The Pastor’s Pen
Two weeks ago, I spent almost every day engaged in virtual meetings, worship, panels, and events. I attended both the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association Ministry Days, where colleagues gather to process ministry together, and the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, where UUs of all roles and identities gather in community to celebrate and advance the goals and aspirations of our denomination.
I was originally planning to attend in person in Baltimore but decided, at the last minute, not to squeeze my large body into a coach seat for five hours there and back. However, virtual attendance was motivating and inspiring.
Ministry Days consisted of great bonding and learning experiences with colleagues, culminating with the Berry Street Essay. This talk was established in 1820 by Rev. William Ellery Channing for the Ministerial Conference at Berry Street and is the oldest lecture series in the United States. It addresses liberal ministry in relation to the current age and was delivered this year by Reverend Leela Sinha. Her very inspirational lecture was entitled “Tricksters and Tyrannies” and will be available at this link (https://uuma.org/programs/berry-street-essay/) in the coming weeks or months.
General Assembly, as always, was a grand event with numerous learning opportunities. I played a piece of its culminating lecture, the Ware lecture, at services last week. The Ware is also a renowned lecture series, with recent speakers such as Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Stacey Abrams, Naomi Klein, Krista Tippett, and Cornel West, to name a few. This year it was delivered by activist and author Imara Jones and was immensely powerful. It should be posted in a few weeks or months at this link(https://www.uua.org/ga/program/highlights/ware-lecture).
I was also a delegate and voted on various things at GA, including actions of immediate witness (AIWs), the new UUA moderators, and bylaw changes. But, rather than write about the specifics here, please read this great summary article from UU World Magazine to get all the information. You can also go to www.uuworld.org and search for GA 2025 to find the article.
I’ll be on vacation from July 13th through August 10th, and I look forward to re-engaging in the fall for an amazing second year with PacificUU!
Pastor Joshua
