Unitarian Meetings (the GA)

Every year, around Easter time, the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches holds its Annual Meetings to which delegates from congregations, fellowships, district associations and affiliated societies are invited. These meetings are commonly known as 'GA' within Unitarian circles.

Swansea 15th-18th April 2011

The new Annual Meetings Panel (Derek McAuley, Andrew Mason, Lis Dyson-Jones, Dot Hewerdine and James Barry) are working hard to ensure that the Unitarian Meetings for 2011, to be held Swansea, will be one to remember.

Site

In June they visited the venue. They were pleasantly surprised about many aspect of the University of Swansea's campus. The panel were very pleased with how compact and level the site was compared to some previous 'GA' locations, with all building (including the accommodation blocks) being a very short walk from the central building. They found the main dining hall was large enough for the social evening. Most break-out spaces are in the same building as the coffee and stalls areas and the GA bookshop.

On the accommodation front, most of the rooms at the University are en-suite, but there are a few which are not, enabling a budget option to be available.

Anniversary Service

The campus does not have a suitable space for the anniversary service. Rev Eric Jones suggested using the Brangwyn Hall as they did at the last GA in Swansea in 1964 and this is has now been booked. Seating up to a 1000 and with murals covering all the walls, it is a very impressive building.

Just before the service, and in order to give those attending the GA a flavour of Welsh singing, there will be an opportunity to take part in a singing festival similar to that held annually by congregations in the South Wales District Association. It is up to you whether or not you want to include the date of next years 'Gymanfa'!

Local Involvement

Local Unitarians are going to play a bigger part in the meetings than they have done in the last few years, with several supporting GA staff in helping delegates with any problem they may have. The volunteers will also have large banners give details on the next sessions and run a 'human bus' service from the coffee area to each of the location to help people find their way and to get there on time.  

Response to Feedback

Other small changes for next year's meetings, as a response to feedback, include having a 45 minute coffee break in the morning to give participants more time to look at the stalls. There will be some 'Church Officer' workshops to help Treasurers, Secretaries and Chairs with ideas, best practice and the most recent information and legislation.

Transport

With regard to transport, there are frequent buses from the central railway station to the door of the main University building and with trains from Birmingham and London taking just 3 hours, journeys are less onerous than the location might first suggest.