Contract Search Teams
We are in the last few weeks of the scheduled 2026 search season, as the interim search plays out. The interim search draws some interest to contract positions from ministers interested in transitional ministry, so we hope that your search team receives some additional interest.
If you have not found a minister by the time the interim search ends on 21 May, you may keep your search profile open through the summer and fall. There are always new ministers receiving fellowship throughout the year and others going into search outside of the main search season (December-May).
If your congregation is facing a period of being unexpectedly lay-led or having less ministerial presence than you hoped to have, you are not alone. Regional UUA staff can offer coaching on shoring up lay leadership for congregations that have not yet found a minister (and those which have arrangements with less ministerial time or presence than they are used to having). Reach out to them! Also, congregational leaders can find supportive resources and connections on LeaderLab and in regional newsletters.
As Unitarian Universalists, lay-led ministry is in our bones. While it may not be easy, your congregation’s leaders can maintain the missional focus of your ministry, cast a hopeful vision, sustain joy, create connections, and extend care without a professional ministry partner for a time.
We are in the last few weeks of the scheduled 2026 search season, as the interim search plays out. The interim search draws some interest to contract positions from ministers interested in transitional ministry, so we hope that your search team receives some additional interest.
If you have not found a minister by the time the interim search ends on 21 May, you may keep your search profile open through the summer and fall. There are always new ministers receiving fellowship throughout the year and others going into search outside of the main search season (December-May).
If your congregation is facing a period of being unexpectedly lay-led or having less ministerial presence than you hoped to have, you are not alone. Regional UUA staff can offer coaching on shoring up lay leadership for congregations that have not yet found a minister (and those which have arrangements with less ministerial time or presence than they are used to having). Reach out to them! Also, congregational leaders can find supportive resources and connections on LeaderLab and in regional newsletters.
As Unitarian Universalists, lay-led ministry is in our bones. While it may not be easy, your congregation’s leaders can maintain the missional focus of your ministry, cast a hopeful vision, sustain joy, create connections, and extend care without a professional ministry partner for a time.
Here are a few suggestions for boards as they plan ahead:
- Your Invitation to a GA Wave Cohort: During GA 2026, the Wave Cohort, Virtual and Hybrid Ministry: Care and Connection, will explore virtual and hybrid ministry as faithful, effective responses to a growing reality in Unitarian Universalism, that some congregations cannot find onsite ministers, while some ministers are ready to serve using a virtual or hybrid model. Grounded in UU values, ministers and congregants are invited to help expand our denominational imagination and embrace new possibilities for rich, meaningful ministerial leadership. Register for GA, and watch for the opportunity to join on Saturday, June 20th!
- There may be local or remote UU ministers who could offer some ministry, but who are not seeking work at the percentage of time which you advertised. Consider whether a creative partnership with a local minister for one or more elements of ministry (worship, pastoral care, administrative/organizational functions, coaching) or a remote/hybrid ministry partnership might be helpful and welcome. Your search team may receive applicants for such arrangements if they signal openness to them on the position basics page of the search profile.
- Check in with the staff and key volunteers who will carry additional work if you do not have a professional ministry partner when you hoped you would. Make sure they feel valued and ask how they are doing. What would help? Where is there strain in your system? Where is there capacity or energy?
- Look to your neighboring congregations. What could you share with them? For example, if you have a talented lay speaker and so do they, could the speakers exchange pulpits? Can your leaders in similar roles meet to support each other?
- Read your regional newsletter. It contains ways to connect and skill up for lay leaders and volunteers.
- Be in touch with UUA regional staff for support and strategy.
- Check out these resources:
As always, please be in touch with Christine Purcell, Congregational Transitions Director, for support with your search process: cpurcell@uua.org. 
