Dev:

Social Change is Still the Way Forward

Deepa Iyer provided a “social change ecosystem framework” that identifies ten roles needed to drive for equity, liberation, justice, and solidarity: guides, weavers, experimenters, frontline responders, visionaries, builders, caregivers, disrupters, healers, and story tellers.  Her book “Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection” is the UUA Common Read 2025-2026.  I bought a copy. https://www.uua.org/lifespan/curricula/read/social-change-now

One with the Force: Love, Justice and Resistance
Presenters described a Star Wars themed worship service about resistance and anti-oppression. Fun.

Service of the Living Tradition: USG was touched by Rev Caroline Bright receiving preliminary fellowship and Rev. Cheryl M. Walker completing service.

Meet The Moment General
I attended the second and third day of this general session. Other Meet the Moment sessions were specific to different “wave cohorts.”  I missed the first day during which they showed aggregate congregational certification data over the past decade and addressed the first question listed below.  Resources will be available later.  Meet the Moment was the GA theme and is also a framework for UUs to engage in big picture conversations and grapple with how we show up during these difficult times grounded in our values. See https://www.uua.org/congregations/meet-the-moment

Three grounding questions start the discussion:

1. What is the moment we are in?
2. What are the most urgent needs and important opportunities of this moment?
3. How do our UU values call us to respond to this moment?

RE: question #2: What are the most urgent needs?  We saw a video showing an example of a church in FL that partnered with community organizations working on the abortion vote by providing them space to work. Need to do asset mapping of your congregation.  The leadership team giving the presentation shared their insights. Key topics included information about a distributed organizing model, public ministry, strategy.

We need to equip UUs to do our ministry in public in effective and transformative ways.  This means we need to shift from a rational world paradigm to a narrative paradigm that works with feelings, not logic.  The far right uses narratives to make people think such things as empathy and diversity are bad. “Stories are like stars and narratives are the constellations.”  Wayfinder is a UUA communication with stories.

Strategy is a plan for success.  There is no solidarity without strategy. Not talking about strategic planning. Strategy includes:

• Scope based on goal
• Current position
• Focus – our strengths and what we can and cannot do
• Tools – resources, creative, reallocating
• Sequence of tasks
• Impact – be crystal clear on how to assess progress towards your goal
• Identify barriers that are in the way of getting to your goal and how to respond

Example:  UUA worked with community partners to offer vacant office space as a shelter for unhoused people for several months. They found an urgent need and were able to share resources.

We need to…

• Move from siloing to collaboration and shared resources.
• Stop driving for onwards and upwards forever to thinking in cycles of learning, reflection and action.
• Move away from everybody can do what they want to a shared mission and willingness to do what’s needed.
• Go from a culture of critique to the posture of YES.
• Be citizen storytellers for a narrative of religious life.
• Live up to our reputation in the world.
• Learn what it feels like to have impactful solidarity work of advancing our values in the world.

Breakout sessions:

• Progressive ministry and conservative rights
• Governance practices
• Conflict and transformation
• Leadership development
• Shared ministry
• Stewardship and fundraising
• Radical inclusion and welcome
• UU theology
• Risk assessment and strategic engagement for ministers
• Lifespan faith development
• Community partnerships and coalitions
• Organizing for justice

RE: question #3: What do our UU values call us to do in response to this moment?  We need to move fear out of the center and replace it with love.  Focus on what we’re fighting for, not what we’re fighting against.  Participants provided a list of some actions:

• Lean into discomfort
• Cards/calls/meals
• Childcare
• De-escalation
• Snacks/drinks for strikers
• Multigenerational worship
• Shared staffing models
• Publicly speaking out our values
• Highlight religion vs Christian Nationalism

I participated in the community partnerships and coalitions group.  We identified some urgent needs as protecting neighbors from ICE, protecting trans kids/people, reparations, hunger, and the climate crisis.  In the discussion about concrete actions and how to get there, ideas included joining interfaith groups, showing up for our partners (solidarity), fund raising for non-profits (generosity), forming

Democracy in Action teams as modeled by UUSJ https://uusj.net/wp1/issues/defending-our-democracy/  (interdependence), bring in outside speakers who are making positive change, and ask what are we doing now that we didn’t do before (transformation).

