UU Connections and GA 2014 - 

Providence Walking Toward Trouble

Although the topic of what transpired at General Assembly (GA) this summer has been covered elsewhere, I wanted to make sure its messages voted on there were sufficiently heard by our congregants. In addition, it is important to communicate the new directions the Unitarian

Universalist Association (UUA) is pursuing, as well as the items of conscience voted on at the plenary sessions.

We were fortunate to have our church be well represented in Providence. In addition to the ten teens that Robin and Lee Hill chaperoned, Aaron, Peggy Veal and Joan Webster also attended the event full time. Six of us went for only Saturday - Mara Pentlarge, Dianne Mann, Pauline Courchesne, Kim McCoy, Regina Mahan and myself. This article is a compilation of many comments made by various people at UUCW who went to Providence.

The theme for the gathering was "Love Reaches Out". This was the largest GA ever held, with approximately 5,000 UU's assembled, and Joan W was impressed with the democratic and well organized structure of the plenaries, where the large issues of the day were discussed.

There were many and varied workshops offered throughout the week, with focus on growing our congregations, becoming more inclusive as a church community, more multicultural, and becoming more sensory and more ecstatic in our worship. There was talk that many young adults, ages 20-40, may be looking for a different experience of "church". To that end, on Saturday, we had an opportunity to participate in exhuberant singing and chanting, led by the Boston Sanctuary Movement. For some of us older UU's, this felt more like TV evangelist fare, but many younger people became entranced by the drum rhythms and affective involvement in this worship. There were some workshops which encouraged more affect-based spirituality to allow current UU's a wider range of worship styles and also to potentially draw more younger people, people of color and various ethnicities into our pews. Our church has already responded to this challenge with our "Soulful Sundays" worship which engages many of our young people with more contemporary music and worship styles.

We UU's have a proud history of active engagement in the critical issues of our times. Social justice initiatives were discussed in the plenaries, and delegates voted to divest the UUA from most of its fossil fuel holdings, in concert with our 7th Principle. Increasing income and access inequality was voted on as the primary Action/Study item for the next three years. Likewise, the widespread practice of voter suppression in many states was seen as a violation of our 5th Principle (use of democratic process). Finally, the proliferation of guns and lack of meaningful limits on the number and kinds of weapons allowed in this country was voted on as an issue of immediate witness.

The UUA proposes that congregations engage in study and action on one or more of these critical issues, using the study guides they have pulled together from many sources.

Finally, the highlight of GA for many of us was Sister Simone Campbell's keynote address, where she urged the gathered congregation to "Walk Toward Trouble". She explained how it is easier to avert our eyes and minds from the pressing problems of our times, to turn the page, to walk away, to distract ourselves in the many ways we have taught ourselves to survive without living a larger life, a committed life. She explained that in her own life she eventually could not walk away any longer, and has found that "Walking Toward Trouble" has made for a rocky road, but a satisfying and ultimately fulfilling life. Sr. Simone's eloquent and moving description of her journey reverberated throughout the auditorium and led many of us there to want to commit to a fuller, more committed life also.

To that end, we ask that all those who want to "Walk Toward Trouble" participate in the study guide established by the UUA to address increasing income disparities in this country. We propose that during this study year, we work with the downtown church and invite activists throughout the Worcester area to join us, as we join them in local social justice events. This first year would be one of study, discussion and discernment in ways we want to move forward with a social justice plan that would be comprehensive, long-term and spiritually sustaining. The UUA curriculum would be our template for study, and the time taken to discuss the multiple issues involving income inequality would allow participants to get to know and trust one another, making for more cohesive relationships and measured action. Involving the downtown church as well as community activists broadens our base and builds on the good work already being done in the community by many committed people outside our UU churches.

It is also important that congregants be aware of the work that UUMassaction.org is doing in relation to hunger, homelessness, immigration reform, and reproductive justice, issues voted on in previous GA's for study, contemplation and action. These good people of UUMassaction, fellow UU's, currently set up vigils, witnesses, protests and information activities on important issues, usually held in the Greater Boston area. Please link into their website at http://uumassaction.org/uuma/sign-up-for-email/ to get on their mailing list for information on the issues as well as upcoming actions. For example, the New Sanctuary Movement in Boston has taken on a huge commitment by housing undocumented workers who would otherwise face deportation. The UUA is endorsing this increased social justice work being done by UU churches throughout the country, with some churches taking on vast challenges and commitments, including being arrested for demonstrating and speaking out. Even our President, Rev. Peter Morales, was arrested at an immigration rally. You can also find out more about these social justice activist churches in UU World magazine and through UUMA Action above.

So let's get some more social justice going on at UUCW! We are living in very turbulent times, especially lately, and it is tempting to look away. Instead, let's stand with Sr. Simone Campbell and "Walk Toward Trouble" as we seek to find at least partial answers to the vexing issues of poverty and growing income inequality in our country. Come and be part of the solution!