Unitarian Universalist Association
Wildflower Church is part of the Unitarian Universalist Association, an association of over 1,000 UU congregations worldwide. We pay dues to the association each year and strive to contribute our Fair Share to the Annual Program Fund. We are also a member of the Southern Region.
Members of UU churches gather annually at General Assembly to conduct the business of the association, learn about UU opportunities, worship together, and make meaningful personal connections. Each church is permitted to send a certain number of delegates to General Assembly to vote in the elections. Beyond the delegates, anyone else is permitted to attend. General Assembly was all virtual in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, it is scheduled to be in Portland, Oregon, as a multi-platform in-person and virtual event.
Widening the Circle of Concern
At the 2017 General Assembly, the Commission on Institutional Change was established and charged to conduct an audit of white privilege and the structure of power within Unitarian Universalism, and analyze structural racism and white supremacy culture within the UUA. The Commission was in place for three years and presented its report, Widening the Circle of Concern, at the 2020 General Assembly. The report covers theology, governance, education, hospitality, reparations, and more. A guide is available for congregations interested in creating study groups of the report.
Article II Study Commission
Article II of the UUA Bylaws contains the Seven Principles, among other things. The Article II Study Commission was appointed at the 2020 General Assembly to complete a review of the Principles and Purposes. This process is outlined within the bylaws and is required every 15 years. A guide is available for congregations interested in talking about UU values in small groups. Additionally, the Commission welcomes input from all UU’s at changemanager@uua.org. The Commission’s proposed changes must be submitted to the UUA Board of Trustees in January 2023, so that they may be considered by the Board and then be placed on the 2023 General Assembly Business Agenda for the first vote.
Statements of Conscience and Actions of Immediate Witness
At some General Assemblies, UU’s vote on Congregational Study/Action Issues — issues which are then set for four years of study, reflection, and action. After four years, a Statement of Conscience is developed which is then voted on at General Assembly. Some recent Statements of Conscience include the following:
Undoing Systemic White Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action (2021)
Our Democracy Uncorrupted (2019)
Reproductive Justice (2015)
Immigration as a Moral Issue (2013)
Actions of Immediate Witness are generally more urgent items, and a maximum of three may be voted out at each General Assembly. Some recent Actions of Immediate Witness include the following:
Stop Voter Suppression and Partner for Voting Rights and a Multiracial
Democracy (2021)
Defend and Advocate with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex
Communities (2021)
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing. Courage. (2021)
400 Years of White Supremacist Colonialism (2020)
Amen to Uprising (2020)
Build the Movement for a Green New Deal (2019)
Support Our First Amendment Right to Boycott on behalf of Palestinian Rights (2019)
Protect the Rights of Immigrants and Asylum Seekers (2019)
All past Statements of Conscience and Actions of Immediate Witness may be found here.
Ware Lectures
Each year at General Assembly, a distinguished guest gives a presentation. The speeches are known for being wonderful and are a highlight of the week. Past speakers include Stacey Abrams & Desmond Meade, Naomi Klein, Bryan Stevenson, Krista Tippett, and more. Ware Lectures can be found here.
Getting involved
There are many UU groups and Committees to get involved with. Check them out and find a good fit for you!
UU Ministry for the Earth — led by Wildflower’s own Aly Tharp!
Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)
UU’s for Justice in the Middle East
UU’s for a Just Economic Community
UU Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RISE)
Coalition of UU State Action Networks
UU History and Heritage Society
UU Small Group Ministry Network