General Assembly 2023: Hybrid Portland, Pittsburgh, PA/ Zoom. Are you interested in attending?
General Assembly 2023
Hybrid: Pittsburgh, PA / Zoom
June 21 - 25, 2023
What is General Assembly?
General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and/or online for this 5-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our bustling exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who attend. Meet us online or in Pittsburgh and you’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with your congregation and community-at-large!
Are you interested in attending GA this year?
GNUUC will pay the registration fees for its 2 voting delegates. Plus, members can apply to the Larry Romans Leadership Fund for assistance with registration fees if they are not a delegate and are interested in attending.
If you are interested in attending, fill out this form:
Registration and Housing
Registration is available at UUA.org/GA. Register before March 1 for the lowest rate. Rates will increase on March 1 and again on May 15.
There are those who may find it more manageable to spread out their GA registration fee in smaller, periodic installments rather than one lump sum. When you register you many now choose to pay with a payment plan option to spread out your payments over several months. Registration can be paid in installments, with as little as $50 down.
The UUA General Assembly (GA) Housing Reservation System offers attendees premium amenities, discounted rates, and the best networking opportunities. Booking in the hotel block assists the UUA in effectively controlling meeting space, attrition, and penalty fees; all of which directly benefit you and the future of General Assembly. Additionally, the UUA is able to negotiate on behalf of our block of attendees for sustainability and accessibilities requirements.
FAITHIFY has a proven record of helping people get to General Assembly. Crowdfunding is a democratic, grass roots, and increasingly common tool to fund GA travel and registration expenses. When we contribute to a GA scholarship campaign, we welcome more people to be full participants in the largest gathering of our faith community. Get inspired at FAITHIFY.org.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and is home to some of the more beautiful American bridges. Pittsburgh is affordable, has temperate summers, and is known for its friendly and sincere residents. The city is home to many cultural attractions including the Carnegie Museums and Library, the Andy Warhol Museum, and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Once the epitome of American industrial power, Pittsburgh has recently seen new waves of changes that have turned it into a vibrant destination for visitors. Hop on the Duquesne Incline to get to the top of Mount Washington, or visit the Senator John Heinz History Center's exhibitions on the city’s history, its baseball and football legacies, and Heinz products.
Excellent Programming
GA will offer dozens of outstanding programming selections (workshops, panel discussions, worship services, and other presentations) over the course of five days. Programs will provide attendees with concrete and usable tools to further the work, and the balance needed to explore multiple identity-based and theological perspectives. The theme for General Assembly 2023 is "Faithfully Becoming."
Like Unitarian Universalism, GA offers a wealth of theological diversity. A variety of worship choices are offered throughout GA. The Service of the Living Tradition is where we commemorate fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders, those who have died, those who have completed active service, and welcome those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. Sunday Morning Worship at GA is a powerful, communal worship experience and is the largest annual gathering of UUs in Worship.
Each year a distinguished guest speaker is invited to address the General Assembly as the Ware Lecturer. Recent lecturers have included Stacey Abrams, Bryan Stevenson, and Cornel West. The 2023 Ware Lecturer will be announced soon.
Financial Support Available
The UUA is committed to the goal of making GA accessible to as many attendees as possible. Go to UUA.org/GA to learn about scholarships to support delegates - particularly those from marginalized groups - and volunteer opportunities (work in exchange for registration).
Congregational Participation from Off-site
The votes that GA delegates cast have a huge impact on Unitarian Universalism. They determine our elected leaders, amend the bylaws and rules that govern our Association, and shape the justice work that we do as a movement. If you are interested in serving as a delegate from your congregation, talk to your minister or your congregation’s governing body.
Technology provides opportunities to connect on-site participants with those who participate from off-site. GA has transformed into a multiplatform meeting—incorporating off-site participation, live-streaming of events, and a dynamic event app to create an interactive experience for in-person and virtual attendees.
Accessibility
The UUA is committed to addressing the inclusion of all people, whatever their abilities might be, in all GA activities. Beyond the physical accessibility of the facilities we use—ramps, captioning, seating cut-outs, etc.—we endeavor to take the next step: to truly welcome people with disabilities into every facet of GA.
Children
All children are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians. Children who have not yet entered high school (or its equivalent) are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians at no cost but are still required to register. For parents who need child care, Children’s Programs are available Thursday, Friday and Saturday during GA. Register for Children’s Programs at UUA.org/GA.
Youth
Attending the annual General Assembly as a high school aged youth (grades 9-12 in the preceding school year, or the equivalent for home-schooled youth) is an incredible experience. Not only do you get to worship, witness, learn and connect in a multigenerational continental community, you can get to know hundreds of other youth and participate in making an impact on the Association through the democratic process.
Additional Materials
Information for first-timers