Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4) is designed to help congregations in the ministerial search process. The workshop addresses issues around race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, visible and invisible disabilities and health concerns, and sexual orientation.

The UUA and applicant ministers expect that search teams will hold a B4 weekend, and applicant ministers should ask search teams what their congregations learned from the experience.

The search fee covers the cost of the facilitator. There is no additional cost for the Zoom workshop version. There would be an additional cost for an in-person workshop to cover travel and hospitality expenses for the facilitator.

Why B4?

Congregational members, and leaders, particularly, are responsible for awareness of their personal implicit and overt biases and for countering systemic and personal biases during and beyond the interim period. All search team members, board members, and other people in church leadership should take part in the B4 workshop and strongly encourage all congregants to attend.

Details about B4

Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4)A Workshop/Worship Experience for Congregations Preparing for a Ministerial Search

Works with Unitarian Universalist congregations to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent unfair discrimination in the ministerial search process.

Break Barriers, Build Beliefs (B4)

Role of the B4 Coordinator

Application

The B4 coordinator, fills out the application (with help from staff and leaders). The search team should coordinate with the interim minister to identify available weekends for the programming. The search team will need to list a minimum of two weekend options on the application, though three is ideal. Please submit applications no earlier than July 15. See How to Apply for more detail.

Logistics

• The B4 coordinator publicizes the UUA’s B4 survey (separate from the congregational assessment) which the facilitator er will use to customize your congregation’s B4 programming.
• Often, there is a meeting between the facilitator(s) and the search team at some point during the weekend. Please check with your facilitator about scheduling this.
• The B4 coordinator will receive a link to a Dropbox folder that includes the handouts that need to be printed for the participants. There are also materials for children, if desired, as youth are encouraged to attend the workshop.
• The congregation should provide someone to set up the meeting space and a technical
  host.
• If the search team requests an in-person B4 workshop, the UUA will assess an added fee (separate from the search support fee) from the congregation and reimburse the facilitator for all travel and hospitality expenses. The fee structure and information about payment can be found on the application form.
• In the case of an in-person workshop, assist the facilitator as needed for local hotel, restaurant, and transport recommendations.
• The search team should provide copy of the B4 application and a summary of what they learned about the congregation from the B4 to applicants in their documents packet.
• Make sure the post-workshop evaluation is completed

Time Requirement

Scheduling should happen during the summer after July 15. The B4 workshop should happen anytime from late August to December.

Key Dates

• July to October: Search team completes and submits B4 application
• August-November: Search team and facilitator(s) coordinate weekend
• September-December: Workshop occurs