October 16, 2026

Something for the Moment

Introducing the Professional UU Chaplains Chapter: We are delighted to welcome the newest UUMA chapter, Professional UU Chaplains! Organized by Revs. Karen Hutt and Megan Lloyd Joiner, this chapter will provide a professional home for UU chaplains serving in healthcare, hospice, correctional, educational, and other institutional settings. Building on the collegial community offered through our Community Ministers Chapter, this new chapter will focus specifically on the professional practice of chaplaincy, offering opportunities for mentorship, continuing education, and support through the chaplaincy certification process. We invite certified chaplains, those pursuing certification, and other UU ministers engaged in professional chaplaincy to join this new community. To join, log into the UUMA Member Center, select Groups, and find the Professional UU Chaplains Chapter.

Membership Renewal: The UUMA membership renewal grace period ended yesterday, Thursday, October 15. Members who have not yet renewed will no longer have access to members-only areas of our website and resources, until their membership is renewed. We value each member of our UUMA community and hope you’ll continue to be part of the collegiality, support, and shared ministry that connect us. If you haven’t yet done so, we invite you to renew your membership. If you have questions, need assistance, or would like to discuss your renewal options, please contact our Membership Administrator, Laira Magnusson. We’re glad to help!

All Things Sabbatical:

Recently back from sabbatical? Join Rev. Darcey Laine for an opportunity to Integrate your Sabbatical on Tuesday, November 10 at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT.

Are you going on sabbatical soon? Please fill out this short survey so we can track it and support you!

The new sabbatical handbook is heading towards editing and publication soon, we look forward to sharing it with you! Do you have a …
- sabbatical information brochure for a medium- or large-sized congregation?
- sample departure and/or return ritual?
- short article explaining sabbaticals to your congregation?

We would love to add them to the new handbook. Please email Julica.

Something for the Journey

Janette Lallier, UUMA Director of Operations and Finance

What We Hold, What We Release

In just a few weeks, we’ll turn back our clocks and gain an hour. Yet somehow, I never seem to feel as though I’ve been given any extra time. As the daylight grows shorter, I find myself longing for a little more rest, a little more time to turn inward and replenish myself. With so much good and important work calling our attention, we are called to make choices about where we give our time and energy, and what we might need to set down for a little while.

Like a field left to lie fallow, that which we set down is not abandoned. Rather, we give it time to rest and replenish so that it may bear fruit again. In this season of harvest, there is wisdom in recognizing both what is ready to be gathered and what needs a season of rest. We cannot tend to every field at once, nor can we continue tending without nourishing ourselves.

Next week is Spiritual Care Week, a time to recognize and celebrate hospital and hospice chaplains, ministers of pastoral care, and all those who hold this work as central to their ministries.This year’s theme, Healing Through Presence and Grace, reminds us of the extraordinary gift of being fully present. Those engaged in these ministries know what it means to set down all the other things calling for their attention so they can be with the person before them. Not necessarily to fix anything, or even to do anything, but simply to be present. Thank you for the care, compassion, and presence you bring to those you serve. May your commitment to this sacred work remind us all of the gift we offer when we are fully present to the moment, the person, or the work before us.

And, as the light changes and we move through this season of harvest and renewal, perhaps we can make room to ask: What needs my attention right now? What am I ready to set down? What feels in need of tending, and what might be ready for a season of rest?

May we find the grace to be fully present to what is before us, trusting that the fields we leave fallow will be there when it is time to return.

Spiritual Care Week:
Healing Through Presence and Grace

October 18-26, 2026

Click here to learn more.

Something for Formation

Coming Up Soon! Don’t Miss These MFN Programs: The Ministerial Formation Network has three opportunities coming up next week for those preparing for ministry. Join colleagues for reflection, connection, and support along the journey toward fellowship. Register now and help us make these gatherings possible! There’s still time to join us. Click the program titles to learn more and register!

Saturday, October 24: MFN Mini-Retreat: Theology of Calling
12–3 p.m. ET / 11 a.m.–2 p.m. CT / 10 a.m.–1 p.m. MT / 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PT
Explore the personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions of your call to ministry.
Sunday, October 25: MFN Mini-Retreat: Articulating Your Faith
6–9 p.m. ET / 5–8 p.m. CT / 4–7 p.m. MT / 3–6 p.m. PT
Make space for reflection on your beliefs, values, and commitments through worship, creativity, and collegial conversation.
Monday, October 26: MFN Formation Conversation: Pacing and Planning
7–8:30 p.m. ET / 6–7:30 p.m. CT / 5–6:30 p.m. MT / 4–5:30 p.m. PT
Explore how to balance internships, CPE, coursework, and life with colleagues who have navigated different paths through formation.

Something Extra

Important Updates to the UUA/UUMA Model Ministerial Agreement: The UUA and UUMA have released an updated Model Ministerial Agreement, reflecting feedback from UUMA members over the past year. The October 2026 revision includes clearer guidance, updated resources, and important changes to dispute resolution practices. Ministers and congregations should use the new version for future agreements and update Section 6 (Dispute Resolution) in existing agreements.

Learn more about the changes, the collaborative work behind them, and how to update your agreement in our Latest News announcement.

Clergy Act Passes Congress: Good news for ministers! After nearly 30 years, Congress has passed legislation offering ministers who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare another opportunity to reverse that decision. Read more about the Clergy Act, including when the opportunity becomes available and what you need to know. As always, we encourage you to consult your tax professional before making any decisions.

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.