Embracing the Call: The UUSCM Faith Endorsement for UU Professional Chaplains
The Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries (UUSCM) extends a sacred invitation to those Unitarian Universalists discerning a call to professional chaplaincy. Our Faith Endorsement process is a focused spiritual and vocational assessment, designed for individuals seeking certification by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCi).
UUSCM is a vibrant covenantal community of ordained and lay ministers dedicated to serving the wider world beyond congregational walls. We champion diverse ministries that strive to heal brokenness, embody justice, inspire humanity towards its highest aspirations, and cultivate profound harmony with the Spirit of Life. This endorsement pathway, created in collaboration with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), offers a distinct route to BCCi certification, centering on your lived UU faith without requiring UUA Ministerial Fellowship.
The Essence of UUSCM Faith Endorsement:
This endorsement affirms your deep grounding in Unitarian Universalist traditions, your capacity to articulate and embody our living faith, and your commitment to serve as a professional chaplain with integrity and compassion. It is a testament to your journey of preparation to minister in diverse settings, upholding UU values.
What UUSCM Offers Our Members:
- Faith Endorsement Process for BCCi Certification
- Engaging First Friday Monthly Conversation Salons
- A guiding Code of Professional Practice
- Supportive Good Officer resources
- An enriching Annual Convocation
- Tools for Congregational Affiliation and Covenants
- A Collegial Community fostering supportive relationships
The Endorsement Journey: A Path of Discernment and Affirmation
Applicants undertake a rigorous process demonstrating active engagement with Unitarian Universalism, a nuanced understanding of UU identity and values, and a profound commitment to manifesting these principles as a BCCi-certified chaplain.
Endorsements are granted for five years, aligning with the BCCi recertification cycle, and require ongoing adherence to UUSCM standards and periodic renewal. Requirements are subject to change; please initiate the UUSCM Endorsement Inquiry & Registration or contact uuscministry@gmail.com for the most current information.
General Requirements for BCCi Certification:
Schedule of Interviews
Spring Interview Cycle
February 1 - Deadline for Faith Endorsement consideration for Spring Interviews
March 1 - Notification to Applications regarding application and interview dates
March/April - Scheduled interview date with the UUSCM Endorsement Panel. These will happen via Zoom until further notice.
May 15 - Notification of Faith Endorsement decision.
Fall Interview Cycle
August 1 - Deadline for Faith Endorsement consideration for Fall Interviews
September 1 - Notification to Applications regarding application and interview dates
September/October - Scheduled interview date with the UUSCM Endorsement Panel. These will happen via Zoom until further notice.
November 15 - Notification of Faith Endorsement decision.
Stage 1: Endorsement Application Requirements
● UUSCM Endorsement Inquiry & Registration (required to receive Faith Endorsement application form and current requirements)
● Current UUSCM Membership
● Sponsoring Congregational Letter of Affiliation and Covenant of Right Relationship
Downloadable Sample Template for Congregational Letter of Affiliation
Downloadable Sample Template for Covenant of Right Relationship
● Personal Statement demonstrating grounding and knowledge in Unitarian Universalism (Maximum 500 words)
● UUSCM Required Coursework related to Unitarian Universalism (see list at link below)
● UUSCM Required Unitarian Universalist Reading (see list at link below)
List of Required Coursework and Reading (Google doc):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XnLMRnEpVEG3A0hXTA8Eju5dh4yaiDy-VuKHwPdoCC0/edit
● Complete Endorsement Application Form
● Attending real-time Endorsement Interview
● Documentation of completing, or progress towards, BCCi/APC requirements
● Statement of progress and anticipated plan towards completing requirements
● Copy of a clinical contact/verbatim
● Copy of academic transcripts
● Application Fee of $150 USD. A financial hardship reduced fee of $50.00 USD with a financial hardship is available upon request.
● Optional but encouraged: Engage with a UUSCM Chaplain Mentor.
Stage 2: Endorsement Interview & Decision
● Candidates who meet the application requirements will be invited for a real-time interview
● Interview will focus on your commitment to Unitarian Universalism, and your capacity to represent Unitarian Universalism beyond the congregational setting.
● Post-Interview candidates will receive a phone call informing them of the endorsement panel decision within 48 hours. An email documenting the decision will follow.
● Panel decisions are as follows:
● Endorsement Granted. No further action required.
● Endorsement Provisionally Granted. Additional work to address concerns must be completed.
● Endorsement Delayed. Additional work and a second interview are required.
● Endorsement Denied. You may appeal the decision through the UUSCM Good Officer.
Stage 3: Maintaining Endorsement
● UUSCM will directly inform BCCi/APC of your Unitarian Universalist Faith Endorsement.
● Adhere to the UUSCM Code of Ethics
● Maintaining your Congregational Affiliation. Provide any changes to your affiliation to UUSCM.
● Notify UUSCM of any changes to your BCCi/APC status.
● Renewal Application.
● Optional but encouraged: UUSCM Chaplain Mentor, Chaplain Commissioning Ceremony
Historically Marginalized Identities
UUSCM is committed to removing barriers faced by individuals who have been historically marginalized as a result of their identity. Candidates are encouraged to contact UUSCM should they experience a barrier, provide details of barrier, and provide a proposed alternative that would satisfy the spirit and requirements of the UUSCM Credentialed Chaplain endorsement process.
Accountability
UUSCM holds all endorsed chaplains to the UUSCM Code of Ethics and requirements for maintaining endorsement. In the event of a sustained grievance against an endorsement chaplain, UUSCM may determine consequences including revoking endorsement privileges. Please contact UUSCM uuscministry@gmail.com regarding any grievance or questions about the process.
BCCi Faith Endorsement Requirement
BCCi values the work of discernment and endorsement undertaken by the many spiritual and faith groups who prepare and support leaders for service within their organizations and as public representatives. We look to our endorsers for confirmation of certified chaplain’s spiritual/religious identities and practices. For more information about BCCi, please visit https://bcci.professionalchaplains.org/.
Rev. Justin William Almeida (he/they) Veterans Administration of Puget Sound Seattle, Washington | Endorsement Process Panelists |
Reverend Jennifer S Dant, MDiv, BCC (she/her) Staff Chaplain, Naples Community Healthcare System Naples, Florida |
Rev. John Cooper (he/him) Huntsman Cancer Institute Salt Lake City, Utah |
Rev. Rebekah Ingram (she/her) Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center East Walpole, Massachusetts |
Rev. Kelly Spahr (she/her) Lifetime Home Care and Hospice Rochester, New York |
