Welcome, Professional and Lay Leaders!

"The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. They seem to become natives of that element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half submerged balls." —Marge Piercy, "To Be of Use," copyright 1973, 1982 Related Content Discussion Forums Religious Education Social Justice

Unitarian Universalist leaders come in many forms. They are ordained, they are commissioned, they are elected, they are volunteer. In Unitarian Universalist congregations, they share in a commitment to help the community in which they minister—be it a congregation, a hospital, a group of elders, a community service organization—become strong through healthy behavior, development of mission and goals, an exploration of what it means to be a spiritual community, helping to form a vision of a person ministry.

The Unitarian Universalist Association is pleased to support our professional and lay leaders with a variety of resources. Those new to Lay Leadership can explore our Leadership QuickStart program, which meets those entering the ministry of leadership with quick tips, facts, and suggested reading to strengthen skills and confidence. Lay Leader Drive Time Essays are downloadable to your iPod or computer and can provide suggestions from experts on how to further develop your abilities and gifts. The Lay Leadership FAQ offers quick answers to some of the most common questions lay leaders encounter.

Unitarian Universalist ministry professionals might be Church Administrators, musicians serving in congregations, religious educators, or ordained leaders working in the larger community, as educators, or as parish ministers. Those preparing for Religious Education credentialing can find support and resources for all stages of their education and discernment process through the UUA's Religious Education credentialing office. Preparation for the ordained Unitarian Universalist ministry is rigorous and is supported through professionals on staff at UUA headquarters as well as regional committees on candidacy throughout North America. Services are provided to aid in settlement of our ordained leaders and their continuing education; important financial information for all ministry professionals is provided through the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances.

The UUA maintains close working relationships with five professional organizations which support ministry professionals: the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, the Society for Community Ministries, the Liberal Religious Educators Association, the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network, and the Association of Unitarian Universalist Musicians.

Our Moderator, Gini Courter, and our President, the Rev. William G Sinkford, are in relationship with presidents of Unitarian Universalist congregations and are working, along with members of the UUA District staff and presidents of UUA districts, to provide services which will strengthen the skill and deepen the commitment of you, our Unitarian Universalist leaders.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100