemic is not unrelated), growing authoritarian movements and the rolling back of fundamental human rights – these all present tremendous challenges for our lives, our children, and our future.
Many feel worn out and overwhelmed. But times of significant change can also be moments of opportunity and possibility. Major shifts are happening. Our theology and our values as Unitarian Universalists are needed.
2022: Portland, OR (Multi-platform) | June 22–26
Meet the Moment: Reimagining Radical Faith Community is the theme for General Assembly 2022! We will have the option of meeting online or in-person! For those who enjoyed the convenience and accessibility of remote participation, General Assembly will continue to offer a virtual experience with robust programming and enhanced delegate discussion tools. For those who miss the in-person experience, GA 2022 offers opportunities to re-connect with friends old and new, local site attractions, and more! Join us June 22 - 26, 2022 online or in-person in Portland, Oregon.
And if you are interested in the videos from GA 2022, the on-demand library is now available to the general public. The library of over 80 workshops, worship services, and other events is now available. Some recordings are no longer available due to copyright or agreements with the presenters. Check it out at the GA Recordings website
2021: Virtual General Assembly | June 23–27
Circle 'Round for Justice - Healing - Courage is the theme for General Assembly 2021. General Assembly is a time to circle ‘round in community. We circle ‘round in care and healing; for liberation and justice; and for love and courage. We share stories of the work happening at our Association. and in our congregations. We study ways to implement and live into our mission. UUA GA 2021 will incorporate recommendations from the Commission on Institution Change report, "Widening the Circle of Concern" and dialogue with the Article II Commission about our Principles and Purposes
2020: Providence, RI | June 24-28
Rev. Schuyler Vogel, the minister of the 4th Universalist Church in NYC, gave a rousing inspirational lecture about the history of Universalism in America and his church in particular. He may be familiar to you if you participated in the online UU the Vote phone bank action back in May. He and some of his congregants joined our effort with UU churches here in the Philly area, and Washington, DC. We also got a brief introduction to the new Executive Director of Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center, Diem Jones.
2019: Spokane, Washington | June 19-23
The Power of WeIn a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does our faith demand from us? At this year’s General Assembly we explored the power, possibility, purpose, struggle and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists. Attendees left Spokane inspired, with the tools needed to carry on the work into their own congregations and communities. Join us as we continue to work for collective liberation inside and outside our faith.
2018: Kansas City, Missouri | June 20-24
From the UUWorld: The call of our faith has a place for each of us. 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. Join us to build courageous, collective leadership with tools, skills and connections.2017: June 21-25, New Orleans, LA —
General Assembly 2017 took place June 21-25 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130.
2016: June 22-26, Columbus, OH —
This year's GA took place June 22-26 in Columbus, OH and included a Ware Lecture from award-winning broadcaster and bestselling author Krista Tippett.
2015: Build A New Way at GA
2015 General Assembly (GA) was not just have green practices: we worked for climate justice. With
Commit2Respond, a broad Unitarian Universalist movement, GA built our capacities to: shift to a lower carbon future, advance the human rights of affected
communities, and grow the climate justice movement. Unitarian Universalist worked for climate justice.
The GA 2015 theme was "Building a New Way." It was about more than climate justice. It was about breaking out of our old ways, and using our creativity to live into something new. At GA we worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone who registers may attend; delegates from our member congregations may vote. Programs and childcare were also available for children.
2014: The theme for GA was Love Reaches Out
.
Religious life in America is changing dramatically and rapidly. Fewer people are identifying with specific denominations and most mainline religions are losing members in droves. People now find many outlets and places of engagement for their spiritual lives. Current studies of faith in America show that there is a movement toward a liberal, fluid kind of faith that doesn t fit with traditional denominational identity and structure. We already know that for every adult member of Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations, there are at least three non-members who also consider themselves to be Unitarian Universalist.
A core purpose of our faith is to help people grow in spirit and in service. We believe that our faith provides a path for each of us to unlock our transformational capacity to serve the world with love. We want to expand our faith not just to grow Unitarian Universalism, but also to better achieve this transformational purpose. Therefore, the General Assembly Planning Committee, the UUA Board of Trustees and the Administration want the General Assembly in 2014 help our association live into a future where our Love Reaches Out to share our faith both within and beyond our congregations' walls.
