Not even a month remains until General Assembly 2019, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, convenes in Spokane Washington. GA continually ranks among the year’s most vital gatherings of members within the UU religious community.

And the UU Humanist Association cannot wait to be there.

The UUHA plans to offer attendees a series of exciting programs and exhibitions, each of them demonstrating the value of Humanism within the UU tradition. If you plan to be in Spokane between June 19 and June 23, we would love to meet you! Here’s where you can find us:

PANEL: “Whose Humanism Anyway? Answers from the Humanist Collaboratory”

When: Thursday, June 20; 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Where: Davenport Grand — Ballroom A

What happens when UU ministers, Ethical Culture clergy, humanist rabbis, and “renegade” humanist organizers -- often creating community among humanists of color -- get together? They discuss what humanism means, right now, to people of many identities. Join Humanist Collaboratory organizers to hear their take on humanism in an intentionally multiracial, intersectional context.

Though officially hosted by the Humanist Collaboratory, this panel is co-sponsored by the UUHA and was created by two of our serving Board members: Leika Lewis-Cornwell, our newest Board member; and Rev. Amanda Poppei, President of the UUHA. UU minister Rev. Dr. Patrice Curtis will join Leika in presenting the workshop.

The UUHA Annual Meeting

When: Friday, June 21; 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Davenport Grand — Meeting Room 1

Join us for the UUHA’s most important formal event of the year, where all standing UUHA members are encouraged to attend and have your say in the direction the UUHA might take in the next year. We have an awfully tight agenda to work through in a small amount of time, but here’s what we’ve got planned:

The UUHA Person of the Year Award

Earlier this week the UUHA proudly announced the 2019 recipient of our annual award to individuals whose work affirms, promotes, and advances the ideals of Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist Association or in society at large. That recipient is Vanessa Gomez Brake, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. Vanessa will be present to receive her award, and we encourage you to read more about her work before meeting her in person.

UUHA Board Elections

Our most important business at GA is the election of our Board and Officers for the following two years. Every current member of the UUHA attending this meeting is welcome to vote and, in the next month, is encouraged to bring their names forward for consideration for any open position. Look for more details on who will be on the 2019 ballot—and for the possibility of online voting—in the coming weeks.

Exhibit Booth

When: Wednesday June 19 - Sunday June 23, Exhibit Hall hours of operation
Where: Booth # 211 at the Exhibit Hall in the Convention Center

Each year the UUHA relishes the opportunity to connect in-person both with our members attending GA, and for any attendees curious to learn more about Humanism within Unitarian Universalism. Our booth in the Exhibit Hall is a great chance to meet and get to know us better.

What delights await in booth 211 of the Exhibit Hall at the Spokane General Assembly?  

• A display of nearly 200 different pins, bumper stickers and fridge-magnets (bite-sized nuggets of Humanist, UU, and Social Justice wisdom and humor)

• Two new books: Grandmother Fish - A Child's Introduction to Evolution by Jonathan Tweet (perfect for families and RE programs) and Religious Humanism: the Good Life Lived in Community (a UUHA publication) by Andy Reese and Peter Kandis

• The latest issue of the UUHA Journal (Humanist Resistance - Some Resources)

• Recycled fabric art from the studio of Rev. Jim McConnell (stoles for ministers and choir members, bags and banners and aprons, decorated with UU and humanist symbols)   

Our booth is a chance to chat with UUHA volunteers and Board members, meet author Jonathan Tweet (have him autograph his beautifully illustrated book), renew your membership and donate to one of our social justice projects.

We will continue to post updates about the UUHA’s presence at GA over the next few weeks, both here and on our Facebook page. As always, feel free to contact us with any specific questions.

See you at GA!