MSR Guide - Unitarian Universalist Association

Introduction:
1. What is a Ministerial Settlement Representative
• I am the nominated by your District and the UUMA Chapter together and appointed
by the UUA Transitions Director to assist congregations in their process of locating
and securing a minister.
• My services are provided to member congregations by our Association. I receive an
honorarium for the work I do, and my travel expenses are reimbursed. There is,
however, no cost to you beyond your contribution to the UUA Annual Program
Fund.
• I will meet with you three times, at least this once and very likely a second time in
person, and a third time probably by phone. The second time will be with the search
committee after it has been elected, and the third when it receives names of
prospective ministers.
• My role is to coach, guide, and consult; I participate in the annual training conducted
by the Transitions Office for me and my counterparts in other Districts.
• I am always available to the board president and the search committee by e-mail and
phone when necessaryt
2. Why am I a Ministerial Settlement Representative
• I am proud of being a member of a UU congregation and a part of our Association
• I enjoy working with UUs
• I believe in the importance of a good church/minister match to the health of our
cause
• I enjoy being of assistance
3. The Settlement Handbook and Not Reinventing the Wheel
• You are autonomous: you can call any person you wish as your minister
• The Transitions Office does its best to assure that you are getting the minister you
think you are getting; it cannot assist you in vetting ministers not in UU Ministerial
Fellowship
• But this outlined procedure is the product of many years experience of many
churches, and many ministers
• The bible of the search process is the Settlement Handbook for Ministers and
Congregations, available on line for all to see
• Ministers in fellowship pledge to abide by this process
• It is a good process. Its serves both ministers and congregations by providing
information, counsel, structure, and resources. Its purpose is to bring about the best
possible match between minister and congregation. One of the two major goals is to
provide committees and ministers alike with the greatest possible flexibility and
range of choice, and with access to as much useful information as possible
• The second goal is to encourage procedures that are fair, thorough,
nondiscriminatory, and efficient
• You could spend less time, less effort, less money . . . and perhaps make a big
mistake!
• Follow this . . . and you could still make a mistake!
• But . . . follow this process with honesty, insight, care and you will most likely find a
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