And So Goodbye
Today started with a breakfast meeting for the committee chairs, always a pleasant event. Everyone gives an update of her/his committee activities for the year. Since the Board of Review had no appeals, my report was very short.
I rushed back to the hotel to finish packing and get checked out on time. Then off to two workshops. I keep thinking some day I'll go to GA and go to a workshop during each hour they're scheduled, but it hasn't happened yet. For today, I enjoyed the luxury. I arrived late at the one about how congregations can use the Internet. I missed the email discussion, but got there in time for web sites and mailing lists. Great stuff. I'd like to put our newsletter on our web page, and it does sound easier than I thought.
The next workshop was how three large congregations moved from a "culture of scarcity" to a "culture of abundance." An interesting side note was how generously the congregations in Utah pledge. I guess something must rub off from their tithing neighbors.
Speaking of neighbors, and neighborhoods, the convention center area is remarkably clean. The streets are wide, and I don't know whether people keep them litter free or there are frequent clean-up crews. I didn't see any, and, of course, our GA-goers filled the area so we were contributing to the general cleanliness.
One thing I've noticed at every GA, especially this one. There were some people I ran into several times a day. Others I never saw. In fact, if others hadn't told me they saw them I'd have thought they never made it. The only time I saw my minister was when she jumped from her seat to take my picture as I walked by with the banner. I haven't seen her since.
Speaking of the banner--it's gone. I went to get it this afternoon and it wasn't there. I guess someone in my congregation took it upon her/himself to take it home. I hope so! Barbara Prairie, the UUA's GA Administrator, assured me they all turn up.
The last stop before the banner search was the plenary. It started with the report of the Moderator, Denny Davidoff, as warm, direct, informative and witty as usual. She received a standing ovation. Then came the Actions of Immediate Witness. The first one, requiring labeling and testing of foods that have been genetically engineered, was defeated. The sentiment seemed to be that we didn't know enough about it, and it really should be a study item before we voted based on what might be faulty scientific assumptions. Unfortunately, the one that interested me the most--the Boy Scouts--was last, and I had to leave to get the shuttle to the airport.
I was surprised at how many people were in the Plenary session today. This year was the first time GA ended on Monday night. So few people usually attend the plenary on Tuesday morning, the Planning Committee decided to end GA Monday. I thought that would mean few people would be at Monday's plenary. I couldn't justify another night in a hotel and a morning of missing work just for half the plenary and the closing ceremony, so I took the last flight out. But I guess for east coast people it made sense to leave Tuesday for traveling because the time change makes it a whole day's trip.
There were comments all around of what a good GA it was. I found it more relaxed than most, partly because I had fewer pressures and partly because the location was so extraordinary. All the hotels were reasonably located near the convention center and the center itself was large enough for all our needs. Salt Lake City will be a hard act to follow.
| June 27, 1999 |
The high point for each GA is the Service of the Living Tradition. The Ministers, in their colorful robes walking in to the stirring singing of "Rank by Rank," is the high point of the high point. This year the SLT was dampened a bit for me by the music, provided by a jazz band with drums that I found to be much too loud. And I still don't know why the ministers' choir, always outstanding, didn't sing.
But Mark Belletini's superb sermon made up for my musical disappointments, which weren't shared by anyone else I saw. People kept telling me they thought it was the best SLT ever.
I grabbed a quick lunch over at the mall food court, pleasantly surprised to find that it was open on Sunday even in Mormonland. All GAs should be near malls; it's a great convenience.
The plenary was a reasonable three hours long, actually ending early because there was no debate in opposition to the resolution, which was our very first Statement of Conscience. The Moderator announced that the vote was unanimous, but then someone pointed out there was one vote in opposition. The early adjournment of the plenary allowed time for a nap, my first one since Thursday, before meeting a friend for dinner. We decided to go early because we both had workshops to attend at 7:15.
The workshop addressed an issue that has concerned me. I have always been uncomfortable with Native American ceremonies as part of UU gatherings. I'm not even happy with our practice of having seders. This workshop, "When does spiritual searching turn into cultural theft," explained my discomfort. A simplified answer: when ceremonies--or more often faux ceremonies--are used without the permission of a Native American leader who is in the position to give permission. A Zen Buddhist protested. The speaker explained the difference. Buddhists reach out; they want westerners to embrace their religion. For Native Americans, it's cultural exploitation.
