Come Hear TWO

Inspirational Keynote Speakers!

Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk and Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez

to speak at the 2026 PSW annual assembly!

Save The Date for the Pacific Southwest Assembly, April 24 – 26, 2026,

at the Rancho Palos Verdes, Pacific Unitarian Church campus.

In the spirit of the former district assembly, we invite UUs  and affiliated people to join in our  Blue Sapphire reflection — 65 years of UU history, with a look ahead as we strive for Justice. In the pursuit of justice for all, let’s learn from history and blend our voices with our every-current arc toward Justice. The assembly is a unique creation of workshops, music, and keynote speakers, and we invite you to provide event planners with your ideas and suggestions for workshops and activities.

Our annual assembly brings together UU’s and affiliates from the 50 churches located in the Pacific Southwest who once were tethered together under the Pacific Southwest District umbrella. Like the assemblies of yesteryear, congregational representatives participate in meaningful exchanges and exciting workshops. The keynote speakers carry the theme and stimulate deep conversations. Church leaders meet on Friday for the Leadership Luncheon and program at noon. Sunday concludes with an exuberant worship and choir service.

Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, Schulman Chair of UU History at Meadville Lombard Theological School, will speak Friday evening.  The keynote topic will briefly touch on 65 years of UU history and then highlight a look ahead as we strive for Justice.  UU’s have moved a lot of social issues forward over the last 65 years, but there is still much work to be done to get it right.  Rev. Dr. Kirk recently spoke at the UUA GA in June 2025 where enthusiasm was high.

Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez, Executive Director of CLUE, will be our Saturday morning keynote speaker.  She will speak on CLUE’s programming and provide an overview into nonviolent resistance to authoritarianism.  CLUE has been very active in 2025 providing a clergy presence at deportation hearings.  Rev. Gutierrez brings a deep understanding of labor and economic justice as well as the immigration issues facing our communities.

Mark Your Calendar!

Pacific Southwest Assembly

Friday, April 24 to Sunday April 26, 2026

More programming information to follow.  Create a placeholder on your calendar, April 24 – 26, 2026, and plan to be a part of this historic event.  Together, let’s celebrate 65 years of UU history and involvement in social change!  Every church can have representation in person and/or on Zoom.

Dale Botts,

Pacific Southwest Assembly planning chair

For more information and to provide your ideas, contact Dale Botts: dale.botts2@gmail.com, 714.686.2791

(he/him)

Our thanks to our planning committee members:

Pastor Joshua Berg — PUC

Melissa Garcia — PUC

Janet Kissner — PUC

Dale Botts — Chair–Assembly Committee, Fullerton UU

Pat Gordon — First UU San Diego

Janet James — Camp Executive Director

Antoinette Scully — First UU Los Angeles & UUJMCA

Jim Merrill — Ventura UU

Laura Lunn — Camping Ministries Director

Laura Chamberlin — PSW Assembly Registrar

And thanks to De Benneville Pines staff members for providing support services in their role as event sponsor.

Camp de Benneville Pines is a proud sponsor of an assembly that strives to bring UUs together in community to share, learn and grow. To read more about camp, click here.