Ordination is the congregational act of bestowing formal recognition of a minister's authority. An installation is the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister.
The UUA's Ordination and Installation Handbook (PDF) was edited by Rev. Erika Hewitt, with content written by Rev. Wendy Bartel, Rev. Mary Gear, Rev. Jennifer Ryu, and Rev. Connie Simon.
We're grateful to all others who contributed their words, ideas, and experience to this document—including the process of updating it regularly. Indeed, the original 2019 handbook was updated in April 2023 to reflect shifting needs.
Our Ministerial Credentialing page contains information about the process of working towards ordination.
Toggle to filter resultsAvailable filters:
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword or changing the number of items per page requires use of the "Search" button.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8
-
Is a calling a feeling of joy, of completeness in your work?Reading | By Megan Foley | May 22, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Direct Experience, Leadership, Ordinations, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship -
As you go forth into this new phase of your life’s adventure...Blessing | By Julia Corbett-Hemeyer | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth, Earth-Centered, Installations, Leadership, Nature, Ordinations -
• It takes a spark. • It takes fuel. • It takes air. • And it takes a container to hold them all. It is only with all of these things that we make fire. • It takes a call. • It takes learning and experience • It takes love. • And it takes a community to hold them all. It is only with...Chalice Lighting | By Christian Schmidt | January 16, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Direct Experience, Leadership, Ordinations, Relationships -
This is the hour. The time has come. Mindful of our responsibilities as leaders of this faith and guardians of the living tradition, we call upon that great cloud of witnesses—those who came before, those who are here now and those who have yet to come. We seek their presence, love and support in...Chalice Lighting | By Connie Simon | December 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Business Meetings, Calling, Generations, Governance, Leadership, Ordinations, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Responsibility, Secular, Teamwork, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Wisdom -
Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson, is a novel that takes the form of a letter or journal that a dying, elderly Congregationalist minister in Gilead, Iowa, writes to his 7-year old son in 1956 – written so that one day the boy will know something about his father’s life and character. In this passage...Reading | By Marilynne Robinson | March 10, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Animal Blessing, Animals, Awe, Calling, Christianity, Faith, Leadership, Ministry, Ordinations, Power, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
In the struggles we choose for ourselves, in the ways we move forward in our lives and bring our world forward with us, It is right to remember the names of those who gave us strength in this choice of living. It is right to name the power of hard lives well-lived. We share a history with those...Affirmation | By Kathleen McTigue | April 26, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Día de los Muertos, Generations, History, Justice, Leadership, Memorial Services, Ordinations, Progress, Responsibility -
Ministry is a quality of relationship between and among human beings that beckons forth hidden possibilities; inviting people into deeper, more constant, more reverent relationship with the world and with one another; carrying forward a long heritage of hope and liberation that has dignified and...Reading | By Gordon B McKeeman | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Compassion, Healing, Installations, Leadership, Ordinations, Presence, Service, Teacher Dedication, Unitarian Universalism -
Let us be in the spirit of prayer. In this precious moment in which we set apart and ordain a woman to our ministry, we pause to give thanks for this religious community of free spirits of which we are a part....Prayer | By William E Gardner | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Leadership, Ministry, Ordinations, Responsibility, Service