Night time, and time for the Ware lecture. The list of Ware lecturers over the years is amazing. The speaker, Mary Pipher, started out by saying how intimidated she was by reading the list of previous lecturers. There was no reason for her to be intimidated; she was excellent. But as excellent as she was, and despite my earlier brief nap, I could not keep my eyes open. By 9:30 I had to leave or fall asleep right there. Blessings on the Internet. I assume I can pick up a summary of the rest on line.
| June 26, 1999 |
The Five-Hour Plenary
The day started with my making a presentation to one of the many organizations that proliferate when UUs assemble. A lot of people were making presentations; each presenter was allocated a half hour. My audience was cordial and interested. It was a good way to start the day.
After that was done, so were my obligations for the rest of GA. There were no more issues to speak to--barring a last-minute impulse. I went to a workshop, my first one since GA started. The trouble with workshops is the difficult choices. No matter which one I choose there are several others I'm missing.
Just enough time was left to fit in a short lunch before the plenary session. One of the pleasures of GA is that you can go to eat and know there'll be someone to eat with. I walked slowly toward the snack bar at the end of the exhibit hall, browsing the merchandise along the way. I felt an arm around me: a friend from my district. She's about to move from California to take a pulpit in the northeast. In the future we will probably see each other only once a year, at GA, unless I take her up on her invitation to visit. We went together to the snack bar, where I met a friend who moved a few years ago from my neighborhood to New Mexico. As much fun as the pro opportunity to keep renewing acquaintances. This must be especially true for ministers, many of whom move so often.
Then the "killer-plenary," as I had heard it dubbed. I amazed myself. First, I had no trouble staying wide awake, and, second, I managed to remain in my seat while one of my favorite topics was being discussed: the drug war. I have often given a talk entitled "The War on Drugs: Another Vietnam." I believe we can't win it and we have no business fighting it. The crimes committed to obtain the drugs, the staggering sums that are spent in futile enforcement and incarceration, and the potential use of that money for education and rehabilitation make it a major issue and one where the publicity of a religious association taking a position could potentially have an impact. I had not prepared a statement, so I decided if others, who may have planned to speak for it, went to the mike I would not. In no time a long line had gathered.
It lost. Soundly. The winner had more than four times the votes: "Responsible consumption as a moral imperative." It is startling to hear that the average American and Canadian uses more than 500 times the earth's resources than the average Ethiopian. But looking around the room I couldn't help but think of all the planes and cars that brought us there to our air-conditioned hotels and conference rooms. Perhaps this study topic will teach us how to have General Assemblies without wasting the earth's resources.
Two delightful receptions in the evening. The first was Friends of the UUA, always a pleasant event, but this time with hors d'ouvres good enough to make a meal. The next reception was my district's. As wonderful as it is to meet up with old friends at GA, there's also something special about getting together with the people from your district while you are all away from home.
Walking back to my hotel I was struck by the way every single time I have moved a foot toward a crosswalk, all approaching cars immediately stop. That's a piece of Salt Lake City I'd like to take home.
| June 25, 1999 |
Impressions of a Banner Carrier
What a glorious tradition the banner parade is! I used to carry a banner for either the district or my congregation, but gave it up after a GA at which the carriers missed half the opening ceremony. This year, after a member of the congregation made a beautiful new banner; I just had to show it off. I tried to find someone else, but no takers. So there I was again, holding my banner aloft, asking myself why I was beaming from ear to ear.
Why? Because it is such fun to walk through the assembly, seeing people I haven't run into yet waving to me, hearing applause and cheers for my congregation or the congregations of nearby carriers as we parade through. And then sitting and watching the rest.
I suppose that could sound pretty dull, watching hundreds of people walking by, holding up the proud displays of their congregations, committees or other organizations. But it isn't. It's thrilling. There's the excitement of seeing the colorful artwork and reading the names of places as near as Ogden, Utah, and as far as Adelaide, Australia. Here we are, from all over, come together in this one place. We're a small Association; and we don't usually see many other Unitarian Universalists. And here we are in a room with thousands of us.
Friday always seems to be the busiest day of GA. My day started with the mini-assembly. As the chair of the UUA's Board of Review, I was concerned about the proposed bylaw amendment which would give a right of review to ministerial candidates denied Fellowship. I had heard it was likely to pass, and I thought it was poorly thought-out. So I offered an amendment to refer the matter to a study committee. After a half hour of discussion, my amendment was defeated. But the resolution itself was so soundly defeated I knew it wouldn't pass at the plenary session.
