General Assembly (GA), our annual gathering for connection, democratic governance, worship, and learning is happening next month! As we continue to make GA more accessible, this year is a multiplatform event. Many UUs will gather in person in Baltimore, MD and others will join us online on Wednesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 22. Learn more and register for GA today at UUA.org/GA.

This year’s workshops and presentations will align with the theme, “Meet the Moment,” exploring how Unitarian Universalism can address today’s challenges and opportunities. As UUA President the Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt said recently:

You are going to hear from your UUA during General Assembly this year, and over the course of years to come, that we are called to Meet the Moment together as one living tradition. Each of us as individuals, and every one of our communities has wisdom to offer the whole…We are relearning the best of congregational life together as we continue to rebuild from quarantine, engage our rearticulated shared values, and respond faithfully to the needs of a changing world that is broken and still beautiful.

When we come together as a faith community, especially in these difficult times, we find strength and solace in our connections to one another, in meaningful worship, and in learning alongside one another as we do the work to move our faith forward and respond to the world as it is. This email shares some of the key events happening at this year’s General Assembly, including the recently announced Ware Lecturer, information about streaming Sunday Worship, the Moderator election, and more.

With you on the journey,

Rachel

When UUs convene this June in Baltimore, MD for General Assembly, Local Area Coordinator Valerie Hsu wants them to love her vibrant city as much as she does. Hsu is executive director at the UU Congregation of Columbia, MD and is working with the UUA’s General Assembly & Conference Services office to put a local stamp on this year’s event.

General Assembly is filled with many beloved traditions, including the congregational banner parade. As the UUA leans more deeply into the multiplatform experience at GA, we’ve expanded the banner parade into a Congregational Recognition & Banner Parade, giving more congregations the chance to participate, whether in-person or online. Submit your congregation’s banner photos by May 15 or bring your banner to Baltimore.

Sunday Worship at General Assembly is an opportunity for thousands of Unitarian Universalists to share in worship together. This year, historian of American religious history and the Chair of Unitarian Universalist History at Meadville Lombard Theological School, the Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, will lead worship. Registration is required to attend in person, but the livestream is open to the public and a recording of the service will also be available on demand shortly after the live broadcast.

We are excited to announce that Imara Jones, whose work has won Emmy and Peabody Awards, and is the creator of TransLash Media, will give our historic Ware Lecture this year. Imara has wide ranging experience in policy and journalism spaces working to advance gender equity and she currently hosts the WEBBY-nominated “TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones”. Access to this inspiring presentation requires GA registration.

It’s an honor to have storyteller, religious educator, and curriculum writer, Mx. Katharine Childs to lead worship for the Service of the Living Tradition this year. Mx. Katharine has served as the President of the Liberal Religious Educators’ Association since 2003, where they have centered disability justice, community care, and combating white supremacy. Music for the Service of the Living Tradition will be led by the incredible group bēheld. Register for GA today to experience this meaningful service.

We will elect a new UUA Moderator at GA this year! This significant volunteer role serves as our Association’s Chief Governance Officer. The current candidates are Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson and Bill Young running as a Co-Moderator candidate team, and Natasha Walker running as an individual Moderator candidate. The election begins on June 1 and concludes at GA.

Delegates are critically important to the democratic process at General Assembly. Only certified member congregations can be represented by delegates, and a GA Delegate Platform is used for proposing amendments, discussion, and voting during General Sessions. Delegates can also register for business-only access to the Delegate Platform.

As a multiplatform event, this year’s General Assembly will offer livestreaming free for some programming, like General Sessions and Sunday Worship, while other online programming will require registration to access the content on demand. Learn more about the General Assembly schedule, different forms of registration, and financial assistance for joining us at GA 2025 this year.