Live Oak is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We are what is called “free” congregations. Our polity is congregational. Every UU congregation is an independent entity; we call our own ministers, vote on our own officers, create our own covenants, make our own decisions, and pay our own bills.

But we also choose to be interdependent with all the other UU congregations. Part of that means that we support a national headquarters that creates curriculum, programs, hymnals, etc.

When you hear the term “the UUA,” we are frequently referring to this national headquarters. But make no mistake about it — the UUA is us. We are a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. And General Assembly (GA) is where we make the decisions for our Association through the democratic process, which happens via voting delegates from every congregation. (Well, every congregation that sends delegates.)

Last summer was a momentous one. We voted to replace the “Seven Principles” in our UUA Bylaws with a set of shared values: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, and generosity, with love at the center.

This summer, there are more important things to discuss and vote on. We will be in Baltimore (we now do a hybrid in-person/online GA every odd year, with virtual GA on the even years) discussing (and arguing, I’m sure) about business resolutions, congregational study action issues and acts of immediate witness, and more.

Even if you are not attending General Assembly, you may be interested in the business meeting agenda. As you’ll see, different association committees give their reports, projects are introduced (we’re getting a new virtual hymnal, y’all!), there are business resolutions, and this year, an election for a new moderator.