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Donnis Deever Tells About GENERAL ASSEMBLY
A Meeting of Congregations (continued from page 1)
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Each meeting time you have to choose among such presentations as:
Darfur Genocide: What Can You Do?,
Developing Congregational
Conflict Management Teams,
U.S. Sponsored Torture:
A Religious call to Action,
Sundown Towns:
A Hidden Dimension of American Racism,
Small Congregations
Preparing for Professional Ministry, etc.
Besides the plethora of interesting topics the delegate has to be aware of meeting times for the delegate assembly.
This
year the Plenary sessions (delegate sessions) were moderated by an
extraordinary woman named Gini Courter. She was able to keep the
meeting running, allow debate, modify conflict and keep everyone
smiling at the same time - remarkable when you realize that there were
over 5,000 UU's at this Assembly. The President of the UUA, Rev.
William Sinkford, is also an impressive and charismatic leader.
This
year the G.A. tried a new concept to allow more immediate input to the
convention from attendees. They called it "Open Space". It
allowed whoever wanted to split off into groups according to concerns
that were identified and formalized by us, the participants. Then
people could elect to go to the discussion of whatever concern
interested them. These issues then came back to the Assembly of
delegates. I have a list of these discussion issues and the ones
that came before the delegate assembly.
When
I return from the summer I will present to the congregation a notebook
of events and issues discussed by the assembly. Congregations are
asked to respond to the issues approved by the assembly. Dorothy Ward
and I will bring these to your attention throughout the year.
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The
major issue debated at length was the "Statement of Conscience" which
is to become the "charge" that congregations become active
around. I have a copy of the entire statement but the summary
is: that UU's need to speak up clearly and forcefully in their
own communities for the moral values we hold dear. In particular we
need to speak clearly for 1. The basic principle of freedom, that is
the right of all human beings to follow a life of their choosing, as
long as others are not harmed.
And
2. The basic principle of inherent equal dignity of all human beings,
which includes the right of all human beings to equal justice.
(the full text is on the UUA website). Surrounding this debate
was a great deal of emotion concerning the rights of gay and lesbian
people and the issues surrounding the intensifying debate over illegal
immigration. It was stimulating and yet frustrating to be exposed
to so many intelligent discussions and presenters.
**Perhaps
one of the highlights was the electrifying session: The
Pentagon Papers Then and Now: UUs confronting Govt.
Secrecy. The major players involved in bringing the Pentagon
Papers to the surface: Daniel Ellsberg, Senator Mike
Gravel, Rev. Robert West, Beacon Press were all there and told a
riveting account of the fear and drama of bringing the facts about the
Vietnam War to the surface. OUR press was the only one with the
courage to print these documents. The story is as forceful as any
excellent mystery novel and the implications for us today are just as
striking. Daniel Ellsberg maintains that the secrecy and falsehoods
associated with the present administration should be uncovered by
courageous voices from within the current "players" and that the
consequences of NOT exposing these lies will be catastrophic for all of
us. Almost all attendees were at this presentation and gave these
courageous men a long standing ovation.
I would encourage all of you to attend a
G.A. You can do so without becoming a delegate. It is an enlightening and enriching experience.
Next year's G.A. will be in Florida.
Donnis Deever
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Fourth Annual Family
Camping Trip
Yes
- the summer is nearly over, and it's time to begin to think about
Sunday school - which, as many of you know, traditionally begins with a
camping trip in Munds Park.
This year, we will be camping on September 8th & 9th.
Activities will include a group hike, campfire, s'mores and church
service in the woods. All are welcome, with or without kids.
Call or email Kathy A for more info.
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Einstein's Ethics
Our family workshop and potluck series continues on August 25th
at 5:30 PM at the Wens' home. Kids will play in one room, while adults
discuss the source of our ethics in the other. Potluck dinner will
follow. Non-parents are welcome to attend, but you must have a high
tolerance for kid noise. Contact Kathy A. for more information.
Sunday School
First day of Sunday school at the church will be September 16th.
We will have three classes this year:
Our newest class (who will need to name themselves) are in grades K - 2 and they will be studying Stories about God.
Eagles (grades 2 - 4)
will follow the Spirit of Adventure curriculum and will learn about
Unitarian Principles as well as the lives of famous Unitarians through
hands-on activities. (Second graders can choose which class they wish
to attend.)
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Intervals in the Light - Kunst van Ron Massey
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Last year, Middle School Students
learned stories from the Hebrew Bible, and teachings of Jesus and
Buddha as part of a two-year program on Sources of Strength/Sources of
Wisdom. This year, they will study Mythology, Psychology and
Philosophy. These students meet before church.
We will also have childcare for preschoolers during church.
For questions about Children's RE or any of the activities on this page, call Kathy Abramowitz at 623-915-2678, or email Kathy@abramowitzes.com.
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