What is the Beyond the Call program?

Beyond the Call (BTC) is a program jointly developed by the UUA and UUMA designed to provide UUMA members in final fellowship a chance for in-depth study, ongoing collegial reflection and engagement in a critical area of advanced ministerial competence. Twenty to thirty colleagues will join three deans, and an assortment of guest experts in the field for two years of in-depth study and training in a specific ministerial skill/competence of ministry.. Each two-year module will include mandatory attendance at four five-day retreats one of which will be held at the bi-annual UUMA CENTER Institute for Excellence in Ministry. Participants will be expected to take part in regular conference calls and do assignments between gatherings. As part of the program, each participant will be asked to facilitate small groups of colleagues on the topic and potentially act as coaches after completing the program. The UUMA expects to start one module, on a different topic, each year. The first module will begin in January 2013 on the topic of Preaching and Worship Arts. Future modules will include topics such as Leadership and Administration, Multiculturalism and Inter-Culture Competency and Theology and Spiritual Practice.

Why are we offering this now?

Once a minister enters final fellowship there are no formal requirements for continuing education nor a systematic process of coaching or mentoring. Ministers avail themselves of various one-time seminars and trainings from the Alban Institute, seminaries, the UUA or other organizations. Colleagues tell us they want longer, more focused professional development . Funds collected through 2011-12 Association Sunday offerings and other grants will support this program which has the potential to impact hundreds of ministers in the next ten years.

Beyond the Call: Preaching and Worship Arts

Plans are in the works for our first module on Preaching and Worship Arts. The module will include three retreats facilitated by UUMA senior colleagues Mark Belletini, Abhi Janamanchi and Kathleen Rolenz. In addition to these deans, each retreat will have guest presenters, experts in the field from various denominations. Each retreat will involve participatory learning. Deans will also meet with small groups of 7-10 between retreats and act as advisors to participants. In addition, each participant will be trained to start their own small collegial study/reflection group in the second year of the module. When participants complete the two year program they will be invited to apply to be a UUMA preaching/worship arts coach.

Who is eligible?

All UUMA members in final fellowship who wish to dedicate themselves to serious in-depth study are encouraged to apply. Attendance at all retreats, the UUMA Institute, small group monthly conference calls, and facilitation of peer study/reflection groups are also required. Click here to for directions on how to complete the application by either paper or online.

For more information watch the UUMA monthly e-update or contact a member of the Beyond the Call Coordinating Team.

• Don Southworth, UUMA Executive Director

• Matt Tittle, UUMA CENTER

• Kathleen McTigue, UUMA Executive Committee

• Jory Agate, UUA Professional Development Director

The team can be reached at: beyondthecall@uuma.org