How do we get to concrete action?  See the three questions listed above.  Host Meet the Moment conversation in your congregation. Dig into the data, grow a shared analysis.  Join a fall wave cohort. Check out content of other cohorts. Sign up for updates. (done)

Divining Priorities, Social Justice Mission, and Trimtabs
The presenters from Susquehanna UU Congregation described a multigenerational service they did for MLK Day Sunday in 2022, “Resolution Alone Won’t Bend the Moral Arc.”  They passed out large paper triangles and asked participants to write in the center a social justice issue that feels really big.  Trimbals are little hydraulic flaps on the sides of ships that help the ships turn.  Participants were asked to write a trimbal in each of the 3 corners of the triangle.  The rest of the session was a description of how they constructed a large multisided ball onto which we pasted the triangles.  See Buckminster Fuller and https://www.ziptiedomes.com/ I left this session early as they were spending the time talking about how to make the ball, not what they did with the information on the triangles.

Protest and Progress with Prof. Gloria J. Brown-Marshall
Author of “The Protest History of the United States” https://uuabookstore.org/products/a-protest-history-of-the-united-states, Prof Brown-Marshall gave an impassioned speech about how people have protested in various ways throughout history and how we might protest today.  She started by talking about how her great-grandmother, an enslaved woman in KY, fought back against the brutality of her enslavers. Shouting “Power to the People” throughout her talk, she inspired the participants to find new and old ways to resist oppression.

DRUUM presentation in exhibit hall
Atena Danner, an anti-racist trainer, provided some basic information about racism and participants formed breakout groups to discuss one of several scenarios she gave us in a document called “Passport.”  In addition to the scenarios and discussion questions “Passport” includes specific anti-racist actions and “helper phrases” to use when engaging someone in a conversation about racist actions. See https://linktr.ee/atenadanner

Gina:

This is my second GA conference and the first time I went in person.

The theme of the 2025 GA was Meet the Moment.

I thought this was an apt theme given how swiftly various policies have changed in the US since Jan 20, 2025.

Although there were many wonderful in person and recorded offerings, if I could only share one item beyond the very influential Ware Lecture, I would highly recommend viewing the recorded presentation: Building a UU Democracy Leader Community by Fred Van Deusen and Dale Anderson.

(For non-GA attendees, the conveners recommend going to the UUSJ website to view this presentation, gather resources and if interested join them in their monthly meetings. See below)

Once on website go to Resources
Tap Drop Down Box
Choose: Videos
Choose: Building a Community of UU Democracy Leaders

Description of Presentation:
“The goal of UUSJ Democracy Action Team has been working with UU democracy leaders from congregations around the country to help build a strong pro-democracy community that can counter the threat of authoritarianism.”

This is a non-partisan group using UU values, a sub group within UUSJ. (Rev Latifah Griffith is a board member.)

Their goal particularly in the last 18 months is to be a National resource for helping UU congregations or individuals to build Democracy Action Teams within congregations and build coalitions with others.

I liked that a large umbrella framework was presented, which helped me better understand the various activities groups are doing and how much impact those activities might or might not make. I liked the larger framework which showed where people are in their social justice work and how each could move a bit in order to make even more of a difference. I liked the information on how to assess where an individual or congregation is in their current work. Emphasis was also made on how to work so as not to duplicate work and limited resources and how to bridge with other like minded groups. In the presentation the group referred to a link which is for is a list of 50 things an individual can do to make a difference.

I’m new to social justice work and I know there are people in our congregation who are much much more experienced than I am.

That said, even for people involved or interested in this work, I think it may be helpful to view this presentation, in particular for pro-democracy work.

Perhaps it would help USG streamline the work that is currently being done, or perhaps create A UU Democracy Action Team at USG in order to Educate and Rally interested congregants, who would like to learn more about how they can make a difference on this issue, but don’t know what to do or how to go about doing it.

Lisa:
I attended GA in person from 6/18 – 6/22. This was my 4th GA (I attended 2 in person and 2
virtually) and my third time as a delegate for USG. I served as a delegate and I volunteered with
the Volunteer office. I volunteered to offset the registration cost. I would not advise serving as a
delegate when you are also volunteering in person (20 hours required). Doing both leaves
limited time to attend other workshops and events in person.

I feel you get so much more out of the business sessions if you do the recommended pre-GA
reading and information sessions. By preparing, you have more time to understand the issues,
get questions answered, get feedback from others and develop questions.
Make time to peruse the Exhibit Hall. There are lots of interesting vendors, books, information
and “products” (retail therapy).

