GA 2007 Debriefing

>>> I saw a bumper sticker that said "www.uua.org"  - I'll bet we could make bumper stickers for our own website too.  Martha Osgood

>>> The phrases "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice" and government of the people, by the people and for the people," which I had always attributed to Martin Luther King and Lincoln, were actually first written by 19th century Unitarian minister and abolitionist, Theodore Parker.  Gil Osgood

>>> Stories in the Oregonian about GA
http://tinyurl.com/yub8wo
http://tinyurl.com/yveojh

>>>The experience of the Atkinson congregation when police arrested a highly respected and loved church member as a sexual predator (he pled guilty and is serving 18 years) was insightful and useful.  My notes will be submitted to the Board and to the office.  Martha Osgood

>>>The Robert Fulghum presentation can be watched for free on Windows Media or Real Video by going to this page and clicking on the appropriate link
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/27648.shtml

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>>>Hi, all - got back from G.A. yesterday afternoon, and am beginning the process of digesting all of the many and varied experiences I had there.  I thought one of the best ways to describe it to you would just be WORDS, which I wrote down in my notebook after one talk.  Since email doesn't allow spreading them across the page, as I did, I'll just give you some of them.

• Encompassing • Connecting • Opening • Being part of the bigger whole • Learning • Awakening • New understanding • Painful Awareness • Anger, frustration, impotence • Sleepiness • Feeling stifled in crowds • Finding restful place • Solace with friends • Laughter • Kitty comfort • Taking time out when overwhelmed • Powerful decision-making • Wonderful singing • Joyous  • Prayerful •

>>>So many different experiences, so many feelings and thoughts.  I can't tell you how glad I am, that I went, and that I was a delegate from this church.  Being a delegate alone was amazing - Ginny Courtier is in my book the best moderator I've ever seen!  Truly this was "democracy in action," and it was so good to be a part of that.  Also, immediately, I realized I was at last fully planting BOTH FEET in the UU Church, as a whole, not just in our own church, which is where I'd been before - kind of 1 1/2 feet, I think.  Anyway, hope this helps to let you know some things about it.  We who went decided we needed to meet, soon after return, if we can find a time and place, and talk about how best to bring back to the whole church, some of the important issues covered - so you'll be hearing more!  Best, Amy

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>>>One of the seminars at GA was about an Oregon UU church which had experienced in the past 18 months a child sex abuser in their midst. He had apparently been abusing his own adopted son for several years, as well as two of his son's friends, though no child, apparently, at the church. Some of their experience and advice is reported in notes by Martha Osgood.