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UUA 2001 Installation of New Officers |
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UUA 2001 Installation of New Officers |
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William Sinkford Installed as Seventh UUA President in General Assembly Closing Ceremonies; Diane Olson Becomes Moderator
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(Cleveland, OH - June 25, 2001) In the same city where, thirty-three years ago, Unitarian Universalists were nearly torn apart by racial strife and divisions over black empowerment, an African American minister from Cincinnati, OH became the Association's President. The Rev. William G. Sinkford, now a resident of Cambridge, MA and formerly Director of the UUA's Department of Congregational, District and Extension Services, was installed as President by the Rev. John A. Buehrens, who leaves that role after eight years.
In his benediction as President, Sinkford said, in part: "We have gathered here in Cleveland once again. We have gathered here in mystery, with the spirit of life moving within us and through us and among us. We have gathered here to listen for the still small voice of our calling, waiting to be heard. Gathered here in struggle, and in the transformative power of religious community. Gathered here to hear our history once again, and to know again the great hope that this liberal faith we love offers us and our hurting world. … Let us leave committed to respond to Your calling, to heal and not to harm, to help, and not to hinder, to bless, and not to curse. Let us leave here committed to respond to Your calling, and answer as the prophet did, here we are Lord. Send us."
Also installed was Diane Olson of Paradise Valley, AZ as Moderator, succeeding Denise T. Davidoff, who served for eight years in that role. In installing Olson as Moderator, Davidoff said, "I have found that the absolute best part of GA is calling the delegates to order at that very first plenary session. Let's be clear: wielding an instrument that can get several thousand self-defined leaders to order in a hall like this can give one a misdefined sense of power. Be careful that you do not mistake courtesy with obeisance. Be vulnerable to criticism… you will learn from it.
"And the Board of Trustees meetings are a thrill nonetheless. Let me tell you about the UUA Board of Trustees…they think they have been elected to work hard. They are self-critical, and hold their body to high standards of excellence. They are brave. They are adventurous, and always fiscally responsible. Given the chance, they will make you look good… Love these people, Diane. Listen to these people. Lean on these people, and trust them, and their processes. Welcome, welcome Diane, to what is likely to be one of your life's greatest adventures."
The UUA's Financial Advisor, Lawrence Ladd of Needham, MA, was re-installed as Financial Advisor by former Financial Advisor Robert T. Lavender. Members of the UUA's elected committees and Trustees at Large of the Board of Trustees were installed as well; the ceremony included music by the 200-voice General Assembly Choir under the direction of Keith Arnold of Golden, CO, a re-affirmation of the journey toward wholeness process to confront racism and oppression, and recommitment to "our common call," the covenantal relationships of the association that must be nurtured in order to grow and remain healthy.
The closing ceremonies ended, as they had begun, with a rousing choral version of the spiritual "The Storm is Passing Over," and then long, enthusiastic applause greeted the new President and Moderator as they stood together on the stage with former Presidents and Moderators of the Association for photos.
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