The Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries
 

What Is Our Ministry?
Community ministry addresses the social and spiritual needs of people and organizations outside the direct care of congregations. 

Inspired by the religious values expressed in the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes, our work is guided by the Code of Professional Conduct and informed by our training and life experiences. Our practices bring knowledge, compassion and healing to the people in our care.

Community Ministers may be Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors, University or Theological School Faculty, Social Justice Activists, Denominational Officials, or practitioners of a wide range of other activities.

Members of our organization who do Community Ministry fall into one of four groups:

Lay-Members


Persons who are not clergy, but who are part of the Unitarian Universalist religious movement and dedicate themselves to its service by working in the wider community, are said to be Lay-Members of our organization 


At the local level they may carry a variety of titles depending on their roles and expertise. Often they are referred to as Lay-Community Ministers, and we fully support the use of that title.



Members in Transition


Persons who are not yet clergy, but who are entering the process of becoming a Unitarian Universalist clergy person and have stated a professional intention to work with the wider community, are said to be Unitarian Universalist Aspirants or Unitarian Universalist Candidates for Community Ministry.

Ordained Members


Persons who have been ordained by a congregation, who are now part of the Unitarian Universalist religious movement and dedicate themselves to its service by working in the wider community, are said to be Ordained Members within our organization.

Some ordained persons have come to us with ordinations from other religious communities. Some have been ordained by a Unitarian Universalist congregation but have not received approval from the national Unitarian Universalist Association or their previously granted preliminary fellowship status has lapsed.

In most local contexts they will use ministerial titles and forms of address, but they are not recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as having national status as a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Fellowshipped Members


Persons who have have had their ministerial status recognized by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and who have dedicated themselves to working in the wider community are said to be Fellowshipped Members of the Unitarian Universalist Association within our organization.

In most cases these members will also be ordained by a Unitarian Universalist congregation.

Such Members will be in Preliminary Fellowship or Final Fellowship. Members in Final Fellowship have completed all training and supervision requirements. This level of membership is the most rigorous recognized by our organization.

In almost all local contexts these members will use ministerial titles and forms of address. They are considered the peer of any other Unitarian Universalist Clergyperson.
People who are members of the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries, who follow our Code of Practice, and who are members in good standing of a Unitarian Universalist Congregation that formally recognizes their work, are said to practice a UUSCM-Endorsed Community Ministry.

UUSCM-Endorsement of a Community Ministry may be extended to a person who is in any of the four groups listed above.

Some of our members are also formally Affiliated as a Community Minister with a specific Unitarian Universalist congregation. Affiliation is a mutually beneficial relationship between the member and a congregation. It is required for Ordained and Fellowshipped Members in Preliminary Fellowship, and an optional level of local community involvement that other members may decide to include in their work.
 
 
© UU Society for Community Ministries