Endorsed Community Ministry
at
Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Introduction

Currently, within the Unitarian Universalist Association, there are three different ministerial tracks: Parish Ministry, Ministry of Religious Education and Community Ministry. While the first two tracks are well known, the third may not be. "Community Ministers" are persons qualified to perform ministries of counseling, chaplaincy, social justice, education in religious studies, or other such ministries as the UUA's Ministerial Fellowship Committee may recognize.

Although Parish Ministers and Ministers of Religious Education are clearly tied in structured institutional ways to congregational life, community ministers commonly are not. To address this concern, the UUA Department of Ministry and the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, together with the UU Ministers Association and other interested groups and councils, are currently examining ways of strengthening the institutional ties and accountability between Community Ministers and various Unitarian Universalist institutions-especially UU churches. Rule 18 of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee requires that a community minister "maintain ties and receive endorsement by one or more of the following: A UUA member congregation, authorized District body, UUA Associate Member organization, or the UUA. Endorsement includes a pledge of continuing relationship and support and affirmation that the work is recognized by the endorsing body as ministry."

The following proposal, which has close parallels with the agreement at University Unitarian Church in Seattle, the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, and the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee seeks to provide one way of more closely linking UU Community Ministers to the Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, for the mutual benefit of both the church and the Community Ministers.

In putting forth this proposal, as a matter of policy, it is necessary to first describe how a UU Community Minister might formally become endorsed by our congregation, i.e., without reference to any specific Community Minister.

I. Basics of Endorsement

1. An Endorsed Community Minister at the Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation would be all of the following:
   1. Recommended by the Minister of the Congregation
   2. Recommended by the Board of Trustees for the Congregation
   3. Endorsed by a vote of the congregation at a congregational meeting
2. The following Terms of Understanding are to be approved by:
   1. The Parish Minister
   2. The Endorsed Community Minister
   3. The Board of Trustees of the church

II. Terms of Understanding

1. The duties of the Endorsed Community Minister shall be agreed upon by the Parish Minister and the Community Minister. The Parish Minister clearly has overall responsibility for ministerial leadership within the church and, thus, appropriately shall take the lead in seeking clearer delineation of responsibility, accountability, and channels of communication as responsibilities, roles, and relations are negotiated and, as needed, renegotiated. As stated in the UUMA's Code of Professional Practice, the Endorsed Community Minister "...will in all ways honor the priority of the [Parish Minister(s)] call to the ministry of that congregation, and...will carefully shun inappropriate influence which other members may tend to yield." At the same time the Parish Ministers shall earnestly seek to respect the calling, strengths, and sensibilities of the Endorsed Community Minister, taking care to work collaboratively in a spirit of mutual cooperation and consultation.
2. Referrals to the Endorsed Community Minister shall be in such a manner as the Parish Minister and Endorsed Community Minister shall agree.
3. Endorsed Community Ministers are neither employed by, nor paid by, the church on any continuing basis. When Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation members receive pastoral services from the Endorsed Community Minister, there shall be no charge. When the Endorsed Community Minister officiates at a wedding, funeral or memorial service, or provides other ministerial services at the church, he or she will be paid by the individuals involved at UUMA recommended rates. This is true for services rendered to members as well as non-members of the Congregation. And, when the Endorsed Community Minister preaches at the Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, standard UUMA preaching fees will be charged, unless specifically waived by the Endorsed Community Minister. If the Endorsed Community Minister is asked to take the ministers place in a prolonged absence or sabbatical, the Endorsed Community Minister shall be paid at a mutually agreed to rate.
4. The Endorsed Community Minister shall have access to the congregational facilities, consistent with already agreed-to terms with the landlord, photocopier, telephone, etc. conduct activities connected with my ministry to the congregation, and the wider UU community. There should not be any significant financial impact for the use of the church office or equipment beyond what is currently budgeted. If there is, the cost will be covered by special contributions or grants, and will be made explicit as part of the annual budget plan
5. The Endorsed Community Minister shall be identified as such on all staff lists and annual reports to the UUA and other regional institutions, on the Order of Service covers, etc., as space permits. The Endorsed Community Minister may serve as a Ministerial Delegate from our Society at the annual UUA General Assembly. This does not reduce the number of lay or Ministerial Delegates apportioned to our Congregation.
6. The Endorsed Community Minister shall meet with the Parish Minister at least four times a year in order to review their relationship with one another, and within the life of the congregation. Responsibility for initiating these meetings shall rest with the Endorsed Community Minister.
7. The Endorsed Community Minister shall write an annual report of his/her activities, which shall be included in the Congregation's Annual Report.
8. The Endorsed Community Minister will have access to a Ministerial Relations Committee to assist the Endorsed Community Minister toward completing requirements of Final Fellowship, and to further professional development.
9. The UUMA Code of Professional Practice shall be carefully observed by both the Parish Ministers(s) and the Endorsed Community Minister. If difficulties arise, various resources may be called upon, including the Good Offices program of the UUMA. The Endorsed Community Minister may resign upon 30 days notice. Upon recommendation of the Parish Ministers and/or with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees, the Endorsed Community Minister's relationship with the Congregation may be terminated upon 30 days notice. Should the Parish Minister resign, the Endorsed Community Minister shall seek to establish a harmonious working relationship and a covenant with the new Minister(s).
10. Reimbursement for expenses for congregation-related business will be negotiated on a case by case basis.
11. Changes in this document may be made by agreement between the ministers concerned, and shall be effective 60 days after written notice of the change is given to the Board of Trustees, unless the Board votes to delay, or reject the change.

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