Last June Rev. Emily Bruce and Rev. Susan Chorley reached out to us on NER staff to ask what kind of gathering we could help them have with their neighboring congregations to work on building relationships, collaborating, and supporting each other. They and their ministers’ cluster were hoping something was possible.
The timing was incredible! Because we had just started sketching what became this year’s “joint leadership” gatherings. We heard feedback last year that participants wanted more interaction and learning from each other and we were building just that kind of a day.
A few weeks ago on a warm fall day, 42 people from eight congregations (not all of them served by a minister) gathered at our host congregation in Norwell, MA. They brought with them snacks and seltzers to share and the room buzzed with good energy. The kind that comes from meeting new people and realizing they’re facing similar challenges to you, and that they have similar commitments. Where you feel less alone.
The program moved from the big questions of what we are called to do in this moment and what these congregational leaders felt their congregations could do to “meet the moment” into more detailed sharing of challenges and ideas in key areas of congregational life. We ended with small groups that went deeper into specific areas wherein leaders felt they had something to share and learn together. A few collaborative ideas have emerged. And even if none of these ideas happen, these leaders now know they have neighbors they can call on.
This moment is a hard one. For all of us and all our congregations. It’s also a moment where our values and commitments are needed. We hear stories every day of how all of you are doing amazing and inspiring ministry. And stories of what’s hard. It’s both real.
The power of the Joint Leadership Retreat in Norwell was in gathering neighbors together. It matters to meet other UU leaders. It always does. We hear that from those who gather in our quarterly leadership on-line gatherings and from the leaders of small congregations who attended the online Joint Leadership Retreat for small congregations. And. Gathering with neighbors is extra special. These are the folks down the road or up the river. Who understand what living in a specific place feels like right now. Who can share programming from joint Our Whole Lives programs, to shared vigils, to family friendly retreats.
The gathering in Norwell happened because these congregations reached out to each other to find a good day, to recruit leaders to attend, to organize the details. We as your regional staff can’t guess what the right date is for your congregation and your neighbors. We have upcoming Joint Leadership Retreats in Winchendon, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. We’re working on dates with other groups around New England for winter and spring of 2026. If this sounds like something that would be good for your congregation, ask your leaders if they’re already part of a group planning to get together. If they’re not, reach out! Reach out to us and reach out to your neighbors to see if they’re interested too.