Something for the Moment

Interested in Becoming a Good Offices Person? We are now accepting applications from members who are interested in supporting colleagues through our brand new Good Offices Care Team or by joining our ongoing Dedicated Good Offices Team. Not the right time for you? Please encourage a colleague you think well suited to this work to apply. Click on either team to learn more and find the links to apply.

Seeking Acting Bookkeeper: The UUMA is currently seeking proposals to engage an acting bookkeeper or bookkeeping solution. Click here for details and the request for proposals. We hope to have an agreement in place by October 1, 2024. Please share in all your networks!

Job Level Rubric Feedback Conversation: The UUA often asks for feedback when revising documents. In October the Office of Church Staff Finance will convene their Advisory Team to talk about their Job Level Rubric in preparation of their annual review and adjustments of the salary program materials. If you have used the UUA’s Job Level Rubric in your congregational setting we’re particularly interested in your feedback! Join Janette Lallier on Thursday, September 26 4-5 ET / 3-4 CT / 2-3 MT / 1-2 PT or share your experiences here.

Something for The Journey

At the kick off for the Ministerial Formation Network, the Rev. Beth Monhollen offered some great advice for getting started with a new year (in learning, ministry and life!). Among the gems I collected:

1. Practice compassion and grace (for yourself and others)
2. Stay authentic (be yourself, honor your values, show up as YOU) 
3. Reach out! reach OUT! REACH OUT!

A 4th bit of advice I’m holding is: stay discerning. We can’t do all of the things, but with attention to our own needs/capacities and interests, there are many ways to connect to collegial care and community. And while there may be realities that shift from season to season, semester to semester and year to year, collegial support through your UUMA is constant! The UUMA, specifically the MFN is here to be of support to you who are preparing for vocations in Unitarian Universalist leadership. (note: We’re always needing  Vocational Advisors and folks in fellowship with at least one renewal can join our Mentor Database) 

I invite you to reach out to me directly with ideas and needs. Let me know when there’s too much to sift through – or not enough that is of value to you. Reach out if you need a resource or referral along the way. I may not have a quick or easy answer, but I am a strong proponent of our interconnected web and can usually help find a link to the next discovery. I want to draw your attention to the ongoing registration for the UU Wellspring Seminarian Program and our 3 hour MFN Mini-Retreats – REGISTER NOW. We’re also pleased to announce our next Formation Conversation on the theme of Becoming A Colleague with Ned Wight and Nell Newton on Tuesday – October 1 – 7pm east, 6pm central, 5pm mountain, 4pm pacific SIGN UP TODAY

As the Ministerial Fellowship Committee meets next week to do the important work of credentialing for our Association, we look forward to welcoming colleagues into preliminary fellowship and offering resources and support along the way. If you are scheduled for your appointment or supporting someone, we have arranged with the Ministerial Credentialing Office so that you will be provided a care coordinator/MFC chaplain who will be available to offer pastoral support. Request support through email here. 

Something for Learning
From Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Lifelong Learning Manager

Let’s talk some more about lifelong learning! (An invitation to talk with Julica about your continuing education needs.)

Over the summer, I hosted a couple of conversations to give you the chance to talk about lifelong learning needs; they were so good, I’m doing more! These next opportunities are targeted to different ministerial settings – if you don’t see yours and would like me to host another group, please do drop me a line. Please click on your group to register:

• Community Ministers Serving Non-Profit Organizations – Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/5pm PT
• Entrepreneurial Ministers – Thursday, Oct. 10 at 4pm ET/3pm CT/2pm MT/1pm PT
• Solo Parish Ministers in Mid-Size Congregations – Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 2pm ET/1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT
• Parish Ministers Serving Small Congregations – Friday, Oct. 25 at 3pm ET/2pm CT/1pm MT/12pm PT
• Chaplains – Monday, Oct. 28 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/5pm PT
• Senior Parish Ministers Serving Large Congregations – Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 2pm ET/1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT
• Associate and Assistant Parish Ministers – Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1pm ET/12pm CT/11am MT/10am PT
• Colleagues Serving the UUA – Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 3pm ET/2pm CT/1pm MT/12pm PT
• Transitional/Developmental Parish Ministers –  Friday, November 1 at 4pm ET/3pm CT/2pm MT/1pm PT

Something Extra

Obituary Procedure Update: The UUMA Executive Leadership Team has reviewed and changed UUMA procedures for reporting ministerial deaths. Currently death notices received from the UUA are posted by the UUMA regardless of the decease’s UUMA membership status. Beginning September 2024, the death notices of only UUMA members in good standing will be posted by the UUMA. With one exception: the death notices of those who, at the time of death, had been UUMA members during active ministry for 5 years or more, who had not intentionally resigned their UUMA membership, and who would have qualified for Life Membership in the UUMA had they in retirement requested it, will also be reported.

Collegial Conversation: All Things International: 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.

Collegial Conversation: 50 Years in Ministry Panel and Q&A: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 2-4pm ET/ 1-3pm CT/ 12-2pm MT/ 11am-1pm PT Please join us for a screening of the complete reflections from our colleagues ordained in 1974. A montage of their reflections was shared during the Celebration of 25 and 50 Years in Ministry at Ministry Days 2024. During this session we will share their reflections in full along with a conversation among them and an opportunity for you to respond.