After the mini-assembly, I spent the rest of the morning running errands. A book from the district bookstore to return to the UUA bookstore, a packet of materials to give someone, messages to leave on the board, a picture to bring for the display on families, and a stop at a display to buy an abalone lapel pin. These were interspersed with short visits with once a-year friends.
One of the messages I received was from a member of the Board of Review setting up a lunch meeting so we could discuss the resolution. So off to lunch, and our decision to say nothing about the resolution unless asked. No one asked. Then the plenary session, with its reports and the discussion of the resolution, which was defeated.
Dinner was another meeting, lasting until 9:00. The last meeting of the day was at 10:00, the only time it could be set when there was nothing that conflicted. Friday is over; I'm catching my breath!
| June 24, 1999 |
The schedule says GA starts Thursday and ends Monday. But it doesn't really. Not if you are sufficiently addicted. If that's the case, what you get are transitions.
There's a lot happening before GA "happens." The ministers meet for several days. So does the Board of Trustees. And the congregational administrators. And the district presidents. The field staff, of course, meets, and the religious educators. And I'm sure you don't want me to list them all. GA's not over Monday, either. While there are fewer activities after GA––it's hard to entice exhausted people to stay––there are some.
I arrived early for a Wednesday evening meeting. That gave me most of the day on Thursday to lounge, luxuriate, see Salt Lake City and go look up my ancestors in that wonderful genealogical library at LDS headquarters. That, at least, was my plan. But fate intervened, thanks to the bulldozer outside my window. After two days, it was too much — so I changed rooms to the other side of the building. Yes, there was a silver lining. The room is bigger and the view better.
After much too big a buffet breakfast, delicious as it was, I went off to explore the city, and to do the business of GA. There were messages to leave about plans to make. I ran into my favorite person just in time to go eat. It's probably the most leisurely meal I'll have at GA, which is filled with many workshops and programs, all of which I want to attend, forcing difficult choices all around.
But after my early wake up, and with district meetings coming up later this afternoon, and then the opening ceremony, followed by the first plenary session, I spent my remaining free hour in the most sensible activity of all––a nap.
| June 23, 1999 |
First Impressions of Salt Lake City
Nope, I've never been here before. And Salt Lake City did its best to impress me today. For the past few days there have been questions on the GA's electronic mailing list about the weather. "Partly cloudy" was the forecast for Wednesday. Whatever part of a cloud there might have been, I never saw it. As the plane came down, every detail of the city below stood out clearly, a city surrounded by mountains that still have paths of snow running down their sides.
All the hotels in the area of the convention center have airport shuttles. I had chosen Best Western, the only hotel in the registration packet with windows that open. Each year at GA I start my search for fresh air for the next GA, and it's getting harder and harder. The hotel where I'm staying has narrow balconies with doors opening upon them. The doors are all screwed shut, but upon a guest's request the screws are removed. Wonderful air, wonderful breeze––but miserable construction site right below.
A couple of blocks away the Mormon Church is building a meeting hall to seat 22,000 people. I don't know whether the hole below me is related to that construction. What they have now is pretty impressive. It's right across the street, so I wandered over, puzzled because the enormous sanctuary dominated by huge organ pipes was open to the public. I asked one of the ever-present and ever-cordial guides, because I know Mormon churches are not open to non-Mormons. She explained I was in the Tabernacle. Yes, that's where the famed choir sings.
Then there is the Family Search Center, otherwise known as a library. I had no luck finding my Jewish roots in Ukraine, but maybe tomorrow I'll give it more than a few minutes. The library is enormous, all four floors of it.
And speaking of large––the Convention Center and attached Salt Palace make up one amazing meeting place. It is cavernous. I don't know what it will be like tomorrow when the place is filled with several thousand of UUs, instead of the handful with pre-GA meetings. But in twelve years of GA I've never seen a facility this big. The GA office said this year's site has everything we need. We are going to be spoiled for future locations. I'm excited to see what's ahead of us.
Carol Agate is former President of the Pacific Southwest District and a member of the UU congregation located in Santa Monica, CA. She is a self-confirmed GA junkie.
