Ministerial Credentialing
Ministerial CredentialingThe Ministerial Credentialing Office works with persons preparing for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry by communicating the requirements of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC), relating to theological schools, administering scholarship aid, and supporting opportunities for field education, internships, workshops, and other programs.
Preparation for UU Ministry
Preparatory Stages
Requirements
Academic and Professional Preparation
Career Assessment Programs
MFC
Reading List
Sponsorship by a UU Congregation
Initial Inquiry Form
(Word) (PDF)
Interview Form (Word) (PDF) for Prospective Candidates
Appointment Request Form (Word) (PDF)
Financial Aid Grant Information
and Forms (PDF) for Theological Education 2007/08
Information for Transfer
or Plural Applicants
Internship Clearinghouse
Regional Sub-Committees on
Candidacy (RSCCs)
Religious Education: Course Outline, Graduate Level (PDF)
and the accompanying Reader (PDF)
RSCC Application for Candidate Status
(Word) (PDF)
Suggestions for Setting Up a "Mock MFC Interview"
Theological Schools
Scholarships
The Ministerial Credentialing Office administers scholarship
funds available to students who are in aspirant or candidate status and who are
enrolled in a Master of Divinity degree program leading to fellowship as a
Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister.
General financial aid will be
available to students who are aspirant or candidates who are attending
theological school at least half-time, or who plan to complete at least four
full courses for credit in any one academic year. Full time students who are
spirants or candidates will be eligible for at least three years, one of which
may be an internship year. Part-time students who are in aspirant or
candidate status may apply for aid for up to five years, one of which may be an
internship year. Full time students in aspirant status have one year of
eligibility for financial assistance before completing an RSCC interview;
part-time students have two years of eligibility for financial aid before
completing an RSCC interview.
The UU Scholarship Committee meets annually to determine who will receive
scholarship assistance. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, financial
need, and commitment to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. The annual
deadline for application to be received by the Ministerial Credentialing Office
is April 15th each year.
Some of the sources for the scholarship funds
include the Living Tradition Fund, the St. Lawrence Foundation, the Frothingham
Endowment, the Now is the Time Comprehensive Campaign, past campaigns and
individual contributions.
There are several named endowments established by generous donors who wanted to supply financial support for ministerial students. The recipients for these named scholarships are decided by the UU Scholarship Committee and staff. Applicants for financial aid are automatically considered for scholarships and no additional material is required, unless otherwise noted.
The Martha and Robert Atherton Ministerial Scholarship
Established in
1997, this scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to promising
ministerial students in their second or third year of seminary who have already
proven their capabilities. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who
respect hard work as a foundation of a full life and who appreciate the freedom,
political system and philosophical underpinnings of our country. Martha and
Robert Atherton are dedicated Unitarian Universalists who have made this
scholarship possible through their generous contributions.
The David Eaton Scholarship
Maureen Mulliner, a long time member of All
Soul's Church in Washington D.C., made an estate gift to establish this award in
order to affirm Rev. David Hilliard Eaton's vision of a community dedicated to
strengthening hope, justice, and balance, and creating an anti-racist,
multicultural religious organization and country. This scholarship is
awarded to women from an historically marginalized group who share the same
vision as David Eaton.
Lucille K and Jerome P. Gallon Scholarship Fund
The Lucille K. and Jerome
P. Gallon Scholarship fund was created to support promising candidates for
Unitarian Universalist ministry. This scholarship is to individuals who
have demonstrated strong preaching skills during their path to ministry.
Natalie Gulbrandsen Ministers' International Studies Scholarship Fund
Once
fully funded, this scholarship will provide aid to UU ministers and/or students
who wish to study in a developing country or culture.
The Ingeborg Haseltine Scholarship Funds
Ingeborg Haseltine made a gift
from her estate to establish a permanent scholarship fund to support the
education of women pursuing a career in the ministry of the Unitarian
Universalist Association.
Interfaith Spirituality Scholarship
This scholarshp was established by a
generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The purpose of this
scholarship is to support deserving individuals who have demonstrated an
interest in and are prepared to integrate interfaith understanding into their
ministry, and have a commitment to guiding others on their own spiritual
path.
The Susan M. Jackson Ministerial Scholarship Fund.
Susan M. Jackson's
children established this fund on Ms. Jackson's 85th birthday to honor her
commitment and dedication to Unitarian Universalism. This scholarship is
awarded to recipients who share with the wider world their enthusiasm about UU
ideas and conclusions, drawn from their faith, which influence their lives.
The Olympia Brown and Max Kapp Award
An award made to a ministerial
student who submits a paper, sermon or special project on some aspect of
Universalism. The entries are evaluated by an outside reader.
The David Pohl Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations upon Rev. Pohl's retirement
as UUA Director of Ministry in 1993. It supports the intellectual,
spiritual, and professional development of individuals preparing for UU
ministry.
Roy H. Pollack Scholarship
The Roy H. Pollack Scholarship was created in
1998 to support second or third year students who have strong academic records
and are promising candidates for UU ministry.
The Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship
This scholarship was established
in 1998 by Lorella and Todd Hess in honor of Lorella's father, Rev. Charles
Thomas, and his support of Unitarian Universalism and lay leadership. Rev.
Thomas is minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Lima, OH, and
affiliate minister of the Miami Valley Fellowship in Dayton, OH. The scholarship
is awarded to a in-coming first year student who has shown an outstanding
commitment to Unitarian Universalism as a lay leader before preparing for
Unitarian Universalist ministry.
This scholarship is given by public recommendation. Those who wish to submit a nomination should write a letter of recommendation showing a connection between the individual's ministry and their life goals along with examples of their strong leadership skills. Letters may be sent to: The Rev. David Pettee, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
The Von Ogden Vogt Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2001 by
Ogden and Carolyn Vogt to honor Carolyn's father, the Rev. Dr. Von Ogden Vogt,
and his dedication and commitment to Unitarian Universalism. Scholarships
are given to support intellectual, spiritual and professional development of
future Unitarian Universalist ministers who are attending Meadville Lombard
Theological School.
Ministerial Fellowship Committee Approved Career Centers
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Thursday, August 18, 2011.
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