Orientation for Incoming Ministers to the Southwest Chapter of the UUMA

2011 Annual Retreat Information  - information coming

 Tradition of Mutual Support 

Role of Ministers in District 

 Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SWUUSI) 

General Information about Our Annual Retreat

Our Tradition of Mutual Support (a.k.a. Our Discipline) 

Before there were Districts of the UUA, and before there was the UUA, there were a few scattered congregations throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana. The ministers and lay leaders of these congregations gathered themselves together into the Southwestern Unitarian Conference so that they could be in relationship with each other.

Clergy and lay leaders have supported each other since the beginning and have developed a noncompetitive understanding of responsibilities and roles.

Our of this honored tradition the clergy practice a way of supporting and loving each other known as our discipline.

We nurture the lateral relationships of member congregations

Every colleague has the opportunity to serve in the various roles of the clergy in our UUMA Chapter and SWUUC without prejudice or popularity as factors. A roster is kept in which each colleague, in turn, is responsible for certain aspects of our clergy responsibilities in the Conference.

If a colleague asks something of us we say "yes." Therefore one colleague does not ask anything lightly, of another.

We value our times together and believe our presence at Conference events is important. Therefore we have the expectation of being together at the January Chapter Retreat, the Spring Annual Meeting, and at SWUUSI.

At each gathering of our ministers, one of our senior members reiterates Our Discipline as a reminder that we are all in this together, we are here to help one another as colleagues, and as ministerial leaders we are committed to keeping our connection with lay leaders strong and vital. It is spoken in the spirit of love and mutual support which we expect will always be a mark of our Southwest UUMA Chapter. 

April 2001

Role of Ministers in District   

1. District Offices. By tradition, Ministers aren't District Officers.
 
2. Minister on District Board: Three ministers are Directors on the SWUUC Board. Each year a minister is nominated for a three year term according to his or her position on the rotation.
 
3. Ministers are involved in District. The Southwest District owes much of its vitality and strength to the active involvement of ministers in all areas. We celebrate this tradition and encourage every minister in the chapter to contribute to the District.
 
4. SWUUSI Adult program chair. A minister is the Adult Program chair at SWUUSI.
 
5. District Nominating Committee. A minister may chair the District nominating committee
 
6. Ministerial Settlement Representative: By tradition, a minister fills the role of MSR. This is currently a point of dispute between the UUMA Chapter, the District, and the UUA. The Unitarian Universalist Association appoints MSR's and wants more lay MSR's. Many in the local chapter and District regard this as unwarranted interference by the UUA. 

Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SWUUSI) 

1. When and Where: SouthWest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute is usually held from Sunday afternoon through Friday morning about the first week of August. It is held at Lake Texoma Resort which is a few miles west of Durant, OK.
 
2. Registration: Ministers are officially excused from paying the SWUUSI registration fee. This is in recognition of the fact that ministers lead most of the workshops.  You are expected to pay for your food and lodging.
 
3. Adult Program Director: By tradition, the role of Adult Program Director is filled by a minister. This is one of the responsibilities assigned by length of settlement. The Adult Program Director selects the Theme speaker, Sunset Talk speaker, and worship leaders. In addition, he or she is responsible for SWUUSI adult workshops.
 
4. Sunset Talks: The Adult Program Director selects a minister to give the Sunset Talks, a 45 minute presentation given each evening on the lawn outside the main lodge.
 
5. Morning Worship: The Adult Program Director selects a different minister to lead each morning worship. Traditionally, ministers attending SWUUSI for the first time are invited in order to introduce them to the District.
 
6. Minister's Lunch: Ministers meet for lunch every day during SWUUSI. If you can’t come every day, please do try to come on Monday as it is the best attended day. Children and partners are welcome.

Annual Retreat

When and Where: We usually hold our chapter retreat from Monday afternoon through Thursday morning during the last week of January.

Cost: Financial assistance, if needed, is available through the Chapter President.

Odysseys: Two colleagues are invited to give an odyssey.

Opening Check-in. We expect participants to arrive in time for check-in and to hold any sensitive disclosures in strict confidence.

Status of Students. Students preparing for the UU ministry are invited and welcome to attend Chapter meetings if they have achieved official candidate status as defined by the UUA Department of Ministry and have applied for student membership in UUMA. Requirements for Candidate Status includes but is not limited to the following:  

• Completion of the equivalent of at least one academic year of full time study for the ministry.
 
• Completion of the career assessment survey and release of the results to the UUA Department of Ministry.
 
• Sponsorship by a UU congregation.