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Weekly News April 25, 2025

Active Hope and Resilience

April 25, 2025

Something For the Moment 

App Reminder: Don’t forget to download the UUMA app (directions can be found here). One of the fun things our app can do is help you upload a new profile picture to your UUMA profile. Click on “My Membership,” then “Update Account” and scroll down to the bottom to add a new photo. Need help with the app? Reach out to Hannah! 

Call for Scholarship Contributions: With two more rounds of Minsitry Days Scholarship Requests and an Institute just around the corner, we need your help to sustain our scholarship fund. No gift is too small (or too large) – please consider making a gift today.

Seeking submissions for the Curated Addictions and Recovery Worship Kit: Seeking sermons, poems, chalice lighting words and other worship elements focused on addiction and recovery. All submissions must adhere to WorshipWeb guidelines; please review them before submitting for this project. To submit, please contact Rev. Ruth Rinehart, 720-290-5715. Deadline for submission: April 28, 2025, end of day.
Register for Ministry Days
Register for Institute for the Learning Ministry

Something for the Journey

Rev. Nic Cable, Vice President UUMA Board of Trustees

Last Saturday, I was thinking of you, dear colleagues, Nic Cableas I stood on the steps of City Hall in Columbus, IN. I was asked to lead off our Hands-Off Solidarity Rally with some opening remarks. Speaking from the heart, I named a tension that I see alive in our struggle for justice today. I would add that I see this in our ministries and collegiality, as we collectively hold the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism.

In short, I acknowledged the many interwoven emergencies we are facing today. From inhumane deportation and treatment of immigrants in this nation, to oppressive legislation targeting women, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals living with disabilities, not to mention the fomenting of white supremacist and eugenic sentiments, we are living and serving our communities in the face of what feels like a constant and blaring five-alarm fire. Yet, at the same time, I named what I see unfolding in my small city in southern Indiana, and, I would add, in so many of our ministries across the country and world. In response to these emergencies, we see groups and communities coming together, loving and struggling with and for one another and those most at threat of harm these days. 

This response is seen in the love that is emerging from each heart, the good works that are emerging from our words and bodies, and the emergence of a new articulation of active hope and resiliency that stretches across the United States and abroad. I reaffirm the gratitude that I have for the people I serve alongside in the Midwest and for all of you, dear colleagues, as we respond to the many emergencies of our day with an emergence of abiding love that flows within, among, and beyond us. May you find peace and strength as you remember you are not alone, you are part of a much greater response that is being shaped every day.

Something for Formation

MFN Formation Conversation: Love at the Center with UU Wellspring: Join us on Thursday May 22 at 6:00-7:30pm ET/5:00-6:30pm CT/4:30-6:00pm MT/3:30-5:00pm PT

UU Wellspring is offering a special intensive version of Love at the Center this summer, designed specifically for seminarians, aspirants, and candidates for UU ministry. This 9-week program, held on Sunday evenings at 4 PM Pacific (7 PM Eastern) from July 6 through August 31, provides a deep exploration of Unitarian Universalist identity, theology, and spiritual practice.

On May 22 we will preview this program with a session to introduce the UU Wellspring experience to MFN participants. The Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) recommends Love at the Center as a valuable resource for understanding the changes to Article II of the UUA Bylaws, which redefine the core values and commitments of our faith. Rev. Dr. Jason Cook and members of the UU Wellspring team will guide a time of reflection, discussion and spiritual grounding. 

MFN Formation Conversation: Chaplaincy Innovation Lab Meet and Greet: Join us on Monday, June 2 at 7-8:30pm ET/6-7:30pm CT/5-6:30pm MT/4-5:30 PT. The Ministerial Formation Network will host a time of connection and conversation with Michael Skaggs, Director of Programs at The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. The Lab launched in October 2018 to bring chaplains, theological educators, clinical educators and social scientists into conversation about the work of chaplaincy and spiritual care. As religious and spiritual life continues to change, the CIL sparks practical innovations that enable chaplains to nurture the spirits of those they serve and reduce human suffering. If you are considering a vocation in community ministry, chaplaincy or in the parish this is a great chance to learn about trends, resources and networks to support your growth and learning. We’ll round out the session with time for collegial check in and fellowship.

Something Extra

Chapter Leader Gatherings: There are four opportunities at a range of times for Chapter Leaders to gather in May for Resources, Support and Connection. We ask that at least one elected leader from each chapter attend one of these calls for updates, discussion, and collegiality. 

Click on a date below to register for a gathering date:

Upcoming Events


You can view our calendar events here. Please make sure you are logged into uuma.org to see our full calendar as some events are available for members only. 

 
 
 

UUMA Staff
 

Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer,
Director of Ministries and Programs

Janette M. Lallier
Director of Operations and Finance

Executive Leadership Team
Melissa & Janette

Rev. Michelle Favreault,
MFN Program Manager

Hannah Franco-Isaacs,
Membership Administrator


Julica Hermann de la Fuente,
Lifelong Learning Manager

Rev. Jan Taddeo,
Program Administrator

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