October 11, 2024
A Prayer for the Pray-ers
from Melissa Carvill Ziemer, Director of Ministries and Programs
We are holding all those living in the midst of Hurricane season in our thoughts and prayers. if you have extra to give these days we would lift up the UUA Disaster Relief Fund.
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 Something for the Journey
Michelle Favreault, MFN Program Manager
At our Ministerial Formation Network (MFN) Retreat on Saturday, I played a version of “Earth Was Given as a Garden” from our soundtrack of songs of comfort. Teach us how to trust each other, how to use for good our power, how to touch the earth with rev’rence. Then once more will Eden flower.
On Sunday, I shared the words from our colleague the Rev. Dr. Paul Rasor “Our commitment to religious freedom, our openness to new ideas, our insistence that religion should live in the present and not in the past, our healthy theological pluralism—all of these, the very theology that makes us liberal, mean that our collective religious identity will inevitably be difficult to pin down at any particular moment in our history.”
And here we are, dear colleagues. Moving through all this tumult and strife of 2024, I’m ever impressed by the ways mentors and students are learning new vocabularies. Creating change with ideas and thoughtful challenge to the past that we inherit. Sharing new songs, while referencing our collegial work of faith formation in dialogue with one another. Together we ask, what skills do I need for today? What do I need to unlearn and relearn to be a steward of this faith, prepared for whatever is emerging in congregations, my community and as a citizen of the planet? The questions are poignant for we who have been in ministry for some time, and we who are discerning if there is a way in for us and our questions.
The MFN is offering more retreats later this month, and there are many more opportunities to skill build, resource share, and our programs include a variety of groups, formation conversations and asynchronous online times to be with one another to acknowledge our place interwoven, all connected, planet wide and inmost soul…
This clergy appreciation month, I celebrate you, dear colleagues who came to ministry in the last century (with and before me!). Thank you for remaining. And how blessed I feel by those who are leading our faith into the future. Fill us all with grace o’erflowing. Teach us how to live in peace.
PS. Throughout October, we’re seeking Aspirant and Candidate responses to the Ministerial Formation Network Census as we continue our efforts to offer supportive discernment support, collegiality and supplemental education through the rich meaning making and time of preparing for a vocation in UU ministry.
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Something for Learning
A Course for Social Transformation
Join Rev. Nathan Hollister for a 6-session program to build our collective capacity for change. Explore how we can increase our power to defend democracy and the impact of our anti-oppression work. Together, we will bolster our collective ministry in service to congregations, organizations and our wider communities through theological deepening, community organizing skills, and collegial learning. You will leave this course with concrete activities and tactics to move your people forward, as well as more sermon material than you will need for the rest of the year. The cost for this course is $250. If a scholarship would be helpful to you please consider applying here.
Meets weekly on Wednesdays, Oct 30 – Dec 4*
Curious? Want to learn more? Listen in on a conversation between Julica and Rev Nathan on our podcast.
Rev. Hollister is the founder of Sacred Fire UU, a ministry that plants and supports covenanted communities and helps our congregations to be more effective in their racial and social justice impacts.
*If these sessions are too soon to fit into your schedule but you are interested we will be offering them again in February/March – stay tuned!
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Something Extra
Chapter Leader Calls: Check your email for more details or click the dates below to register. If you are a chapter leader and have not received the mailing please contact Jan Taddeo. You can click the dates below to register.
Chapter Webpage Training (open to all chapter leaders who manage their chapter webpage): Tuesday, October 22, 3-4pm ET/ 2-3pm CT/ 1-2pm MT/ 12-1pm PT
Chapter Leader Gatherings:
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