Minister and Staff

interlocking arms

Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica. Let us help you understand a bit about how this faith community might be different from another you may have experienced or heard about.

Unitarian Universalist Ministers and staff (or contractors) are chosen by leaders of the church rather than the governing denomination. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica currently has part time and contract- based ministry which is reviewed and renewed. (Congregations able to financially support full time ministry generally involve additional steps to “call” a minister through approval by the voting membership.)

Ministers and congregations of all sizes engage in a search process where each articulates who they are and who and what they want to become. With the hope of making a “good match”, they interview one another, check references and ask more questions. Generally, staff such as Office Manager, Sexton and financial experts will go through a similar process.

Once a minister, staff or contractor accepts an invitation to serve the congregation, contracts will be written and signed, and covenants will be shaped to guide how we try to interact. The intention here is to do our best to treat one another with respect, learn how to work well with one another, and work together to support the vision of the congregation and faith.

The Board and Minister work together in partnership, building in ways to assess their work together on behalf of the congregational vision and mission. Congregational leadership will find ways to encourage congregational conversation about how the ministry is going. Staff are supervised by the Minister.

We hope this introduction has been helpful to you. Please feel free to get in touch with the minister, Board President or other Board members if you have questions.

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