Something For the Moment 

• Exploring Veterans Administration Chaplaincy: Working as a staff chaplain in the Veterans Administration system is a wonderful opportunity for UU clergy. Come, learn all about VA chaplaincy! Click on the date to register: Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 7-8:15pm ET/ 6-7:15pm CT/5-6:15pm MT/ 4-5:15pm PT/ 1-2:15pm HT

• Spread the Word! UUMA Job Posting: The UUMA is looking for a Lifelong Learning Manager to join us in reimagining how we  support our programs! Click here and select the “Job Opportunities” tab to learn more. Help us widen the circle of candidates by sharing this in your social networks.

• ‘Tis the Season for Chapter Retreats: Be sure to let us know when your chapter is gathering so we can have it on our calendar. We encourage looking at what chapters are offering for their retreats to see the range of possibilities for building collegial connections, nurturing your spirit, and expanding your ministry. Click here to request an event be added to the calendar. 

Something for the Journey
Janette Lallier, UUMA Director of Operations and Finance

By now you have read of the UUMA’s staff transition. Now that we have taken the time to say thank you to our departing staff and celebrate their time with us, we are turning our attention to what comes next. As we revisit our structure I have been thinking alot about how the new staff team can function at its best – enter the Alban newsletter. Last week’s edition has some great resources to help “design a team that works.” If you are looking for ways to help your team thrive, I highly recommend the articles.  And if, like me, you have a “get to this later” folder, here is a summary of one of those resources I found particularly helpful as I think about how our virtual staff team, that has become a little siloed, might reimagine how we work together.  From 5 Disciplines of Teams that Thrive:

1. Focus on purpose: Great teams pursue a shared purpose that prioritizes making decisions together.

2. Leverage differences in team membership: Great teams pursue diversity in personality, background, and perspective rather than democracy or uniformity.

3. Rely on inspiration more than control to lead: Outstanding teams prioritize leadership through relationship-based inspiration rather than role-based giving of directives. 

4. Intentionally structure your decision-making process: While mediocre leadership teams make decisions in an unstructured, haphazard manner, exceptional leadership teams utilize a carefully outlined process when making decisions.

5. Build a culture of continuous collaboration: Exceptional teams meet with intentionality, utilize collaboratively developed agendas, and work together continuously to make the most of meetings. (Read the full article by Ryan T. Hartwig and Warren Bird here)

I am excited to reimagine how, and how often, our team meets and how we might adjust our structures of supervision and support to help us all thrive.  And while we find our new team mate, we are a bit like a car that needs a few new tires. We are working hard to move forward but find everything moving at a slower pace. We thank you for your patience – especially during the week of March 25th when much of our remaining staff will be out of the office. And, if you know of someone who would enjoy being on the next UUMA dream team – please share our job posting! 

Something Extra

• Limited UUMA Staff March 25-29: Several UUMA Staff will be away from the office during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. We appreciate your patience during this time.

• Community Ministers Retreat: You can still register for the community ministers chapter retreat and receive the link to the video and resources from the first Pre-Retreat. For more information about the retreat series and to register, click here.

• UU Professional Organizations Events – Save the Dates: Help spread the word to religious professionals in your circles about these upcoming professional gatherings:

  –  UU Association of Membership Professionals: April 17-18, Naperville, IL 
  –  Association of UU Administrators: June 13, Virtual 
  –  Association of UU Music Ministries: July 31-August 4, Albuquerque
  –   Liberal Religious Educators Association: November 6-10, Virtual

Something for Formation

We want to draw your attention to the very important letter sent this week from the Ministerial Fellowship Committee Co-Chairs Rev. Dr. Rebekah Savage and Rev. Amanda Poppei.  This communication highlights some of the significant changes in the MFC’s work including descriptions of the “new categories” for MFC visits as well as announcing news about the revised process for Preliminary Fellowship Renewals, and the new approach to the reading list.  

Check your email (or spam folder) for the 3/12/24 notice from the Rev. Cecilia Kingman, Executive Secretary, MFC and Deputy Director, Ministries and Faith Development for the UUA. The data about our community is especially important for all of us who supervise and mentor colleagues at all stages of our vocational life. 

Although the MFC won’t be able to individually answer every question from our thousand+ colleagues, they do read all questions and feedback sent to mfc@uua.org and “seek especially to stay in accountable relationship with collegial groups that serve colleagues with historically marginalized identities.”