June 14, 2026

Something From the Board

At the 2026 General Assembly, delegates will consider a proposed amendment to the UUA Bylaws regarding the authority of the Review Team to suspend or place a minister’s search on hold. Because this proposal has generated significant discussion among UUMA members and has implications for our shared ministry and professional community, the UUMA Board of Trustees has prepared the following statement.

The statement reflects conversations held during recent UUMA Board Dialogue Sessions, discussions at our Annual Meeting, and feedback received directly from members. An abbreviated version of these remarks will be shared during the General Assembly debate on Monday.

UUMA Statement on the 2026 GA Bylaw Amendment –
Authority to Suspend or Place a Minister’s Search on Hold 

We are grateful for the conversation and attention to the Review Team and hold process that this bylaw amendment engendered. We are aware of the larger circumstances in which we are all trying to minister to meet this moment. We are here with you in the struggle for justice and equity in our own midst. 

We understand the power we hold as ministers and the importance of systems of accountability. We acknowledge the communal and sometimes generational impact of misconduct. We also know that ministry is increasingly challenging and precarious. Furthermore, we know that the removal of the ability for fellowshipped ministers to practice ministry, on either a temporary or permanent basis, is a significant act, impacting our clergy, congregations, and whole denomination. 

The current system giving the power for temporary “holds” to a Review Team composed of Unitarian Universalist Association staff poses real challenges in conflicts of interest, as well as in deeper ecclesial questions. In the current system there are issues of transparency, clarity, equity, consistency, and timely resolution. We are aware of a general lack of understanding, even among our UUMA members, of how this process functions. Many holds cause significant economic impact as some of our colleagues have lost a year or more of work in congregational ministry. 

In recent years, the UUMA has advocated for changes within the Review Team.  Some of these changes, including greater congregational accountability and education about the Review Team composition and organization have begun. In addition, the UUA Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group has begun working with the UUMA in order to provide UUMA representation on the Review Team. We applaud these changes, and yet acknowledge more data about the current Review Team process, as well as a comprehensive examination in light of our polity and theology is warranted.

We are concerned that the current Bylaw proposal, which moves the responsibilities for the hold process to the Ministerial Fellowship Committee will not substantially remedy the current problems nor address the theological questions before us as a faith. We do not support this bylaw change because, given the substantial workload already borne by the MFC as a volunteer committee, it is likely to further slow the process.

While we do not support this amendment, we acknowledge the challenges of, and harms caused by, the present system.  We do believe a reshifting including bylaw amendments will be necessary to solve this problem, but do not agree this particular amendment is the solution. We support creating a collaborative and timely process to develop an effective, equitable, and just system that will serve our faith, protect our congregations, reduce harm, ensure ministers are held accountable for the competent exercise of our vocation, demand ministerial accountability in cases of misconduct, as well as making sure that congregations are also held accountable when members behave inappropriately to help prevent harm to all religious professionals. 

Congregations as well as religious professionals, along with the UUA, Congregational Life Staff, our seminaries, and the MFC all have a responsibility in reducing the precarity of our ministerial profession and ensuring a robust network of care and development in cases where mistakes, but not misconduct, have occurred. Please oppose this Bylaw change and join us in advocating for a thorough, timely process in which all stakeholders–including the UUMA– can participate in solving the problems, reducing the harm, and aligning our processes with our theology and values.

Something for the Moment 

We are Celebrating Melissa TOMORROW!: We hope you will join us virtually Tomorrow June 14th at 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT to celebrate the ministry of Melissa Carvill Ziemer and the legacy of shared ministry that is at the center of her time with the UUMA. Whether or not you are able to join us we invite you to share memories, stories and gratitude that will be shared with Melissa in a book over the summer. Please use this form to submit your stories. While the edited recordings of the Annual Meeting will be available after Ministry Days, we have posted Melissa’s final annual report. Both a reflection and a blessing, she looks back on years of shared leadership, institutional growth, and faithful collaboration, while expressing gratitude for the relationships that have shaped her ministry and confidence in the Association’s future. 

Something for Learning

Here is a new experiment from your Lifelong Learning Manager: offering the same class as a weekly intensive over the summer and then in a more extended format during the fall. Recognizing that some parish ministers like to use summer study leave for intensive work, while others incorporate the learning throughout the church year, Julica is curious to find out which options are more appealing. Perhaps both for different people! This experiment begins with two classes: one for reparations & repair with Sacred Reckonings and one for fundraising with Jessica Cloud, CFRE (save the dates for fundraising registration options will be added asap). Thanks for your ongoing commitment to your learning journey, colleagues!