Contract Ministry Search Calendars for 2026 For Both "Prime Time" and Open Searches

Part of A Guide to Transitional Ministry

These are the important dates and milestones for contract ministry searches (both “prime time” and open), for ministers, search committees, and governing boards.

Download the Contract Search Calendar (PDF)

Primetime Contract Ministry Search

Primetime Contract Ministry Search
DatesTaskWhose Is This?Notes
<6 months from the end of the current ministryCongregation submits Notice of Ministerial TransitionBoard 
FallBoard consults with regional Congregational Life staff and/or Congregational Transitions Director cpurcell@uua.org. Board reviews and follows guidance in Guide to Contract MinistryBoard 
02 December 2025 -
15 February 2026		UUA publishes search profileSearch team and UUATransitions team, current minister and regional staff provide feedback on profile before publication 
02 January, 2026UUA Transitions Team begins to release applicant names and search material to the search teamUUA Transitions TeamThe UUA Transitions Team will release names of applicants every weekday after 02 January
02 January-Early MarchSearch team reviews applicants’ materials, shares link to documents packet with all applicants, receives references from applicants, conducts research calls on top applicants with UUA staffSearch team/applicantsSearch team reviews applicant records and shares documents packets with applicants. Team asks applicants for references (of applicants’ choosing)
Early January-mid MarchVideo interviews of applicantsSearch team and ministers 
Monday, 23 MarchMinisters submit ranked yes/maybe/no list to Transitions TeamMinistersMinister’s ranking of congregations
Monday, 23 MarchSearch teams submit ranked yes/maybe/no list to Transitions TeamSearch teamSearch team’s ranking of ministers
Tuesday, 24 MarchUUA Transitions Team distills matchesUUA Transitions TeamUUA Transitions Team will verify everything but mutual #1 matches (ties, second choices)
Wednesday, 25 MarchUUA Transitions Team confirms matchesUUA Transitions TeamUUA Transitions Team contacts both search teams and ministers
Thursday, 26 MarchOffers can be made and acceptedSearch team/ministersNoon Eastern/11 am Central/ 10 am Mountain/9 am Pacific
after 26 Marchcontract negotiations, criminal background check, announcement to congregationBoard and ministerNote: The newly hired minister will need to announce their departure to their current congregation before their hire can be announced

Open Contract Ministry Search

Open Contract Ministry Search
DatesTaskWhose Is This?Notes
<6 months from the end of the current ministryCongregation submits Notice of Ministerial TransitionBoard 
Winter-Spring 2025-2026 Board consults with regional Congregational Life staff and/or Congregational Transitions Director cpurcell@uua.org. Board reviews and follows guidance in Guide to Contract MinistryBoard 
After 01 April 2026UUA publishes search profileSearch team and UUATransitions team, current minister and regional staff provide feedback on profile before publication 
April 2026 and beyondUUA Transitions Team begins to release applicant names and search material to the search teamUUA Transitions TeamThe UUA Transitions Team will release names of applicants every weekday 
April 2026 and beyondSearch team reviews applicants’ materials, shares link to documents packet with all applicants, receives references from applicants, conducts research calls on top applicants with UUA staff, conducts video interviewsSearch team/applicantsSearch team reviews applicant records and shares documents packets with applicants. Team asks applicants for references (of applicants’ choosing)
April 2026 and beyondSearch team makes the verbal offer to the top candidate or makes a hiring recommendation to the board, as predetermined by the board Search team/board,
candidate		Offers may be made and accepted at will in the open contract search process
April 2026 and beyondcontract negotiations, criminal background check, announcement to congregationBoard and ministerNote: The newly hired minister will need to announce their departure to their current congregation before their hire can be announced
April 2026 and beyondNotify UUA Transitions Team when your search is complete. Dismiss any applicants whom you will not hire in the Ministry Search systemSearch team and UUA Transitions TeamUUA Transitions Team will archive your search and send you a form to update your and the new minister’s records on file with the UUA