There’s a first time for everything, and this was the time for the first ever online national UK Unitarians AGM, a prospect greeted by many with mixed feelings. On the one hand, we were missing out on a social time valued by many, in which the chance to connect with other Unitarians, see what the societies are up to, catch up with old friends and even see someone in a purple dinosaur costume wandering up to the bar[1] is always appreciated. On the other hand, this would take only a day, and we had the luxury of joining from our own homes, drinking our own coffee without the Hilton’s bar prices, and sitting in our pyjamas if we so chose. (I’m happy to report that most people didn’t take that option, including me, I hasten to add.)

I attended as Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians’ voting delegate. We’d had a meeting on 18^th April and some discussions by email about which four of the six motions we wanted to see discussed and voted on by the General Assembly[2]. We’d said that we wanted to see the following motions discussed: climate change and divesting fossil fuels investment (Cardiff Unitarians), Unitarian Youth Programme (Stockton Unitarians), transgender rights (FOY Society), and developing a leadership Code of Ethics (Findhorn Unitarian Network).

Three of these went forward: climate change divestment, Unitarian Youth Programme, and developing a leadership Code of Ethics. The fourth one discussed was supporting the Red Code Interfaith fund (London District & Provincial Assembly (LDPR), the Unitarian Peace Fellowship, and Twelve Full Members).

Sessions at the national AGM opened with devotions from a minister, then discussing a motion, report or action for the GA to take, followed by an online vote. Delegates had pre-registered and been sent information about how to use the online voting system run by Popularis, which generally worked very well, albeit with a few minor technical hitches.

In Session 1, we voted on the four motions to discuss, saw the Annual Report and Accounts presented by Liz Slade, the GA Chief Officer, who also commented on the recent redesign of the national website. She observed that it had been designed to appeal to people who are new to Unitarianism, rather than catering primarily for existing members, and that developing it was an ongoing process and feedback on it is welcome via the contact forms on the website. President Rev. Celia Cartwright thanked retiring ministers and welcomed new ministers.

Session 2 saw us debate the Leadership – Code of Ethics motion: “That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches requests the Executive Committee (EC) to prepare and present a Code of Ethics for consideration by the 2022 Annual Meetings. This Code would be applicable to all who are recognised on the Roll of Ministers and Lay Pastors, to the GA Roll of Lay Leaders, and to those employed by the General Assembly. Once the code is adopted, the EC is further asked to consider recommending adoption of the Code by all Congregations, Affiliated Societies and Districts.” This was fiercely debated, with strong views about whether it would prevent bullying and provide guidance, but also concern about ‘control from the centre’ and the difficulty of defining a workable code. I spoke from a neutral perspective, emphasising that it is a proposal to develop a Code of Ethics, and that all congregations, districts, societies and fellowships are invited to get involved. The motion was approved.

Session 2 also saw us debate the Leadership – Code of Ethics motion:

“That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches requests the Executive Committee (EC) to prepare and present a Code of Ethics for consideration by the 2022 Annual Meetings. This Code would be applicable to all who are recognised on the Roll of Ministers and Lay Pastors, to the GA Roll of Lay Leaders, and to those employed by the General Assembly. Once the code is adopted, the EC is further asked to consider recommending adoption of the Code by all Congregations, Affiliated Societies and Districts.”

This was fiercely debated, with strong views about whether it would prevent bullying and provide guidance, but also concern about ‘control from the centre’ and the difficulty of defining a workable code. I spoke from a neutral perspective, emphasising that it is a proposal to develop a Code of Ethics, and that all congregations, districts, societies and fellowships are invited to get involved. The motion was approved.

Session 3 saw the discussion of the Ministers’ Stipend Review report, led by the GA Treasurer, and the handover to the new Executive Committee following the recent EC elections. We also discussed the Unitarian Youth Programme and Climate Change divestment motions. The Climate Change motion:

“That this General Assembly …mindful of the climate crisis, and of its object to ‘promote… the service of humanity and respect for all creation’, requests that the Executive Committee not invest General Assembly funds in companies whose total turnover is more than 10% derived from the extraction and/or supply of fossil fuels, including thermal coal, natural gas and oil; complete the divestment required to fulfil this decision by the time of the General Assembly Annual Meetings in 2025 at the latest; [and] strongly encourage and support all Unitarian congregations and funds to do the same”

was widely – thought not unanimously – supported, and was passed to general acclaim. Next, there was some discussion of the Unitarian Youth Programme motion:

“This General Assembly… reaffirms its strong support for an inspiring and innovative Unitarian Youth Programme for young Unitarians in the United Kingdom; recognises that a thorough review of the Programme will be necessary ‘post-pandemic’, in full consultation with churches, districts, previous participants and other interested parties; commends the work the Youth Officer, Gavin Howell, is carrying out to explore new ways of linking Young Unitarians together in the modern world; and urges the Executive Committee to ensure that a programme of Youth events at the Nightingale Centre is put in place as soon as permitted by Covid-19 regulations, with particular emphasis on provision for 7 to 11 year olds, which has been the much-valued bedrock of the Unitarian Youth programme for over 50 years.”

I spoke for it, expressing our gratitude as a congregation for the support and advice given to us about supporting Unitarian young people by Gavin Howell (Unitarian Youth and Safeguarding Officer) and the need for innovative youth work in an era when the ‘every congregation has a Sunday school’ assumption has gone. There was debate over how involved young people themselves, and their parents and carers, had been in creating and supporting the motion, and about why it specifically mentions the 7-11 age group weekends at the Nightingale Centre at Great Hucklow. Nevertheless, the motion was passed.

Our final session, session 4, opened with words from Rev. Stephanie Bisby, and then the discussion of the final motion on support for the Red Cross Interfaith fund:

“That this General Assembly …welcomes the foundation of the interfaith Red Cross Memorial Peace Appeal in aid of the Global Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, the Yemen Crisis Appeal and other urgent humanitarian and medical appeals… and, as one immediate and direct way to be a force for good in the world, urges Unitarian congregations, Districts and individuals to support this interfaith initiative.”

This was widely supported, with many speakers passionately arguing for the need for action to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and the motion was approved. After discussing the administrative motions (approved) Rev. Celia Cartwright handed over the Presidency of the General Assembly to Anne Mills, with some moving words about how much the past two years have meant to her. We congratulate Anne Mills on becoming President, and Rev. Sue Woolley on becoming Vice-President. Anne’s first act as President was to lead the closing devotions.

So, after a long day, much to think about! As a congregation, Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians will think about the implications of the four motions for us, and consider what action we want to take on them. All suggestions welcome!

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[1] This actually happened in 2018, when the Unitarian GA shared conference space at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel with Kitacon, the UK’s largest Anime and Geek Culture festival. In my opinion, many meetings could be improved by the possibility of having a purple dinosaur accompanied by three people in sailor outfits wandering past the door at any moment.

[2] The ‘General Assembly’ is the national UK Unitarian movement of Unitarians and Free Christians. The term ‘General Assembly’ is also often applied to the annual national meetings, as it’s only on this occasion that the national movement makes decisions as a whole.