April 30, 2026

Something For the Moment 

Something for the Journey: Special Care Announcement

from Christine Purcell, UUA Congregational Transitions Director

The UUA has moved into our policy of congregational accountability in ministry search, known as “Special Care,” with strategy and creativity over the last few years. We have learned a lot from doing so. It is time for UUA Congregational Life staff to formalize and publicize the policy a bit more so that congregations understand it and know what to expect.

Going forward, after a negotiated resignation with a minister, a congregation will automatically receive Special Care status from UUA Congregational Life staff. This means that regional UUA staff will support leaders in examining, identifying, and working toward needed changes in their congregational system that might have helped with or prevented the conflict that ended their last ministry. This evolution of Special Care was due, in part, to UUMA advocacy and to the generous, vulnerable sharing of individual colleagues in UUMA/UUA listening sessions.

As a parallel to a clergy hold and review process, the aim of Special Care is not to punish, but to offer a reflective pause, followed by some needed development work to disrupt harmful behaviors before they become patterns. This does not mean that congregations in Special Care will be held out of search, necessarily, though they will be restricted to transitional ministry searches, initially. When a congregation in Special Care is in search, they must be candid in their search materials about the challenges they faced (and/or caused) in their recent ministry/ministries and about the ways they are working to improve their structure, culture, and relationships going forward. 

Congregations in Special Care may need an experienced transitional minister to help them with this work, but the transitional minister will learn about ministry-ending conflict in the congregation’s recent past from the search profile and regional staff, not just from concerned colleagues or the rumor mill. The next clergy person to serve with a congregation in Special Care, regional staff, and possibly the Hope for Us Conflict Engagement Team will work together to support the congregation in restoring trust, good employment practices, appropriate relationships, and a productive level of conflict.

May the evolution of this policy offer additional security and support to clergy seeking new positions so that future partnerships, rooted in self-awareness and candor, will yield the commitment, courage, transformation, and care which Unitarian Universalist ministry offers at its best

Something for Justice

from our partners at Side with Love

Unitarian Universalists are joining the tidal wave of everyday people demanding that  our tax dollars fund stability and care, not occupation and repression. One week from today, we will join workers, students, and families across the country in a coordinated national day of action under one clear banner: Workers Over Billionaires.

Because the affordability crisis is real.
Because corporations and billionaires have rigged the rules.
Because when the deal is broken, we don’t continue business as usual.

On May 1, people in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, will act together: No School. No Work. No Shopping. A collective demonstration that when working people move together, the rules change. Will you participate on Friday, May 1st? Find an action near you. 

Following May 1, join us for The Gathering: 

• May 11: The Gathering – What’s Next After May Day? Join us  at The Gathering on May 11 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/4pm PT to strategize about congregational roles in public action, like strike schools, resource mapping & more
• June 8: The Gathering – Declarations of Democracy Our June Gathering on June 8 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/5pm PT at will kick off a 2026 learning series that examines the limits and possibilities of American democracy ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Something Extra

Community Ministers Retreat: Calling all Community Ministers in Fellowship – we have a special treat for you! In attending the retreat, you get access to recordings of the pre-retreat sessions which are filled with rich meditations, nourishing activities and satisfying blessings. If you meet the criteria and want to join us, register today and watch the first session we had with Rev. Tandi Rogers before our next Pre-Retreat gathering on May 17, 2026 with Rev. De Vandiver. Want to learn more about the retreat and financial support? Visit these pages and watch our NurtureNook video.

Limited Number of Zoom Accounts Available: As a benefit of UUMA membership, and to support the UUMA, our members can purchase Zoom licenses for their personal use or that of their ministry site. The Zoom account belongs to the minister and we have about 15 licenses left we can sell. Our exclusive packages come with lots of great features like meeting transcription, the ability to make and store video clips and other documents as well as calendar and task lists. The best price is for yearly subscription. Grab them before they are gone for the year. 

Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley Scholarship – sponsored by the UU Women’s Federation (UUWF): The application deadline is tomorrow, May 1, for the Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley (MBW) Scholarship, which supports BIPOC women+ pursuing theological education and leadership within Unitarian Universalism. This scholarship is a vital investment in the next generation of leaders, honoring a legacy of justice, equity, and transformative ministry. By investing in BIPOC women+ in their call to leadership, we help strengthen our faith and movement for the future. Apply here!