I also think it’s really helpful to attempt to attend a session or two on a topic “new to you” or
not of your usual interest. This allows you to develop new perspectives and meet new people.

In addition to the business sessions, I attended four worship services and one workshop:
6/18 4:30p Virtual banner parade
5:00p Opening worship
6/19 9a Meet the Moment: Freedom’s Unfinished Work –
A Juneteenth focused worship service
1p One with the Force: Love, Justice and Resistance
(This was well done. They drew parallels relating UU values to Star Wars – the
light saber as a chalice…lol and in other meaningful ways)
7p Service of the Living Tradition: Once Upon a Time
(It was great to see the progression of our former interns, retirement of our
former interim minister, and the new faces that will lead in UU spaces)
6/20 5:30p USG group dinner (Thanks USG for the dinner!)
7p BLUU 10-year anniversary celebration (fun)
6/21 11a Black Lives of UU (BLUU) worship – awesome.
The first in person BLUU worship for many of us who attended.
8p Ware Lecture – Activist Imara Jones. Her message was good. If we don’t stand up
for trans lives and rights, we will likely see a progression to infringing on the
rights of other marginalized groups. The MAGA folks used trans issues to activate
people who have a bias/unwarranted fear etc. about trans people.
But, I strongly disagree with some of her statements. That was a turn off for me.
6/22 7a Baltimore Women’s Classic 5k race (unrelated to GA)
A nice brisk walk with friends to start the day
11a GA worship
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to the Virtual Hymnal sing out session.

Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW)
From the UUA website: Delegates also voted to affirm all three Actions of Immediate Witness
(AIWs) under consideration: “Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism, a Call to Action: Reaffirming
Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom” (98.3 percent of votes), “Funding Global LGBTIQ
Freedom Amid Crisis: A Call for Immediate Action and Solidarity” (98.3 percent of votes), and
“We Declare and Reaffirm: All People Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights” (99.2
percent). 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.

Congregational Study Action Items (CSAI)
Five were proposed. The delegates voted on three.

• Abolition is faith formation was selected.
• Fat Liberation: Building Justice and Inclusion for Larger Bodies – not selected
• Housing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – not selected

Sarah:

This year was my first experience at GA. It was a fascinating experience which gave me a lot to think about. Some of the workshops and lectures that were especially impactful to me were: 

• Being Guided by the Youth Into the Future by Jennica Davis-Hockett, Mylo Way, Sharon Dittmar, and Jessica Laikeman
• Building Trans Justice, Safety, & Belonging by Alex Kapitan
• Apartheid-Free Communities in Solidarity with Palestinians by Rev. Dr. Allison Tanner, Omar Barghouti, Devin Dadah, and Taha Hayat
• Fahs Lecture 2025: A Theology of Community Organizing by Sean Neil-Barron
• Growing Membership Through Creating Connection by Laura Shrank
• Innovative Worship for the 21st Century by Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. and Justin Cody
• The Ware Lecture by Imara Jones

The common themes throughout these sessions, along with what I’ve been thinking about in general recently, led me to think of both GA and our church as microcosms of the world where we have more of a direct voice and power to experiment with creating the structures and spaces that embody our values of justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and love. Spaces where we can challenge the dominant and violent structures of our world and center marginalized and oppressed voices. They are spaces where we have more of a voice and power to dream big and do the work to make these dreams concrete than in the world at large. But because we are a microcosm of the world, we must also remember and recognize that we have all of grown up steeped in white supremacy, colonialism, capitalism, and all of the discriminatory -isms and, if we are to live out or stated values, it is our job to work to unlearn these and to recognize them in our thinking and structures. It is our work to listen to the people who have the ability to see the structures of inequality, and the courage to speak out about and name them. 

Along the lines of building the world we wish to see, I was impressed with the work that the organizers of GA did to make the conference accessible. For example there were mobility scooters, reserved spaces for mobility devices and people accompanying them. There were options to receive financial support to attend GA. There were stickers on our name badges that indicated whether or not we were comfortable giving or receiving hugs. There were indicators of invisible disabilities that people could put on their name badges. The organizers requested that people not wear scents to the conference and there were reserved scent free areas. There were some extra large chairs in each of the conference rooms. The organizers requested that everyone wear masks and free masks were handed out. Most of the sessions were interpreted into American Sign Language (ASL) and most were AI captioned on a large screen at the front of the room.Speakers gave visual descriptions of themselves and shared their pronouns when introducing themselves. There was a sensory room, a silent meditation room, and a youth room.

