Celebrating Community and Tradition: The Story Behind Our Church's Banners

May 9

By Ed Busch

Have you taken notice of the banners adorning our Social Hall? These vibrant symbols were lovingly crafted by members of our church for the UUA General Assembly.

Banners have served as visual expressions of faith, history, and devotion for centuries, with origins tracing back at least 500 years. Initially utilized by early Christians to designate meeting places, they evolved into elaborate depictions of biblical scenes, saints, martyrs, and religious symbols during the medieval era.

The UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) Banner Parade has become a cherished tradition, marking the commencement of the UUA's General Assembly (GA). This parade offers congregations from all corners of the country a platform to showcase their distinctive banners, honoring their communities and traditions. But when did this tradition become a staple of the GA?

Formed in 1961 through the merger of the American Unitarian Association (established in 1825) and the Universalist Church of America (established in 1793), the UUA held its inaugural General Assembly in 1962 in Washington, D.C. This annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists features worship services, workshops, and business meetings.

While delving into the history of the GA banner parade, I reached out to the Harvard Divinity School Library, custodian of the UUA archives. Despite their exhaustive efforts, the exact origins remained elusive. However, meticulous research uncovered pivotal moments, such as the "ingathering feast" in 1972 and the formal display around the assembly hall in 1973. Notably, it wasn't until 1984 that the tradition truly flourished, with hundreds of congregations contributing banners to the GA and the opening ceremony parade.

This vibrant procession celebrates the diverse tapestry of congregations within the UUA, each represented by unique banners adorned with local symbols, colors, and designs. Serving as a festive preamble to the General Assembly, the parade captivates attendees with its visual splendor.

From 1984 to 2019, banner parades were a staple until the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the tradition in 2020. However, adaptations were made, with virtual parades in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, a Multi-Platform Banner Parade innovatively showcased banners both in-person and online, while the traditional procession returned in 2023.

Our own collection of banners reflects our church's journey through time. The oldest, dating back to GA 1985-1989, was crafted by Dot Hagens. Subsequent banners, including those from Janet Guinter (sun, rainbow and people) and Ann Mellon (trees and people), bear witness to our evolving community. The latest addition (2008), featuring the flaming chalice stained glass

artwork, is a testament to the dedication of our members, particularly Mae Hartman and Joanne Cameron, who imbued it with love and creativity. Joanne wrote, “Mae Hartman and I shared a love of quilting and became friends when she came to UUCGL. We had known one another briefly prior to that time, but she was overjoyed with our church membership. Mae worked diligently on the banner when it became obvious that our UUA delegation needed a new one for the procession at UUA. Her daughter helped her secure just the right fabrics, and I kept up the encouragement.”

I hope you enjoyed this journey into the history of the UUA GA banner parade and our banner. If you’d like to view some past banner parades, check out:

· 2019- https://www.uua.org/ga/past/2019/worship/opening beginning around the 6:35 mark.

· 2020- https://vimeo.com/433242162 a GA Banner Parade Flashback video was created for the virtual GA

· 2021 https://vimeo.com/564352328 a virtual banner parade

Do you have memories or photographs about the banner parade or our banners you’d like to share? Let me know at uucgl.archives@gmail.com .

Sources:

1. UU Lansing Archives

2. Email correspondence with Joanne Cameron

3. UUA website

4. Email correspondence with Gloria Korsman, Harvard Divinity School Library

5. A Journey Through the History of Church Banners website

Image Credits:

1. Banners displayed in social hall, by Ed Busch