October 10. 2025

Something For the Moment 

Because we live in a world of information overload, we try to list time-sensitive things first:  

OCTOBER 15 DEADLINES:

• We need one another in UUMA Membership. In case you’ve missed our emails about membership, we wanted to let you know that the renewal grace period for the 2025-2026 Membership year ends on Wednesday, October 15th. We have sent several email renewals to save funds. Approximately 300 of you will receive a paper letter to encourage you to renew without interruption in service. Membership keeps you connected. Current UUMA Membership also qualifies you to be able to attend Institute 2026 – virtual or onsite. Renew today.
• UUMA Institute Rates Increase: Register and pay BEFORE October 15 at midnight PT for best Institute prices. Our rates go up on October 16 for both the Virtual and Onsite Institute. Please don’t procrastinate. Register now.

Not-to-be-Missed: 

• MFN Mini-Retreat: Theology of Calling Sun, Oct 19: This mini-retreat will offer participants a time and space to explore the personal, professional, and spiritual aspects of being called into religious leadership. We will engage in dialogue, prayer, and contemplation within a collegial community of care.  The content of the program is especially designed for Aspirants in the UUA credentialing program, and other UUMA members are welcome! REGISTER HERE 
• UUA Transitions Office Listening Session: October 17th from 12-2pm ET / 11-1pm CT / 10am-12pm MT / 9-11am PT. Click here to learn more about the session and to register.

Something for the Journey
Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer, UUMA Director of Ministries & Programs

This week I’m in the midst of hosting calls for our UUMA chapter leaders and finishing up recruiting additional colleagues to the ministry of Good Offices. Next week I’ll be meeting with our Widening the Circle Committee and our Institute Planning Team.  Being with good colleagues inspires and encourages me and reminds me yet again how very much we have to offer to one another.  The way we make and sustain the UUMA with and for one another is more important than ever in these times when so much of who and what we love is under attack. Clergy isolation increases the risk of burnout and misconduct in ordinary times.  In these extraordinary times, it is important to remember how meaningful clergy support fosters sustainability and promotes well-being.

In the UUMA, we are fortunate to have many and varied ways to make real and meaningful collegial connections.  I hope by now you have all the information (plus some!) that you need for connecting with our upcoming Institute for the Learning Ministry.  But that won’t be the only opportunity we have to gather as a body this year.  So today I want to tell you what we are planning for Ministry Days 2026.  

We decided some time ago that we would follow the plans of the UUA’s General Assembly as much as possible.  Therefore, we budgeted and planned to have a virtual Ministry Days this year.  Given the adjustments that have been made to the 2026 GA schedule, we are likewise making some adjustments to our Ministry Days plans.  While Ministry Days will still be primarily a virtual experience, we are creating an optional in-person add-on for those UUMA members who will be traveling to the GA “Studio Site” in Louisville, KY.  Tentatively titled, “UUMA at GA”, the optional in-person add-on will include a reception for UUMA members, caucusing time and the opportunity to listen together to the Berry Street Essay.  Following the lead of the UUA, we hope colleagues who do not travel will once again consider gathering in smaller local groups to take part in our virtual Ministry Days together.  

We do not expect to open registration before March, and details will continue to take shape, but we want to share what we know now so you can factor what we know into your plans. 

• Virtual Ministry Days – June 17 – 19, 2026: 4 hours or so of programming each day
• Optional Add-on for those at the GA Studio Site – “UUMA at GA” – June 19, 2026: On-site caucus spaces, UUMA member reception, and the opportunity to listen to the Berry Street Essay together

DRAFT IMAGINATION OF A SCHEDULE

We’ll share more as soon as we can.  Whether it is at the Institute, Ministry Days, or by participating with a UUMA chapter, I hope you are making plans to engage in meaningful connections with colleagues this year.  Your ministry will be stronger for it, and we are all stronger for your contributions to our UUMA.  

Something for Learning

This church cycle, we are using the Learning Together space as a learning environment for racial justice. Do you have the fourth Tuesday and Thursday in your calendars? You are warmly invited to join us in a space where all questions are helpful and learning is a collaborative process. 

In October, Julica is hosting a special caucus space for white-bodied people. In November, we will have a BIPOC-only conversation. Click here to learn more and find the zoom links to join the conversation each month.

Something Extra

From the Office of Church Staff Finances: This week, a letter regarding increases in health care premiums was sent out.  If you missed it, here is a link to catch up. Also, the Office of Church Staff Finances has a terrific newsletter.  Consider subscribing to stay on top of all the important news coming out of this office. 
 

Unified Ministerial Agreement Template: If you missed last week’s announcement about the long-awaited reorganized model agreement, you can find the details and links here. The charge for the creation of the renamed Unified Ministerial Agreement Template was to provide considerations for various types of ministries, not to revise the primary guidance. While an overall content review will happen in a future phase, in addition to a few minor wording adjustments, there are three notable amendments that have been made since we began this project.  These changes, including the UUMA Board’s advocacy for two days off, are explained in the cover letter.