And yet, there was still feedback about how people’s needs weren’t being met – some people weren’t wearing masks, which was a health concern, some people struggled to hear when people wore masks, people on mobility scooters weren’t always given the right of way, there were a number of glitches with the technology that made the captioning and ASL interpreters inaccessible. Hearing this feedback and more at the final session was sobering but also a learning experience and reminder that, as an able bodied person, I am likely not going to see all the ways that things still are not fully accessible or inclusive. This is why it is important to have a variety of people with diverse experiences, identities, and knowledge bases in leadership. And some people’s needs will inevitably conflict, and we are a work in progress and constantly evolving, there is no such thing as perfect but it is important to grow and change as we learn more and know better. The important thing is to leave the space for feedback and for more voices, make space in leadership for a wide variety of voices and experiences, and to listen, take seriously, and take action on the feedback we receive.

In thinking about how to live out our values more fully in our congregations several other interactions and takeaway messages stood out to me from the sessions I attended. We need to really think about what it means to be welcoming and inclusive communities within our churches. 

• Big takeaway from Building Trans Justice, Safety, & Belonging by Alex Kapitan – Just because we think we are doing a good job when it comes to being inclusive of trans (or other marginalized) people does not mean that we actually are. And sometimes the more we think we are doing the more defensive we become to hearing feedback that we need to improve. (Alex Kapitan’s workshop)
• Big takeaway from Being Guided by the Youth Into the Future: When we receive feedback that something is not working for a person or group of people we need to actually listen and pivot in the moment and stop the harmful thing rather than saying that we hear them and continuing to do the harmful thing just because it is what was planned out ahead. This workshop brought me back to the important saying “Nothing about us without us.” 
• Big takeaway from the Fahs Lecture 2025: A Theology of Community Organizing by Sean Neil-Barron: In order to be an effective organizer,you have to care about and be in community the people you are organizing. You have to have genuine relationships with them.
• Big takeaway from Growing Membership Through Creating Connection: In order to grow membership you need to create authentic connections, prepare your environment and congregation to be welcoming and accessible, maintain ongoing education for everyone on deep listening, conversational skills, anti-racism, and being welcoming to everyone. Keep track of and in touch with people and create opportunities for connection with small groups and conversations. 
• Big takeaway from Innovative Worship for the 21st Century: Worship is whole-being engagement. It is not left brain (logic) but a right brain experience (presence, feeling, and creativity). Worship is wholeness- healing and sacred time. Music is key and should be a large part of the service. It is important to start and end with joy and hope and end with celebration. Songs move people from head to heart and don’t have to match the theme in the beginning. Collaboration makes community. Change the music and you will change the congregation (emotionally but also the makeup of who is in the congregation). People’s use of (white and mainstream) cultural capital can be used to stop change and keep the church from evolving and being more inclusive.

I am left thinking about what kind of visioning we need and want to do to evolve our current structures to more fully embody our values.

How do we make space for youth and other marginalized voices in decision making without expecting those who are experiencing various oppressions to always lead, teach, or do the work if that is not where their energy or interests lie? How do those of us in the majority and in positions of power make space for things to evolve to be more inclusive and equitable? How can we create new traditions that are more inclusive and how do we discern what traditions are still important, have value, and should be held onto? How can we be more aware of the fact that some people have more cultural capital in our church context and understand that that does not mean that the preferences, needs, thoughts or beliefs of these individuals are more important or valid or should have more weight than others? 

I left GA inspired and hopeful about UUs and our aspirations. And I left with many questions and ideas for how we can more fully live out our values in our congregations and our daily lives.

Andrea B:

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

• Consider ways that UUs may be able to partner with other community organizations to share OWL. (Possible collaboration with Black Doctors Consortium).
• Consider creative ways of reaching the community using OWL (movie & discussion events).
• The entire OWL curriculum must be done when calling a training OWL. If using only portions of the training, indicate it is a part of or derived from OWL do not indicate that it is OWL training.

General Assembly Women’s Groups 

International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women (ICUUW)
Facebook

https://www.icuuw.org

Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion

https://www.uuwr.org

Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation

https://uuwf.org

SistersoUUrce – Black Unitarian Universalist Women & Girls

Retreat Centers

Murray Grove Retreat Center & Events Venue (now available again)
431 US Highway 9
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
609-693-5558