Something For the Moment 

• Collegial Care in Times of Crisis: We are extending access to our Sustainability Fund to make financial resources available to support care for members of the UUMA who are most personally impacted by the devastating crisis in Palestine and Israel. Click here to access the letter we sent to colleagues about this on 2/15/24.
   
• Community Minister Pre-Retreat: The first Community Minister pre-retreat is happening on March 3rd at 7PM ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT. We are delighted to welcome colleagues Aisha Asano and Emily Conger of Nourish, who have designed a dinner church service focusing on our retreat theme, Tending Your Spirit: Rest, Renewal, and Reflection. For more information about the retreat series and to register, click here.
   
• Watch Party Application Deadline: Today is the deadline to let us know that you would like to host a watch party.  Without sufficient interest, we will regroup and consider other options for collegial connections in June.  Are you planning on organizing a watch party – let us know now!!  Complete this form. You can also watch the info session to learn more. 

Something for the Journey
Rev. Michelle Favreault, Ministerial Formation Network Program Manager

It was Easter Sunday, and my first time preparing to speak from the pulpit of a congregation founded more than 300 years before. As a lay-Director of Religious Education, I was excited and surprised when the Parish Minister took me to the hall closet, found me a black choir robe, then placed a pink and gold stole on my shoulders before we processed from the narthex to the chancel singing Hymn #7, The Leaf Unfurling (to the tune Sine Nomine).  Now, the details may be fuzzy – but this is a formation story, so more about memory, feeling, and lessons than Truth.  

Imagine my surprise, when I landed at a seminary 3,000 miles away.  In those hallowed halls, I heard conversations that there were RULES about wearing stoles!?!  Fast forward a few more decades, and I’m working with seminarians attending more than 40 different theological schools (many are fully remote learning).  Some folks have heard some rules, others have heard other rules when it comes to authority and embodiment. Some wear albs on the streets AND half the time these fabulous folks are preaching via ZOOM wearing pajamas on the bottom and liturgical garb on top!? All of which would have seemed pretty far fetched at the end of the last century. Before I knew what a narthex was. Or how to read the alphabetical index of tunes. Never mind the distinctions between Geneva and Roman collars!

When and where and with whom we study can influence a whole lot of a ministry career. From rules and history to networking and prayer. This month, the Ministerial Formation Network is continuing in the work of calling forth the courageous and transformative ministries of our newest colleagues through programs of discernment, collegiality, and supplemental education. I am so thankful to all of the mentors and teachers who continue to support my formation, and my heart holds gratitude to all of YOU who hold the caring containers of study and reflection that keep our ministry learning, remembering, and growing through changing times and tunes.  I’d love to receive your discernment stories – especially those things you’ve unlearned and unfurled along the way!  And photos!  What are you wearing this Sunday?  

Yours in tie dye, 

Michelle 

Something Extra

• Never Miss A Beat: Have you missed one of the UUMA Webinars? We record and post most of our events to the UUMA Resource Library.  Click here for a filtered view of our UUMA Videos. Our most recent addition is the recording of last week’s webinar: How to Read Our Contract, also available in podcast form! 
   
• Lay Leader Scholarship Opportunity: Do you know  a lay leader in Unitarian Universalism who will be entering the first year of seminary in 2024, or is undertaking undergraduate work to prepare for seminary?  The Rev. Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship honors Rev. Chuck Thomas’s career and his family’s commitment to lay leadership in Unitarian Universalism by awarding this scholarship to one such student each year. Thomas Scholars qualify for this award by demonstrating their outstanding commitment to Unitarian Universalism as lay leaders. For more information and to apply for this and other ministerial scholarships available from the UUA, click here. Applications will be accepted beginning February 15, 2024 and must be submitted no later than April 15, 2024.

Something for Formation

• UU Preaching Conference: The MFN is able to offer registration support to Aspirants and Candidates planning to attend the INNOVATIVE and EXCITING UU Preaching Conference – April 18-21 online and in New Jersey!  The conference website has details of preachers and programs.  Interested Aspirants and Candidates can reach out for more information using THIS LINK.
   
• MFN Formation Conversation: What (Not?) to Wear: Clergy Garb Edition 
  Wednesday, February 21, 2024 4-5pm PT/ 5-6pm MT/ 6-7pm CT/ 7-8pm ET
  We’ll have time to explore some of the historical and theological considerations of vestments in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, then spend some time with colleagues to talk about the cultural, contextual, and comfort questions when it’s time to get dressed for Sunday…and all the other days of the week.  REGISTRATION LINK