The week of June 24th -28th we all have a unique opportunity to feed or our souls, be inspired and possibly to learn and expand our horizons.
As many of you know, the Unitarian Universalists hold an annual gathering called General Assembly. This year, it is being held and presented via zoom which makes it much more accessible ‘physically’ and financially!
There are several sessions which are open to the public and will be live streamed. After talking with Rev. Linda Hart from TUUC and past VIUF attendees, I heartily encourage you to participate in these services. Prior registration is not required.
Synergy Bridging Worship Thursday June 25th 3:00 PM
This is a transformative multigenerational worship. Come be inspired and illuminated at a celebration of treasured worship elements, rites of passage and brilliant contemporary musical performances. The service includes a collection to benefit the Katie Tyson Fund for Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Service of the Living Tradition Friday June 26th 3:00 PM
Led by the Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group, this service honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders; remembering those who have died, recognizing those who have completed active service, and welcoming those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. The service includes a collection to benefit the Living Tradition Fund.
Sunday Morning Worship June 28th 10:00 AM
Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. The worship service will include a collection for the Tomaquag Museum, an indigenous museum featuring an extensive collection and archive of Southern New England tribal communities. Here is the link for Sunday Service
In a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does our faith ask of us? At this year’s fully virtual General Assembly (GA), we will explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle, and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists. During this time of rapid change, the collective practice of our faith evolves and adapts to follow that path.
A variety of workshops and special events will provide registrants with tools to live into our mission and continue the work of our faith—both within UU congregations and in the greater world.
We Are Rooted
To know where we are headed, we must be in touch with our theological and historical roots. A major focus of General Assembly (GA) will be partnership with Indigenous leaders in the Northeast to explore how to co-exist in right relationship with one another and the land we occupy. We will deepen our understanding of Unitarian Universalism’s role in European settlement, 400 years since our direct religious ancestors on the Mayflower landed in Plymouth and began the colonization of what is now New England. GA will delve into our theological and historical roots, bringing those threads into the present day and acting in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
We Are Inspired
We are the ones we have been waiting for. We have been engaged in a transformation of our faith to be more inclusive and anti-oppressive, and GA will be an opportunity to experience the progress we are making and enter a new phase of this mission-based work. The UUA is a living laboratory for how we shift our faith communities as a whole to embrace values of justice and liberation. GA will provide learning opportunities for leaders to experience this work first-hand, and to take it back home. …Participants will leave GA with concrete skills to bring back their congregations to invest in the health, vitality and inclusivity of their communities.
We Are Ready
Fired up and ready to go! Our UU values call us to take action in the face of rising white nationalism, authoritarianism and climate destruction. UUs have been joining the #resistance locally, nationally and globally, and the need for our values of justice, equity, compassion and liberation rises each day. The 2020 elections are the most important of our lifetime for ensuring that our movements for justice can survive and thrive , and UUs across the country will be mobilizing to “UU the VOTE.” Attendees will be inspired and trained up to engage in electoral work as people of faith, living out our values in service of all our intersecting justice commitments.
A variety of workshops and special events will provide registrants with tools to live into our mission and continue the work of our faith—both within UU congregations and in the greater world.
