August 7, 2026

Something for the Moment

Good Offices Meet and Greet with Rev. Mr. Barb: Open invitation for current Good Offices folks to join Director of Ministries and Programs, the Rev. Mr. Barb Greve for some informal "meet & greet" conversations. Take time to connect with Barb and share with him your joys and challenges of being a part of Good Offices. Click links below to register

• Thursday, August 13 at 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT
• Friday, August 21 at 12:30pm ET/11:30am CT/10:30am MT/9:30am PT
• Monday, August 24 at 3pm ET/2pm CT/1pm MT/12pm PT

Integrating Your Sabbatical: After a sabbatical, it's easy to get swept back up in the work of ministry, and our sabbatical experiences can seem like a distant memory. the Rev. Darcey Laine is hosting a 90 min collegial gathering where we can process and integrate our sabbatical experiences. Click the links to register and for more information.

• Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30pm ET/ 5:30 CT/ 4:30pm MT/ 3:30pm PT
• Tuesday, September 1 at 6:30pm ET/ 5:30pm CT/ 4:30pm MT/ 3:30pm PT

Something for the Journey

Rev. Mr. Barb Greve and Janette M. Lallier, Executive Leadership Team

Throughout its history, the UUMA has given careful attention to how we are staffed, how leadership is structured, and what capacity we need to serve our members well. Since 2017, the UUMA has experimented with several forms of shared executive leadership—including both two- and three-person Executive Teams—learning along the way that there is no singular model that can transfer from one version of the team to the next. Each partnership must be shaped by the people, the organization, and the needs of the moment. Our new Executive Team (Janette & Barb) is the next chapter in the UUMA’s continuing story. And like all new chapters, some things change while much remains the same.

Over the summer, we have been learning about one another’s experiences, perspectives, strengths, insecurities, and working styles so that we can position ourselves to work well together. We are grateful that the Rev. Debora Jackson has agreed to continue as the UUMA’s executive coach throughout this first year. With Debora, we are taking the time necessary to build trust and shape a shared leadership partnership that is distinctly ours. We are also grateful for the support of UUMA Board President, the Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, and the Board as we work together to integrate our partnership into the UUMA’s fuller shared leadership.

There is a good deal of staff transition ahead. Barb has begun meeting with our program managers and learning more about the ministries they support. Janette is leading us in hiring a new Membership Administrator. We are both delighted to be welcoming the Rev. Aaron Morton in the new role of (quarter time) Digital Services Administrator. Hannah will take family leave this fall, followed by Michelle’s sabbatical later in the winter. As we support these transitions, we also continue tending the programs, relationships, and systems that our members have come to know and value.

Because we are a new team, you can also expect new ideas and initiatives to emerge. We are beginning creative conversations about Ministry Days in San Jose next June. Barb will be reaching out to chapters and building relationships across the Association as members come to know him in this new role. Janette will continue strengthening the systems and staff structures that help turn new possibilities into sustainable work. We are excited about all that is taking shape, and are committed to moving at the pace of trust—communicating thoughtfully and caring for both what is emerging and what already serves the UUMA well.

Something for Formation

MFN Formation Conversation: Aspirant Welcome and Community Introduction: 
Monday, August 17, 2026 3:00-4:00pm ET/2-3:00pm CT/1-2:00pm MT/12-1:00pm PT 
REGISTER HERE

Folks who are new (or returning!) in aspirant status are invited to this MFN hosted conversation about our programs for discernment support, collegiality and supplemental education at the UUMA…because we need one another.

MFN Manager, the Rev. Michelle Favreault will offer an overview of the resources and opportunities available to colleagues preparing for vocations in Unitarian Universalist Ministry. With attention to our UUMA communication platforms and the guidelines for the practice of ministry, we welcome your questions, insights and dreams for the next season of our collective care.

MFN Discernment Groups:

• Theologians and The Apocalypse REGISTER HERE 
  Tuesday, September 1 at 1:00-2:30pm ET/12:00-1:30pm CT/11:00-12:30pm MT/10-11:30am PT
• Strength, Support and Leadership – Across Disability REGISTER HERE
  Wednesday, September 2 at 12:00-1:30pm ET/11:00-12:30pm CT/10:00-11:30am MT/9:00-10:30am PT

Fall Lifelong Learning: We are thrilled to be offering our summer intensive courses again in the Fall. We know that many people indicated interest in both Fundraising for Ministers and Sacred Reckonings. We are getting ready to roll out our 2026-2027 course catalogue in early Fall. Get excited and stay tuned! Click the links below for more information and to register. 

• Fundraising for Ministers: every other Tuesday starting September 22
• Sacred Reckonings: every other Wednesday starting September 23

Something Extra

Side with Love: The Gathering: As the US marks 250 years, this fall The Gathering will examine the limits and possibilities of American democracy and our sacred call to shape a multiracial, interdependent democracy where everyone can thrive at Side With Love’s monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others! 

This month's focus: Healing and Repair panel with Caitlin Breedlove (UU the Vote), the Rev. Vahisha Hasan (Movement in Faith), and QuianaDenae Perkins (Black Women of the Chalice). Rev. Verdis LeVar Robinson will root us in song and prayer. Register here. You can read the full August email from Side with Love here.