September 2026: Words to Lead By |
Essays and Resources to Engage Your Spiritual Leadership |
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This year’s late Labor Day commemoration has impacted our New England congregations differently. Our Summer Only and Summer Cape, Islands, and other coastal congregations got an extra week of welcoming summer worshippers and missing some members whose vacations took them to different zip codes for all or part of the season.
Most of our congregations, which operate on an agrarian or academic calendar, celebrated Ingathering Sunday on the 13th this year. While the calendar places us in the waning days of the summer season, most of New England has turned its face toward Autumn. Already the first leaves are losing their chlorophyll and relinquishing their tenuous hold on branches. I watch this change each year from my home office window. The tree across the street as I type appears green from afar, but even at this distance I can see scores of them are dotted with yellow and deepening into orange around the edges.
Often when I lead board retreats in congregations, I remind the “new” board at the beginning of September that this may be the first time this group of people has sat around the parish committee table together, but the Board itself is not new. There has only ever been one governing board in the whole history of your congregation. Every year, some members step into, or out of, the river of leadership, but it’s always been one continuous river of souls entrusted to care for the mission, vision, and well-being of the congregation. . . |
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Last month, we looked at why relationship building should be the foundation of a pledge drive and not just a byproduct of raising money for the budget.
This month, we’ll look at one of the resources that has helped shape UU thinking about stewardship and what happens when we apply some of that advice nearly 20 years later.
Wayne B. Clark’s Beyond Fundraising: A Complete Guide to Congregational Stewardship was published in 2007 and has been used by UU congregations for years. I recently spent some time with it and found quite a bit that still feels useful. Other parts need some updating for the financial realities our congregations and their members are living with today. . . |
New Living NER RE Document! |
There's so much happening in religious education! Find events and more on our new living NER RE Document (Google). This document will hold NER, UUA, and LREDA offerings while trying to make it more clear about who is leading what. We will also note important resources and professional development opportunities. Check back often! This document will be updated regularly through the year. Tip: click on the bulleted list icon to the left of the document to open the table of contents.
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The 2026-2027 Board Retreat Template is now available! Check out our website for the link and more resources for your leadership team. |
Joint Leadership Retreats (JLR) will continue on a per request basis for cluster events in 2026-2027. Please email your primary contact to discuss what possibilities there are for you and your neighbors this fall and beyond! Check out this NER News blog to find out more about what a JLR might entail. We have two cluster events scheduled for this fall - contact us to find out more about being a host congregation! |
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UUA Health Plan Trust Transition |
In case you have not seen the communications, please be aware that the administrative change to the UUA Health Plan will NOT affect your benefits, coverage, or plan experience. The UUA Employee Benefits Trust transitioned to a new Trust structure effective September 1. This change is more closely aligned with the Plan’s status as a “Church Plan” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code compliance, section 414(e). This is an administrative change that does not affect your coverage or your experience with the Plan. Confirmation of the Trust transition will be communicated via mailed letter to participating members and congregations.
The Health Plan will continue to operate as it does today, with no changes to benefits, eligibility, coverage, or how the Plan is administered. If you have questions or concerns about these changes, please contact the UUA Benefit Plans and Services office at (617) 948-4364 or by email. |
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The UU Mental Health Network Board |
The Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network (UUMHN) has openings on their Board. They are seeking candidates who have a passion to help make a difference on mental health issues in UU congregations. The job description (Google doc) contains more information. Please contact UU Mental Health Network (email) by mid-October if you are interested. |
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Cool Congregational Happenings |
- In July, First Universalist Society in Franklin, MA hosted Summer Experience, a week-long day program for children and youth in grades K-8. The 16 attendees, 5 teen mentors (entering grades 9-12), and various adult volunteers explored the theme of interdependence using games, crafts, song, and discussions.
- Congratulations to All Souls UU Congregation of New London, CT on becoming NER’s first Honor Path congregation! Honor Path is an intentional, supported journey for congregations working toward becoming an Honor Congregation: one that contributes the full requested amount to the UUA. Congregations on the Honor Path commit to a steady, achievable increase in giving over time, reaching full support within five years. Congregations on the Honor Path also receive access to certain UUA services, such as Search and Transitions support, at levels previously reserved for Honor Congregations.
- In early September, Rev. Karen Johnston of First UU Society of Burlington, VT showed up in Williston, VT to protest ICE. Read more about those efforts Religion News Service.
As a reminder, please pass along any cool congregational happenings you have to newengland@uua.org for consideration of inclusion here next month! |
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Unitarian Universalist Association, New England Region
24 Farnsworth Street
Boston, MA
02210
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