Institute News: October 23, 2025

It’s not too late to join us!
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23 October 2025
Image of gondola over hills. Text on the right reads "register for Institute 2026. Wee need one another. Thank you for everyone who already renewed UUMA membership and Paid for Institute."
Institute is going to be a special time for connecting, being nourished and pausing to think how to go forward; whether connecting in online space with programs customized to that platform or in person in Albuquerque, NM. We invite you to join a few hundred of us.

Our records indicate you have not yet registered for the Institute.  If you haven’t, it isn’t too late – Register and pay today. Make this an event you meet friends at. Go together. We still have plenty of room in sessions around reproductive justice and access, shared ministry, and pastoral tools among many others. Learn more about the programs. If you think you registered but are not sure email to check.

Invite a friend to join you. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and stabilize your spirit.
 
Image of people looking at plants in a garden. Text to the right reads "Shared Ministry at the Institute. Grounded in covenant, guided by spirit, and rooted in shared values." Underneath is a list of four items: Establishing a collective philosophy within staff teams, cultivate trust, name and acknowledge potential pitfalls, and solidify a shared vision for your ministry.
BREAKING NEWS: Big discount available for the first four congregational staff teams to join us at Institute to learn more about Shared Ministry! This learning opportunity will be especially impactful for teams who want to deepen their commitment to shared ministry and would like some support and encouragement for their efforts. We know there is so much going on, and we want to make sure you did not miss this great opportunity. Here is the track description:

From Me to We: The Art of Shared Ministry, 9 hoursDoug McCusker, Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs and Mandolin Restivo
Together, we will explore ways to embody new leadership models grounded in covenant, guided by Spirit, and rooted in our shared values. Through play, interactive activities and group work with entire staff teams, we will explore how shared ministry can decolonize leadership and transform our congregations and faith. This course will provide a solid framework for establishing a collective philosophy of shared ministry for staff teams; cultivate trust and learn restorative practices; identify where power resides in our professional settings and how to share it equitably for enhanced impact.

IMPORTANT: This training is part of a larger year long program that requires a separate registration process (in addition to Institute registration). More information is available here.
Are your patients or congregants worried about reproductive health care access?

UU clergy and congregations are involved in critical organizing to meet the immediate needs, as well as creating the necessary long-term culture change toward reproductive justice for all.  This highly interactive workshop will provide an overall national perspective on the work, sharing both short-term responses to the current circumstances and some of the long-term culture change work that is and must continue. 

Find out more about the Meeting the Need for Abortion Access and Reproductive Justice track.
Have you wondered how to minister to patients, clients or congregants impacted by addiction? 

This workshop is an exploration of addictions and our ministries- individually, colleague-to-colleague, in congregations, and communities. All have been affected by addiction and we owe it to ourselves to acknowledge and honor the many ways our lives have been touched by addiction.  Partnered sharing, small group discussion, individual reflection time, and storytelling will all be a part of this workshop.

Find out more about the Skills and Pastoral Tools for Ministering to Addiction track.
Institute Planning Team and Staff

Learning Team
     Nicoline Guerrier, Jamili Omar & Hannah Roberts Villnave

Care/Collegiality Team
    Joan Javier-Duval, Chris Long & Kevin Tarsa 

Worship Team
     Lindasusan Ulrich, Nori Rost & Jen Raffensperger

Staff

     Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer, Director of Ministries and Programs
     Janette M. LallierDirector of Operations and Finance
     Rev. Denise CawleyMembership Administrator
     Rev. Michelle Favreault, MFN Program Manager
     Rev. Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Lifelong Learning Manager
     Rev. Arran MortonTemp Staff
     Hannah Franco-IsaacsOn Sabbatical as of September 1
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