Regional Transitions Coaches
For all congregations in search for a minister, your support flows through the MidAmerica Region’s Transitions Program Manager, Christine Purcell. She should be your first line of contact: cpurcell@uua.org.
Christine Purcell is the Transitions Program Manager on the Congregational Life field staff team, serving in all five regions (Central East, New England, MidAmerica, Pacific Western, and Southern). She works closely with regional staff, congregational boards of trustees, search committees, and search committee coaches to support ministerial search processes. She is a member of the Congregational Life Leadership Team, and works in close partnership with our Transitions Office, Office of Church Staff Finance, and IT department.
Ministerial Transitions
The change of ministers in and out of a congregation is a time where lots of things are in motion, with lots of questions being asked, and lots of uncertainty in the air. As a minister, deciding when it’s right to leave and how best to do that; as a congregation, sorting out what are the next steps, and how do we say goodbye and move forward. It’s a time when everything can appear up for grabs, and most congregations and ministers are looking for support and answers.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and we’re here to help you. The MidAmerica Region has created and collated resources for you. Christine Purcell, cpurcell@uua.org, is the staff person who oversees the ministerial transitions for MidAmerica, and she works in tandem with Keith Kron, the Director of Transitions for the UUA. You will also be supported by Transitions Coaches—trained individuals who partner with your search committee on the road of ministerial succession. The resources on this page, and on the UUA Transitions page, will help you know how to start, and we’re always ready to answer specific questions for you, too. The answers are often a variation on common themes—the “usual” knowledge which might then need to be tweaked a bit for your congregation’s culture, and your unique situation.
Resources
Need information about Compensation and Benefits for your minister and/or church employees?
Search the LeaderLab resource library on Staffing and Supervision