Dear Leaders, This is the most heartbreaking, difficult, and important time I have experienced in ministry. The layers of trauma, anger, grief, power, and hope—they are all present in our bodies and souls. As religious leaders, we tend to these in ourselves and we give them voice and space in...

In March of 2020, as COVID-19 was taking hold, the Office of Church Staff Finances offered recommendations to congregations regarding staffing and finances through June. Now, in early June, we have issued a comprehensive memo with updated guidance: Staffing and Finances for July and Beyond. This...

One way UU congregations live our values is through our Safe Congregations committees and policies to create a safer and more welcoming community for all. Visit the Safe Congregations pages for complete information. Below are some particular areas to pay attention to during online programming for...

In April of this year, in Washington DC, my Aunt Mae learns that she has to fight an aggressive cancer that is overtaking her blood system. She is shipped to a low-standard hospital, rather than to the better hospital closer to her home.

We're living through complicated times. Let your staff know that you value them. Support them well!

Dear Leaders, We have a big experiment coming up for the Unitarian Universalist Association and that is our first ever Virtual General Assembly (GA) – our annual gathering of UUs from across our congregations and across the world – happening June 24-28! I invite you, as leaders in your...

Dear Leaders, As we plan for an extended period of virtual gatherings, we recognize now more than ever just how much we need each other. Your Congregational Life staff of the UUA is grateful for the opportunity to share President Susan Frederick-Gray’s weekly message because it is important to us...

But what if you’re called on to stage a full congregational meeting, with formal debate on motions followed by auditable voting? Here's a robust sample procedure manual!

When his brother died of COVID-19, Mark Hicks helped to plan a meaningful memorial for his family. This is his story.

Companioning one another spiritually is one of the most important ministries of a faith community. This two-part training has been created for non-ordained congregational leaders.

Moving meaningful small group interactions such as covenant groups or chalice circles, to an online format will require intentionality. Here are some practices to get you started.

Dear Leaders, As states around the country begin to loosen guidelines and take actions to reopen, even as COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to climb, we have received many questions from congregations about returning to in-person gatherings....

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray shares her weekly message with UUA Organizing Strategy Director Rev. Ashley Horan to provide an update on how UU the Vote is pivoting in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

We go over the basics of how to have a congregational meeting on Zoom, including registration options, polling options, and security controls.

we hear from leaders of how they are adapting; review virtual offerings, and discuss updates for online youth safety guidelines

Dear Leaders, What is giving you comfort, courage, and compassion these days? How are you caring for your well-being and resilience? Two weeks ago, it became clear to me that my normal spiritual practices were not cutting it. I felt so worn down. I had a longing for more time to be present to the...

“Specialists without spirit, sensualists without heart; this nullity imagines that it has attained a level of civilization never before achieved.” ―Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Raise your hand if you believe you’re not doing enough right now. Do you feel like...

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is real for all of us, whether we are touched by it directly or indirectly. Some of us know people who have the virus, and its impact is getting closer as we learn of second cousins and friends of friends who have died of COVID-19....

For our recent annual meeting, we utilized the Zoom polling feature to conduct the votes on the business. It worked well (once we sorted through some of the following complications), and it provided fast returns on the questions....

Dear Leaders, Someone said to me recently, “We pull through this by pulling together.” Those words have stayed with me. They remind me that I am not in this alone, that we are in this together, and that we are strong when we lean on each other and pull together. This week marks the beginning of...