Change is afoot in our congregations! Ready or not, we are all learning new skills and adapting old ways to meet emerging needs, especially your professional staff. Across our association,EN-US"> ministers, religious educators, administrators, music professionals and facilities staff have all stepped up andEN-US"> demonstrated that they are up EN-US">toEN-US"> theEN-US"> challengeEN-US">, sometimes “building the plane as they fly it.” As we enter our second year of virtual church and look ahead, EN-US">wouldn’t it be EN-US">great to build the planEN-US">eEN-US"> before it leaves the groundEN-US">?EN-US"> Now is a great time to ask: EN-US">aEN-US">re you EN-US">providing the resources EN-US">for yEN-US">our staffEN-US"> to EN-US">developEN-US"> the skillsEN-US"> they need to be EN-US">successful in this new paradigEN-US">m?
Serving in a congregation can be a lonely proposition and networking is critical to the success of our religious professionals. Learning together is one of the best ways to growEN-US"> the EN-US">skills and relationships that will enhance EN-US">anEN-US">yEN-US"> vocation. Professional organizations such as the UU Ministers Association (UUMA)EN-US"> andEN-US"> the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) offer trainings and opportunities for connection but congregations must also do their part EN-US">by providingEN-US"> both financial support and focused time for study.EN-US"> Our congregational staffEN-US"> also find EN-US">a growing need for skills that aren’t part of theEN-US">irEN-US"> typical EN-US">professional EN-US">toolboxEN-US">: things like EN-US">how to do EN-US">online learningEN-US"> or how to grow a virtual family ministry.
When thinking about professional support, don’t forget your musicians, administrators and membership professionals. Each of these areas has their own professional organizationEN-US"> and training opportunitiesEN-US">. Some of these are free, and some have costs. These groups have active facebook groups and email discuEN-US">ssion lists, collegial opportunities to gather virtually and shared learning opportunities. EN-US">These groups share information and research that benefits all congregations involved.EN-US"> But to access much of this content, one must be a member of the professional organization.
Your UUA EN-US">Congregational Life staff is working across regions to engage staff and leaders in collaborative learning to address emerging ways of “doing churchEN-US">” and we look forward to being in this work with you. Equipping EN-US">your ministries with the tools they will need as EN-US">we move through 2021 andEN-US"> into the future will EN-US">make our “return” one to truly celebrate!
Find youEN-US">r professional organization: