Outlining a process and following it closely will enable all of the involved parties to keep clear boundaries and honor everyone's dignity by keeping appropriate confidentiality.

Staff should practice well-boundaried relationships with the departing minister and help the congregation prepare for the new minister.

Leaving well is a time for reflecting on the ministry's accomplishments and lessons, and reassuring the congregation as they will move to a new future.

Congregations facing the departure of a minister should focus on ending the ministry well while planning for the future.

The Guidelines of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA) (Art. IX, Sec. C, D & E) mandate that the greatest sensitivity and care be exercised in the relations between the retired minister, the congregation and the new incumbent minister.

After a minister has retired from a congregation that they have served in a full, long, and mutually meaningful ministry, the congregation may wish to honor the shared ministry by designating them as minister emerit/us/a.

When a minister decides to retire, the first step is submitting the Intent to Retire Form to the UUA's Ministries and Faith Development staff.

The UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers the UURMaPA Retirement Guide (PDF). It's full of wisdom from the experience of dozens of retired ministers. It includes advice useful to ministers and partners contemplating retirement as well as those who have already retired.

Different types of ministerial departures tend to elicit reactions in a congregation. These different scenarios can give you a starting point as you lead your congregation through the transition.

The ending of a ministry is an opportunity for reflection and learning. The exit interview practice enables congregational leaders, ministers, and regional staff to assess the ministry of both the congregation and the minister during their tenure.The experience is both pastoral and educational.

Along with the robust year-long process for searching for and calling a settled minister (which is covenantal, long-term, open-ended relationship), the UUA Transitions Office also supports searches for various types of transitional ministries.

A detailed guide for congregations and contract ministers who wish to explore the possibility of a call to settled ministry after 2 years together.

Congregations and ministers that take the time to conclude a ministry well, to express gratitude and good wishes, set the tone for the next ministry partnership.

Guidance for ministerial searches, other parish ministry opportunities, sabbaticals, and retirement.

An overview and guide to ending the current ministry well, discerning the next kind of ministry needed, planning and supporting the search process, then a good beginning of the next ministry.

A brief and helpful overview of different types of UU Ministry to meet your needs.

We in the transitions office offer resources to assist congregational leaders, search teams, ministers, and regional staff throughout the search process, from planning for a departure to onboarding the new minister. Meet Our Transitions Staff!

In recent years, more congregations than ever before have chosen the contract search process over other types of ministry search, for several reasons.

Now in its second edition, this practical and insightful volume provides a road map for a transformative and fulfilling interim period.