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Beloveds,

Our historic religious tradition continues to evolve to meet the needs of the moment and the demands of ministry in these deeply difficult times. It remains my honor to serve alongside many remarkable and dedicated UUA staff as, together, we find new ways to fulfill our mission and serve congregations and communities.

Our annual meeting of Unitarian Universalists, General Assembly, has been evolving in response to the context and needs of our wider world, most notably since we established a multiplatform format in 2020 to meet the health and safety demands created by the COVID-19 pandemic. After some experience alternating between online and onsite annual gatherings, your UUA Board of Trustees and executive leadership have received the feedback that there is a continued need to build and sustain community in creative ways during all virtual gatherings. 

We’ve learned how many more delegates can participate through virtual business meetings in General Session. We also know that the convenience and accessibility of the online format cannot fully replace the care, connection, discussion and shared experience that can make GA so powerful when we come together in community.  

Given the strain that our congregations and individual UUs face in the current political climate, when travel brings increased risks, your UUA Board has agreed to try a creative approach to gathering for General Assembly 2026. This new framework maintains safety, accessibility, and equity, and honors the reality that person-to-person connection remains important to our continued thriving.

General Assembly 2026: Together, Everywhere

Following the all-online business meeting June 14-16, there are six ways to take part in the second weekend’s program and worship portion of General Assembly this year. Choose what works best for you and your community:

1. Joining individually online and participating in live sessions as they happen in real time.

2. Attending a satellite site, where some select congregations have generously offered to host online GA programming.

3. Participating in a community gathering, perhaps a single watch party or a full weekend of online GA programming, or organize your own community gathering.

4. Attending as part of the studio audience on site at the Galt House in Louisville, KY, the location where worship and major GA moments are produced and shared with participants everywhere.

5. Exploring learning opportunities through live and on-demand programs in the EduCenter.

6. Combining approaches, joining some events live and watching other recordings later.

GA 2026 Program Shifts

To make this experimental model work, and in recognition of feedback we’ve received from many youth and religious professionals, we have decided to put the Service of the Living Tradition and Synergy Worship on hiatus until next year, at General Assembly 2027 in San Jose, California. At that time, we will honor professional transitions from 2025 through 2027, including ministers who received preliminary or full fellowship, colleagues who submitted retirement information, certified musicians, credentialed religious educators, and bridging youth.  

Knowing that grief does not wait nor abate amid change, we will, however, take care to honor the departed who have served our faith as a part of one of the main worship elements this year. We hold these passages with care and commitment as we journey together toward 2027 and on into the future.

As we gather “Together Everywhere” as our theme for GA this year, we hope this new format will reduce travel costs and environmental impacts, offer in-person connections, streamline production costs, and provide a more flexible schedule for participants. By experimenting with smaller, more localized gatherings, we can uphold the value of equity for GA participants around the country and production quality that supports the experience of online attendees. Please join us together everywhere as we find courage and strength in one another to build capacity and meet the moment.

Faithfully,

Sofia

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