July 11, 2025

Something For the Moment 

Three Institute-related items you don’t want to miss:

1. A Chance to WIN: We are continuing to work hard to get ready for the Institute and hope you will join us January 26-30 in Albuquerque, NM or virtually from wherever you are. Register by July 15th for the lowest rates and to be entered to win a series of great prizes (including registration, free hotel, flight credit and more!)
2. You get to pick your learning track: When you register by July 15, you will also have the opportunity to select the learning track of your choice – we will circle back with you later in July for this registration process.
3. Payment Plans Available:  We understand it can be difficult to pay a large sum for registration in the middle of summer. If spreading the cost of registration over the next few months would help, please fill out this form and you will recieve more information about the next steps. Plans will start with a deposit and need to be complete by December 15.

Something for the Journey

Rev. Jan Taddeo, Program Administrator

In December 2017 I received an email from the Berkana Institute describing a training program they were offering – one of MANY emails inviting me into the next great program that would change my life. But this invitation was different. The invitation was to contemplate three questions over three weeks, and then complete an application for the program based on those contemplations. There was no “Sign up Now” button. No link to pay money (yet). This was an invitation to be part of something much bigger than I imagined. I was accepted into the Warriors for the Human Spirit training, and I have been changed, for the better through the multiple retreats, the discipline of spiritual practices, the mentorship of Margaret Wheatley, and the deep friendships that blossomed through shared experiences. 

The motto for the Berkana Institute is “Whatever the Problem, Community is the Answer. The “Why” statement for the UUMA is “Because We Need One Another.” These two statements guide my ministry, my life choices, and my relationships. 

When we moved from Georgia to Lawrence, Kansas in 2024 to be closer to our son and his wife (at their request! – there’s a blessing), we knew only one other person in Lawrence. We knew that we needed to build community and connections. Of course we attend the local UU congregation (and created a powerful covenant with the settled minister) and started getting to know our neighbors… even and especially the neighbor who wore a “Bikers for Trump” hat. Because, we need one another. Because, as our democracy continues to devolve, I want my neighbor to see ME as the kind, caring, compassionate person I am. And, I need to see that part of him… and I have.  

For those who missed the announcement at Ministry Days, my last day on staff at the UUMA is July 15. As I leave, I’m already taking up some new commitments. I’ve signed up to serve meals on Saturdays, assist in the nursery at church, and during the week I’ll be Grand Nanny to River, our now 10 week old grandson. And I’ll always be looking for ways to cause Good Trouble.

Serving on staff at the UUMA has been an honor and a privilege. I’ve brought to this position a lifetime of accumulated skills in administration, finance, and ministry, and I learned so much from you, my colleagues, about the breadth, depth, and width of how our ministries change the world. It has been an absolute joy and privilege to ad-’minister’ to and with you, my dear colleagues. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Something for Learning

Thriving as a Highly Sensitive Clergyperson: From “Too Sensitive” to Embracing Your Insight and Empathy: Wednesday, August 13 at 6-7:30pm ET/ 5-6:30pm CT/ 4-5:30pm MT/ 3-4:30pm PT If you’re highly sensitive, your gifts of empathy, intuition, and creativity are incredibly powerful tools for ministry. But ministry can also take a real toll on you, with its constant, varied demands, conflicts, and emergencies. And because of your high sensitivity, a lot of the standard training and advice about ministry may not work for you. In this 90-minute webinar led by Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Spiritual Director and Life Coach, you’ll gain clarity on the gifts and challenges of being a highly sensitive clergyperson, plus ideas and resources for how to make changes in your habitual practices of ministry so you can thrive more fully.

Learning Together returns in August: Learning Together is our monthly gathering where we explore different continuing education topics; it happens the fourth week of the month, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are on break for the summer, but will be back at the end of August, and will have a new list of topics for you soon.

Something Extra

We have been hearing some concerns about 2025 changes in the UUA Health Plan. With health insurance coverage under attack in the US, we are grateful to have a health plan option that aligns with our values. In case you missed it, the staff at the UUA has created a series of webinars to help participants understand the options available and benefits to participation. While sessions 1 and 3 might be best for Program Administrative Staff, we commend Sessions 2 and 4 for every participant in the plan. Now, more than ever, it is important to understand the details. 

• Webinar 2: Comparing Health Plans, HSAs, & Online Tools: Highmark member portal, coverages, online premium calculator Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET Register for Webinar 2
• Webinar 4: Your Dental, Life, LTD, and Vision Benefits: Coverage details, how to submit life insurance claims, enrolling in member portals Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET Register for Webinar 4