Learnings, Musings, Observations of General Assembly by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager
I embarked on my first General Assembly experience in June full of anticipation mixed with a little intimidation. It was awesome to be gathered in Columbus, Ohio with 3,800 UUs celebrating this tradition through worship, learning together in workshops, and dialoguing over important issues. Thank you UUCV for making it possible for me to experience this expansive and broadening event.
It was great to share this experience with UUCV members: Vel Akseven, Tanner Akseven, and Jim and Kitty Merrill. I have a notebook full of ideas, thoughts and hopes. The subjects range from Membership to Sabbath. I am just beginning to let these nuggets unfold.
So, for now, I share with you a few random gleanings:
- Some people research (mostly on-line) Unitarian Universalism and local churches up to 6 months or a year, before making their first visit to a church. (Membership Professional Day workshop)
- The truths from our past religious experiences may no longer hold true. When not healed these become like heavy baggage that weighs us down.
- “UU World” special edition – fresh off the press – is for seekers and is an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. The editor solicited specific feedback from the membership professionals.
- When resolving conflict, search for and disclose hidden assumptions. (Conflict Resolution workshop)
- Debate is about being right, it is combative, it is the defending of assumptions and one listens only to defend position.
- Dialogue is collaborative, the goal is to find common ground, assumptions are brought up for observation and one listens to understand.
- Sabbath is about stepping outside of social and economic systems to gain independence from those systems and connect with our higher power, deepest self, community and family. (Sabbath workshop)
- Stewardship previously meant “to save and protect.” Now it must be about investing spending that brings about impact. (Interfaith Perspectives on Stewardship workshop)
- The reason people contribute to non-profits: Belief in the mission, trust in the leadership and fiscal responsibility.
- “Voices of Humanism” edited by Gary Bauslaugh released in Fall 2016. This is a collection of writings that demonstrates humanistic thinking — independent, compassionate, rational and constructive explorations of various matters of human importance. (Humanism workshop)
- Mind truth as best we can, and let it be the compass for the way we walk through change. (Krista Tippett, “On Being” host)
- Our lives are raw material for wisdom if we are honest.
—- and so much more.
One highlight for me was the Membership Professional Day attended by 30 membership professionals. The networking was invaluable and my resource cache has multiplied. I have a deeper appreciation of the way we do church at UUCV, and the commitment level of our Membership Committee. There is much to live into.
Committed to Growth, Beverly