UUA Congregational Life

Icons showing resources connected by a colorful network.

Resources and More

We have a growing library of online resources: Meet your field staff, learn about good safety practices, train your leaders, support your staff, certify and update your congregation's information.

Congregations & Leaders

The regional Congregational Life staff are congregations' local connection to the UUA. All of the program Congregational Life staff have expertise in most aspects of congregational life and each also has a few program areas of expertise.

The mission of Congregational Life staff is to:

  • Coach: Congregations feel supported in their work, both structural and missional
  • Connect: Congregations feel they are a part of a larger Association
  • Challenge: Congregations understand their covenantal relationship with their UUA
  • Companion: Congregations feel known, cared for, heard, seen and affirmed

About Our Regions

Stated simply we strive to serve interdependence, innovation, and impact.

Congregational Life is made up of five regional field staff teams led by the Director of Congregational Life that work with district and regional boards to support the health and growth of congregations and other Unitarian Universalist communities.

Group Photo of Congregational Life Staff in January 2018

Who to Call for Support

UUA Regional Map

Staff

Central East Region

MidAmerica Region

New England Region

Pacific Western Region

Southern Region

HOPE for Us Conflict Engagement Team

Online Discussions and Groups

To join the conversation with the Congregational Life team and other congregational leaders, please explore these online discussions and groups:

From UUA Congregational Life

Displaying 11 - 20 of 201

Supervision in Youth Ministry

UUA Congregational Life

Appropriate supervision of employees and volunteers is a key to safety youth ministry. Regular support and guidance for adults working with youth helps those adults hold appropriate boundaries and holds them accountable following the congregation's policies. 
...
Training for Safety in Youth Ministry

UUA Congregational Life

In youth ministry, safety training is needed for youth, youth leaders, advisors, and parents. Adults and youth need to be on the same page and have a shared understanding of expectations for themselves and others, the responsibilities and requirements of adults working with youth, as well as the...
Screening Adults in Youth Ministry

UUA Congregational Life

In our dedication to providing the safest possible environment for those we serve, we conduct background checks on adults working with our youth:
...
Hiring for Safety in Youth Ministry

UUA Congregational Life

Adults working with youth must be at least twenty­-five years old to participate in youth events organized by the UUA, and most regions and congregations have a similar policy. This has been the practice in youth programs for decades because it helps clarify the different roles of youth and adults...
UU youth huddle in a circle.
Fourteen Recommended Practices for Safety in Youth Ministry

UUA Congregational Life

Recommended practices from UUA staff for congregations to keep teenage youth safer from harm.
Live Webinars

UUA Congregational Life

Here are upcoming "live" learning opportunities!
Channeling Success with Mark Bernstein
Growth and Vitality On-Demand Webinars

UUA Congregational Life

Note to Focus Group Members: Please feel free to comment at the bottom of the page to share your feedback. -Jonipher and Renee Learn how triangulated...
"To Do" list for leaders: Understand Bylaws, Dynamics of Conflict, etc.
Leadership Development Programs in Your Congregation

UUA Congregational Life, Renee Ruchotzke

We offer affordable leadership development courses so you can spend your energy on relationships and connecting individuals to meaningful service.

GA Presentations | General Assembly

UUA brand video thumbnail
Living Your Purpose I: Core Values and Mission

Joe Sullivan, UU Congregation of Binghamton, Binghamton, NY, UUA Congregational Life

From General Assembly Presentations
Purpose-filled people are misson-driven

LeaderLab

Torso and upper legs of a person in jeans and a tweed jacket carrying a thick book and leather messenger bag.
Can We Hire a Non-UU Minister?

UUA Congregational Life

From LeaderLab
Guidance and caution when your congregation is looking to hire a minister that is not in fellowship with the UUA.

For more information contact .