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Get the Details on What's Happening at GA!
You can find everything you and your congregation need to know about the overall GA schedule, the educational and worship opportunities, and the tentative business agenda at
http://www.uua.org/program/14599.shtml. You can download the Preliminary 2014 Program Schedule for your congregation, to study the nearly 200 program offerings. In any given workshop time slot, you'll find about 17 learning options--something that will inspire you, address your congregation's needs and aspirations, challenge you to new ways of Reaching Out in Love. The Tentative Agenda gives you a chance to review and discuss all the issues and proposals that will come before the delegates to this General Assembly.The complete Program Book, Final Agenda and Mobile App will be available in May.
Dates to Remember:
- March 31 is the last day to apply to be a GA Volunteer or receive a GA scholarship. (Check under 'Registration' for the details.)
- April 8 is the last day to apply to the Ballou Channing District for a $250 BCD scholarship.
- April 30 is the last day to get the discounted early registration rate for GA. It's also the application deadline for Davidoff scholarships for lay leaders.
- There's no end date for congregational presidents to register for GA in order to qualify for the $100 registration rebate, but why not take advantage of the double discount?
- June 25-29: General Assembly! Make sure it's on your congregation's calendar.
There is Plenty of Affordable Lodging Available!
Keep checking the Housing page on uua.org/ga. There's plenty of RISD and Brown dorm housing, at rates as low as $230 for 4 nights. Some rooms in suites with kitchen, bath and common space, ideal for a family or congregational group.The UUA has also added a Comfort Inn to the room block at $94/night, and is looking at other hotels. Multiple nearby UU home hospitality offerings are listed.If you have accessibility needs, be sure to apply for an accessible room; if you do not need ADA room features but have mobility limitations that require you to be near the Convention Center, you may contact the GA office for advice and assistance (jsneegas@uua.org).
While You're In Providence....
There's a lot to see in this city rich in art, architecture and history. Some special programs and tours around the area are available. Check out http://www.uua.org/ga/travel/285334.shtml and add to your GA education and adventure!
If You Like to Sing....
The GA Choir rehearses every day at GA and sings at Sunday worship; sign-up is at GA on Tuesday and Wednesday. (See 'Contributing to the GA Program).We also hope to organize singers from area choirs to take part in Waterfire on Saturday evening; this can include folks not attending GA. Stay tuned for more information.
GA Options for Everyone
- There's something great every day of GA that your congregants can enjoy and benefit from. You should particularly try to support your delegates' full-time attendance if possible (though they can catch much of the business on the weekend.)
- For those who can't spend the time or money for full-time attendance, day registration is a good option. Check the program schedule to decide what days have the most relevant programming for you. If you're free weekdays, my personal advice is that you might get the most 'bang for your buck' with a one-day Thursday registration. That will also include Wednesday's welcoming activities and Opening Celebration, four sets of workshops, two major worship services, some rollicking evening entertainment, and a day and a half of access to the resource-loaded Exhibit Hall.
- To get just a small taste of the GA experience, there are three events open to the public; the Service of the Living Tradition on Friday evening, Waterfire outdoors on Saturday evening, and the Sunday Morning Worship Service, followed by free afternoon admission to the Exhibit Hall. Your congregation might want to organize a 'field trip' to any one of these.
- There's also an option for your congregation to be represented by off-site delegates, who participate online (See 'Virtual GA'). The General Sessions and major worship services are also live-streamed; you could gather a group to watch at home or at church.
There's truly something in GA for everyone--Don't let it pass you by!
Beth McGregor
District Coordinator, GA 2014
BethGA14@gmail.com
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