11-05-2022 - 11-06-2022
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Saturday, November 5: Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop

9am-12noon: In Person and on Zoom

Saturday Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3844641385?pwd=VlE2NWIrRGZNZFlwQkg4SXFoVUo3Zz09

Think of a minister. Don’t think of an elephant.

Chances are you thought of both. And distinct images perhaps came to mind. In terms of a minister, what images came to mind? Was it a person of a particular gender, race, or age?

Beyond Categorical Thinking is a highly recommended part of the ministerial search process. When looking for the best match for our new minister, we could potentially overlook or even let biases keep us from recognizing that a particular person would be the best match for us. Some congregations simply assume their ideal minister looks a certain way. As a result, ministers who are not white or male or heterosexual or able-bodied or of a particular age or class are discounted and seen as “less than” in some ways. Ministers in our faith who are people of color, bisexual, gay, lesbian, female, transgender, differently-abled, young, old, ethnically different, or of a different class from many of us—all of these credentialed ministers still face discrimination as part of the ministerial search process.

On Saturday, November 5, we will have a trainer come and meet with our search committee and facilitate a 3-hour conversation in which we will have a chance to examine how we can avoid letting prejudice become a part of our search process.

This is yet another way for us to put our faith into lived experience and improve the odds that, regardless of identity, we will find the minister who is the best match for us and will serve us well.

This opportunity allows the entire congregation fuller participation in the search process. It will allow us to explore our hopes and concerns for a new minister, learn more about the search process, and see how our own history (both personal and congregational) might interfere with our efforts in this search.

So come on Saturday, November 5, to participate in this service provided by the UUA, whom our congregations have asked for help in this process.

Our trainer will be Keith Kron, Director UUA Transitions Office.

Refreshments and childcare will be provided. Click here to register. Registration is required if you would like to book childcare. 

We hope everyone will attend.

Sunday, November 6: Ministerial Search Q&A

9:30 am-10:30 am: In Person and on Zoom

Search Process forum. Rev. Kron will also lead a session on the ministerial search for Personal Theology. Please come with your curiosity and questions. All are welcome to attend.

Sunday Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99027634430