Love Reaches Out--
The theme of this year's General Assembly, June 25-29 in Providence, RI, is "Love Reaches Out." Here are three ways you can reach out in love as we prepare to gather for GA 2014..
Help feed the hungry by creating a bowl.
Each year, we reach out to the local community with a GA Service Project. This year's project benefits two outstanding organizations that serve the homeless-Housing First Rhode Island
and
McAuley House. To help raise money, we will sell symbolic 'empty bowls.' Artisans in pottery, ceramics, wood, metal or glass, will you donate one or more samples of your work, which we'll display and sell for a worthy price? Perhaps we'll sell chances on one or two of them as well. We are also looking for bowls more modest, but given with intention and love. Painting ceramic bowls together to raise money to feed the hungry would be a great service project for a youth group, an RE class, or an adult church or community group. Not artistically inclined yourself? You still can help, by recruiting bowl donors in your area, helping to gather bowls and bring them to GA, or volunteering to spend some time in the Exhibit Hall booth selling them. There's room in this project for everyone! Interested? Curious? Explore the possibilities by contacting GA Service Project Coordinator Nori Duncan of Providence, at nori.duncan@gmail.com.
Reach out in your congregation.
Who would benefit from GA? Who would make good delegates? Unfamiliarity and cost might give some folks pause, and they may be hesitant to ask, especially if they're new. Why not reach out and encourage them? Why not start a fund to help pay for GA attendance? Or run a special fundraising event? (See ideas on the GA website.) Or offer help with child care or transportation?
Share your talents.
There are lots of volunteer opportunities at GA-see if some might suit you at http://www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid/14930.shtml Do you love to sing? When you get to GA, plan to sign up for the GA Choir! Learn about it at http://www.uua.org/ga/program/contribute/174728.shtml
Together, we'll be
reaching out in Providence by helping to sponsorWaterfire on June 28th, where we'll be standing on the side of love and taking a major role in this nature-centered artistic event, which has brought Providence international attention. Get a glimpse of the spiritual and communal experience of Waterfire at www.waterfire.orgLooking forward to gathering together in one strong body in Providence!
Beth McGregor, District Coordinator, GA 2014
BethGA14@gmail.com
