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Nearly 100 people crowded a room Thursday afternoon for a GA mini-assembly to consider a proposed Statement of Conscience on Reproductive Justice. It was an opportunity for participants to discuss the statement (available on page 95 of the final agenda) and for delegates to propose and submit amendments to the text.
When asked, about half of the group said they have been discussing reproductive justice in their congregations since 2012, when GA delegates in Phoenix, Arizona, chose the topic as the 2012-2016 Congregational Study/Action Issue.
The group broke first into three large subgroups to review the document’s introduction and sections on history and theological grounding. The groups engaged in enthusiastic discussion of everything from grammar and clarity to the intent behind and inclusiveness of the language.
After a short break, a significantly smaller but dedicated group of about 45 people reconvened and broke into four subgroups to discuss the Actions portion of the Statement of Conscience. This section proposes actions that congregations, individuals, and the UUA can take on reproductive justice, as well as actions we can take in our relationships.
Dr. Susan Goekler, chair of the Commission on Social Witness (CSW), praised the “richness of conversation” during the mini-assembly. She said the CSW will meet tonight to incorporate the smaller changes but will likely include substantive changes as unincorporated amendments to be considered by the larger General Assembly. The revised document will be available in print at General Session III, Friday morning, when delegates will debate and vote on the Statement of Conscience.