May 2, 2025

Something For the Moment 

Something for the Journey

Jan Taddeo, Program Administrator

Apparently, I’ve become known among the UUMA staff for my very deep passion for nurturing vital UUMA Chapters. I’ve had this passion since my first Chapter Retreat where I felt welcomed as a newly ordained minister who moved to Georgia to serve in my first settled ministry. In my thirteen years in that chapter, I developed strong connections and deep friendships. I took on a few leadership roles, worked with a team to reimagine our chapter’s structure and guiding documents, including the creation of a scholarship fund dedicated to support aspirants and candidates to attend our retreats and build the collegial connections that are so important in sustaining our ministries. At our retreat in March 2020, we wondered and imagined together how this new COVID thing that was just hitting the news might affect our ministries. Our UUMA mission came to life for me at that time: we really needed one another then, and we need one another now as the world as it is today presents new challenges.

I feel like I “grew up” in that chapter through the many conversations, programs, and activities we engaged with together. While the programs were interesting and helpful in building my skills in ministry, I treasured them for the deeper connections developed between and among us. I know some chapter gatherings haven’t always been as welcoming and supportive as we would expect. I’ve heard stories of ways in which colleagues have not always lived into our covenant, or been less than supportive to newcomers. I have faith that we continue growing into the best possibilities for healthy collegial connections. I’m also a champion of our Good Offices program for supporting us to live into our supportive collegial connections.

Over the next few months, many colleagues will move to new places and new positions. I hope your chapter and clusters will warmly welcome the incoming ministers – community, parish, and those in formation – and pave the way for them to connect with new colleagues. I hope you have rituals to celebrate the gifts and friendships of those who are moving away to answer new callings. And please remember we are here to support you in the strengthening and development of your chapter. Reach out! Wherever and however we are serving our call, we really do need one another.

Something for Formation

The Ministerial Formation Network is always on the forefront of our learning ministry, supporting discernment and offering care for our newest colleagues. In this time of graduations and shifting ministries we invite UUMA members to consider three ways of helping out with this vital component of our collegial community. Email MFN Manger Michelle Favreault for more information. We need one another to grow our faith for the future, today! 

Vocational Advising – this mentoring program nurtures 1:1 relationships of trust. If you have at least one preliminary fellowship renewal, we ask you to consider service in this dynamic program that calls upon members who can listen carefully, ask good questions, encourage spiritual growth and model collegiality for the individual candidate or aspirants with whom they work. Typical commitment is 6-8 one hour meetings over the course of a year. 

Outreach to Non-UU seminarians – if you know of an applicant, aspirant or candidate enrolled at one of the 40+ schools where folks on the path of credentialed ministry are studying, help us connect with them so they can access the supplemental education and MFN resources available. One time messages or ongoing liaison support is especially welcomed! 

Retreat Leadership and Design – program planning for 2026 and beyond are already underway and we’re seeking folks who are interested in theological reflection, community care and leadership skill building. This could be as much as a 6 hour leadership gig or ongoing curriculum support (with possibilities for honoraria!) or a simple phone conversation to share ideas and strategies.

Something Extra