Building Collegiality
As a transitioning specialist, my connection with other religious professional colleagues is very important to me. I hold serious my covenant with colleagues in the UU Ministers Association (UUMA). As regularly as possible, I attend meetings of this professional group at national, chapter, and cluster levels. Especially during these past two years of pandemic closures, I have been so supported by outreach from the UUMA. Currently I am a member of two UUMA geographic chapters and one non-geographic group. I benefit from monthly UUMA chapter meetings, which offer time for check-in, as well as professional development in topics such as ministering to trauma in congregations, countering white supremacy, etc. I believe that our UUMA covenant also calls us to volunteer service and leadership for our chapters to the extent possible: pre-pandemic I often served as “resident” musician for chapter events. I offer leadership of chapter programs on average once a year. For three years (2014-2017) I served on the national UUMA Berry Street Essay committee and am one of the authors of a 2021 publication, The Through Line: 200 Years of the Berry Street Essay.
My covenant with colleagues also extends to attending "Rites of Passage" such as ordinations, installations and, regrettably, memorial services, for me colleagues. I also build connections with ministerial colleagues as well as lay leaders through work in UU history. For example, in 2020 I participated in the 250th anniversary of Universalism sponsored by Murray Grove Retreat Center and I have been on the steering committee which has created the recently-announced UU Studies Network.
I also endeavor to represent UU ministry at community interfaith ministry and justice-making activities. These past two years of ministry during pandemic in Muncie have limited by interfaith connections, but in my previous ministry in Lancaster I regularly participated in community worship services and public advocacy with the Lancaster Interfaith Coalition.
My covenant with colleagues also extends to attending "Rites of Passage" such as ordinations, installations and, regrettably, memorial services, for me colleagues. I also build connections with ministerial colleagues as well as lay leaders through work in UU history. For example, in 2020 I participated in the 250th anniversary of Universalism sponsored by Murray Grove Retreat Center and I have been on the steering committee which has created the recently-announced UU Studies Network.
I also endeavor to represent UU ministry at community interfaith ministry and justice-making activities. These past two years of ministry during pandemic in Muncie have limited by interfaith connections, but in my previous ministry in Lancaster I regularly participated in community worship services and public advocacy with the Lancaster Interfaith Coalition.
I also enjoy the benefits of collegial relationships in the interfaith Interim Ministry Network. For me, as my connections with colleagues are strengthened, so I am strengthened in my leadership to congregations.
Megan's ordination, June 2019: Offering the Hand of Fellowship