July 25, 2025

Something For the Institute
  

Something for the Journey

Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Lifelong Learning Manager 

Last week, your UUMA staff had a debrief session on Ministry Days. The conversation helped me renew my commitment to the process of feedback – when we take the time to reflect on events from a vantage point in the future, we gain so much valuable information that then helps us improve and change our systems. 

As an advocate of systems change in the cause of liberation, I am especially keen on how feedback can help us change the status quo. It can be easy and comfortable to do things “the way that we’ve always done it;” that is one of the ways that the status quo can solidify. 

Feedback about how things worked well or could be improved, on the other hand, is one of the best ways to innovate and improve. 

I’m not sure where I learned the phrase “I need a cookie” when I’m looking for approval or positive feedback. You may have noticed a cookie monster with a QR code at Ministry Days, asking for cookies. We most certainly want your positive feedback and “good job!” comments. Please, do give us cookies. But much more importantly, please help us design the Ministry Days of the future. Help us improve what we are doing and tell us what we could be doing better. Come on over and give us your feedback, colleagues. Please and thank you.

Curious about the Cookie Monster theme – read this article from Julica about her family’s tradition of saying “what you need is a cookie!” when things have been tough. 

Something for Formation

Vocational Advising, Discernment Co-Hearts, Retreats and more!

While summer school and orientation programs launch for seminary students, the Ministerial Formation Network is busy with evaluation, strategic planning and volunteer recruitment. In early August, we’ll launch the annual MFN census and start registration virtual retreats and Formation Conversation Webinars. We’ll also begin signups for 1:1 mentors AND adding a small group program of Co-Hearts for new aspirants who want to build relationships with peers with support from seasoned clergy folk. These discernment cohorts will be for no more than 3-5 folks who share a common interest in ministry. We expect it will be a good way to develop a sense of collegiality and find companionship while adjusting to a new identity as a “minister in training.” Stay tuned for more!  

And folks who are in Preliminary Fellowship (with at least one renewal) are needed to help support our Aspirant and Candidate colleagues. If you’re feeling ready to give back, love ministry and want to be part of leading the faith into the future, summer is the time to reach out directly to our MFN Manager Michelle Favreault via email to discern how to volunteer for MFN programming.