August 9, 2024

Something For the Moment  

• Have you moved recently? We know this is a time of year when many of our members move. Make sure you update your profile (consider adding your photo) and change your chapter by visiting our Groups page and joining or leaving the chapters you want to. Questions about your chapter membership or need help? Please email Program Administrator, Jan Taddeo. 

• Additional Resources for those in transition: 
  • If you are transitioning to employment at a different congregation or organization this summer/fall, please read this important information about your UU Retirement Plan account: UUORP Transitions Instructions for UUMA.
  • The UUA Office of Church Staff Finance’s August Newsletter is full of resources and reminders for those with new employees and those transitioning. If you missed it you can find it here. 

Something for the Journey
from Janette M. Lallier, Director of Operations and Finance

August can be a time of transition for many: from something as seemingly simple as starting a new skill or making a lifestyle change to things a bit more consuming such as moving to a new home, starting in a new position or school, or beginning a new time of retirement. Transitions take patience and fortitude and are most successful when we have support.

Because we need one another, the UUMA is here in your transition and always:

• Chapters & Groups: If your ministry is on the move, please be in touch with your new chapter to connect with your local colleagues.
• Coaching: Transitions always require new skills, call on a coach for support!
• Financial Support: Transitions can be an expensive time. Finances should never be a barrier to participation! From program scholarships and membership dues waivers to assistance with other funding to help sustain your ministry – let your colleagues help!
• Lifelong Learning Resources: From help determining the direction of your continuing education to collegial conversations and curated resources, the UUMA is your source for lifelong learning. Let us know what resources can help you!
• Mentoring: We are committed to supporting one another through the lifespan of our ministries. In partnership with the UUA, we are looking forward to focusing more on mentoring this year. Stay tuned!
• Ministerial Formation Network: A collaborative program with the UUA designed to support aspirants and candidates for the Ministry.
• The Ministry of Good Offices: From Contract & Call Support to Right Relationship, the Ministry of Good Offices provides support during all the tricky beginning, middles, and endings… call early and call often! 

Something Extra

• Learning to Support Colleagues Whose Lives are Touched by Addiction, Part 2
  August 29, 12-1:30pm ET/ 11am-12:30pm CT/ 10-11:30am MT/ 9-10:30am PT
  Lane-Mairead Campbell and Nathan Detering are offering a part two to the training they led earlier this spring. We will hold a reflection and engagement session for those who watch the recording and want to reflect on their learning with colleagues on September 19, 2024 for 45 minutes at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT/ 6pm MT/ 5pm PT. Click here to register for the September 19 reflection and engagement session.
   
• Taxes and Benefits for Community Ministers
  Monday, September 16, 8-9pm ET/ 7-8pm CT/ 6-7pm MT/ 5-6pm PT
  Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Alex McGee will share the newly published UUMA packet of facts and tips about where chaplains and other community ministers are eligible for housing allowance, clergy tax benefits through your employer, managing your tax payments, and retirement considerations. They will also share ideas for advocating to attend UUMA continuing education and growing your organizational impact. Our ministries matter, and this information will help yours be seen and valued.
   
• Conversation About Contract Ministries
  September 19, 12-1pm ET/ 11am-12pm CT/ 10-11am MT/ 9-10am PT
  If you have been wondering about why there seem to be more Contract Ministries available in recent years, this conversation is for you.  We’ll talk about what has been changing, what our UUA Transitions Staff has been learning, and how they are responding to shifting dynamics. There will be time for Q&A. Melissa Carvill Ziemer will host (and we will record and post for those unable to attend live).   
   
• All Things International Collegial Conversation
  Wednesday, September 25, 12-1pm ET/ 11am-12pm CT/10-11am MT/ 9-10am PT
  Melissa Carvill Ziemer and Janette Lallier will host Alicia Forde, the UUA’s Director of Global Connections and Emerging Communities, and Morgan McLean, the UUA’s Global Connections Program Manager, who will share important updates about global partnerships, new approaches, and the emerging global network.  We’ll also share about the UUMA’s global connections and have lots of time for your questions.  
   
• Meadville LIGHT Certificate in Non-Profit Management:
  The Certificate in Non-profit Management for Religious Professionals and Faith-based Leaders is for early to mid-stage professionals working in faith-based organizations, congregations, and community ministries. This certificate equips learners with both practical skills and theoretical resources to effectively steward their organization and ministry, including how to operate an organization, supervise staff, and manage volunteers; how to develop financial tools and budgets; strategy and planning; program development and evaluation; board development; and forecasting and risk assessment. Click here to learn more. The UUMA is happy to amplify this opportunity to meet the Continuing Education Standards. 

Something for Formation

Starting a New Year
September 4, 7-8pm ET/ 6-7pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT
To kick off another academic year, the UUMA Ministerial Formation Network will host a time of connection and conversation on the theme of “Starting a New Year” with the Rev. Beth Monhollen. Beth’s path to ministry includes time as a student advisor and higher ed administrator who navigated a path to UU leadership, discerning through parish and chaplaincy opportunities along the way. A graduate of Meadville Lombard, Beth is now settled as the minister at UU Church of Urbana-Champaign since 2023. 

New and returning Candidate and Aspirant members will have the chance to learn about Discernment Groups and begin to apply for 1:1 vocational advisor at the end of the session.