Ministers, The Next Generation: Supporting our Seminarians Ministers, The Next Generation: Supporting our Seminarians Facilitators: Julie Taylor, Project Coordinator In Care, In Covenant Connie Moore, Administrator South East RSCC

In Care, In Covenant 1 year pilot project for Metro NY District1 year pilot project for Metro NY District Goals:Goals: –Strengthen seminarians’ identities as UU ministers in formation –Expand knowledge of congregational life –Enhance connections to future minister colleagues –Create a network for seminarians throughout the district

Accomplishments Continued contact with 37 seminarians from six local seminaries and several recent gradsContinued contact with 37 seminarians from six local seminaries and several recent grads 10 UU clergy, lay leaders, and district staff working on events and mentoring10 UU clergy, lay leaders, and district staff working on events and mentoring New awareness reported of importance of turning in paperwork related to the fellowship processNew awareness reported of importance of turning in paperwork related to the fellowship process 9 with appointments to the RSCC in March or April9 with appointments to the RSCC in March or April 3 aspirants have RSCC appointments for next year3 aspirants have RSCC appointments for next year

Events Welcome meeting during orientation at Union Theological SeminaryWelcome meeting during orientation at Union Theological Seminary “The Real Deal About UU Ordination”“The Real Deal About UU Ordination” –Recorded and distributed supplementally Winter retreatWinter retreat RSCC prepRSCC prep Scholarships for MNY District Annual MeetingScholarships for MNY District Annual Meeting End of school gatheringEnd of school gathering

Additional Support Google groupGoogle group UU History & Polity course at UnionUU History & Polity course at Union E-portfolioE-portfolio One-on-one mentoring and supportOne-on-one mentoring and support Paperwork guidancePaperwork guidance Pulpit supply opportunitiesPulpit supply opportunities Job opportunitiesJob opportunities Outreach to District clergyOutreach to District clergy

The Need for Congregational Participation & Connections It’s good for the seminariansIt’s good for the seminarians It’s good for the congregationsIt’s good for the congregations It’s good for the denominationIt’s good for the denomination

What can my congregation do? How can we get involved?

Many options Pulpit supplyPulpit supply Committee workCommittee work Special projectsSpecial projects Congregational leadershipCongregational leadership Leading study groups/small group ministryLeading study groups/small group ministry Pastoral care committeesPastoral care committees

More options Financial supportFinancial support Scholarships for eventsScholarships for events Observe board meetingsObserve board meetings Field education siteField education site Internship siteInternship site Not just RENot just RE KNOW THE PROCESSKNOW THE PROCESS

How Clergy Can Support MentorMentor –Short or long term Lead an In Care, In Covenant eventLead an In Care, In Covenant event Take a seminarian to lunchTake a seminarian to lunch Tell other clergy about the projectTell other clergy about the project KNOW THE PROCESSKNOW THE PROCESS

Perhaps most important… How would you like to support seminarians?

Paperwork & Process Somewhat dynamicSomewhat dynamic

Questions? Ideas?

Contacts: Julie Taylor Connie Moore