Fundamentals of Immigrant Justice: Contexts and Histories: This 4-series workshop, co-hosted by the UUMA and UURise will provide UU ministers with the fundamentals needed to engage immigration justice work with confidence. The series starts next week on Wednesday, March 11 and runs every other week through April. Register here once to attend all 4 sessions.
Meet the Moment: Strategic Risk Assessment and Engagement for Ministers: This spring cohort will offer a supportive and grounded space for religious leaders to better understand the risks present in their specific contexts and to develop thoughtful, values-aligned strategies for responding. Wednesdays: March 11 and April 8: 12pm to 2pm ET, 11am to 1pm CT/ 10am to 12pm MT/ 9am to 11am PT
Sharing Circles Following Removal of a Minister from Fellowship: Sharing Circles create a confidential space for participants to share and process their reactions to a particularly difficult situation. While these groups are not therapy, they provide an opportunity for participants to gain a better understanding of their own reactions and to recall ways of gaining and maintaining their health and well-being moving forward. Groups will be facilitated by trained members of the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Team.
Sharing Circle for Ministers Most Directly Impacted:March 11 at 11am ET/10am CT/9am MT/8am PT for those people who had a personal or professional relationship with the individual who was removed
Sharing Circles for Ministers Impacted by Prior Harm: March 10 at 11am ET/10am CT/9am MT/8am PT for people who have prior personal or professional experience of clergy misconduct of any type or who are survivors of other abuse
Sharing Circles for Concerned Ministers: March 11 at 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT for people who hold professional or vocational concerns and/or concerns about institutional processes
Something for the Journey
Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Lifelong Learning Manager
When I was still exploring/resisting the call to ministry, I remember having a conversation with a dear friend who was a UU minister. On this particular day I was trying to convince myself that it was a good idea to go to seminary and embark on this journey. At the time, I was an entrepreneur, and even though I loved loved loved my coaching clients and the experience of coaching itself, I did not love the business side of things. I said to my friend, “Well, at least as a minister I won’t be so damn lonely!” He said, “Wellllll….” and then went on to share his lived experience of the loneliness of ministry.
I continue to be mystified by this paradox. How can a vocation that requires so many conversations and interacting with so many people be so lonely?! I now know in my own body, and have witnessed in the life of other colleagues, the many different flavors that this loneliness can take. I know we all have a version of it, don’t we? I am currently carrying the mix created by the loneliness of institutional ministry, being a Mexican immigrant in Minneapolis (and in Unitarian Universalism), and navigating some health and disability challenges.
Two recent experiences have served as a balm to this ache. The first was Institute, and how powerful it was to be together virtually and in Albuquerque to deepen our connections and take some time for learning.* The second was just this week.
On Wednesday evening the UUA and the UUMA hosted a panel conversation with the planning team of the upcoming Community Ministers Retreat. I did not realize until I was in a zoom room with other Community Ministers how badly I needed to see other folks who are in institutional ministry like I am, other entrepreneurs, other colleagues who are centering healing and justice in their day to day lives. There was so much joy and recognition on the call, with a big surge of energy when folks learned that this retreat is free of cost! Especially if you are a community minister, I encourage you to watch the recording of our recent panel and to sign up for our upcoming retreat.
Especially in these times of fascism and authoritarianism, it is so very important that we make time to connect to one another each other and know that we are not alone. I urge you, beloved, to prioritize something this coming week that will help you remember we are in it together, and we are here for one another. ¡Arriba y adelante! (Pa’tras ni pa’garrar vuelo.)
*P.S. What’s that? You haven’t had a moment to give us feedback about your experience at Institute, you say? Please do it now, and throw your Lifelong Learning Manager a bone. I can’t make things better if I don’t have a mandate from you, beloved UUMA members. (Or keep things the same if it’s good and doesn’t need changing!) Don’t want to do another form? Please reply to this email and tell me one thing about your experience at Institute.
If you weren’t able to attend the Institute you can now purchase access to the recordings of our five amazing worship services, our Keynote with Kai Cheng Thom and the Non-Compliance Training with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Purchase here or by clicking the image above.
Something Extra
We are pleased to share that registration for UUMA Ministry Days 2026 will open on March 31, 2026. This year’s gathering will take place June 17–19 and will once again be primarily virtual, offering several hours of programming each day for worship and collegial connection. For colleagues traveling to the General Assembly Studio Site in Louisville, KY, we are also planning an optional in-person gathering on Friday, June 19. This add-on will include caucus space, a reception for UUMA members, a shared meal, and the opportunity to listen together to the Berry Street Essay. Read this Latest News post for the full schedule (subject to change).
As in recent years, we also encourage colleagues who are not traveling to consider gathering locally in small groups to participate in Ministry Days together. More details will follow as the program continues to take shape. We hope you will mark your calendars now and plan to join colleagues from across the association for Ministry Days 2026.
UUA Debt Reduction Grants
The UUA debt reduction grants are intended to assist UU ministers to reduce the loan amount for theological school. Financial information for 2025 and current loan statements will be required as a part of the application process.
Applicants must 1) hold ministerial fellowship with the UUA that is current and in compliance with MFC Rules, and 2) be in active service in ministry or in between positions. To learn more details about this and apply, click here to learn more about this grant and other UUA aid assistance programs. Please email the UUA with your questions. The deadline is March 31, 2026, and awards will be distributed by early July.
Upcoming Events
You can view our calendar events here. Please make sure you are logged into uuma.org to see our full calendar as some events are available for members only.
remember having a conversation with a dear friend who was a UU minister. On this particular day I was trying to convince myself that it was a good idea to go to seminary and embark on this journey. At the time, I was an entrepreneur, and even though I loved loved loved my coaching clients and the experience of coaching itself, I did not love the business side of things. I said to my friend, “Well, at least as a minister I won’t be so damn lonely!” He said, “Wellllll….” and then went on to share his lived experience of the loneliness of ministry.
