I'm wondering...reflections on settlement
OK, folks started to complain that I hadn't given my reflection. So this is what I'm thinking about the latest class of ministerial settlements around the UUA this year. I think it looks pretty good. Well maybe there are one or two are strange choices, you know where a church doesn't know itself and calls a candidate who may not be the best fit. Now I could be wrong, and maybe I am, but I do believe that there is a short ministry in the future of one or two well known churches.
Besides that I have to say that I think most of the matches look good. I need to point out that a couple of churches that didn't settle a minister were publicly really bitter about loosing a candidate, remember I get all of my information from the church's web-site. One church was so upset they even named the church where "their candidate" went. That's a big no-no and although the UUA isn't the DNC and can't prevent the church from seating delegates someone needs to have a stern talking to them and help them understand that they don't own their candidate.
I look at a lot of church web sites getting the settlement information and boy some of them suck.
Of course I'm looking for information about the church announcing their candidate and it is amazing how well folks hide this information. You would think people would be excited and update their page with their info like Ann Arbor did, but no I have to find the name off in the upcoming sermons list.
One other thing about church web-sites, sure its nice to have a picture of your church on your site, but how about some people too.
And one last thing why do UU ministers start their ministries in August or September. Yes I know that in New England most of our churches were closed for the summer, I grew a UU in New England and was always stunned to find that other churches were opened. But really only the smallest of UU churches remain closed for the summer now. So why are we still on this schedule? Methodists get placed Jan-June, UCC placement happens as needed, but for us we have this big game of musical chairs in early Spring. OK so I'll admit that it works since everyone is on this plan but is it really just the remnants of the old summer system? Is it because we are all really academics and follow the school calendar? Or is it about getting the children of clergy into schools at the right time? I look forward to your answers which will no doubt be pure speculation.
Besides that I have to say that I think most of the matches look good. I need to point out that a couple of churches that didn't settle a minister were publicly really bitter about loosing a candidate, remember I get all of my information from the church's web-site. One church was so upset they even named the church where "their candidate" went. That's a big no-no and although the UUA isn't the DNC and can't prevent the church from seating delegates someone needs to have a stern talking to them and help them understand that they don't own their candidate.
I look at a lot of church web sites getting the settlement information and boy some of them suck.
Of course I'm looking for information about the church announcing their candidate and it is amazing how well folks hide this information. You would think people would be excited and update their page with their info like Ann Arbor did, but no I have to find the name off in the upcoming sermons list.
One other thing about church web-sites, sure its nice to have a picture of your church on your site, but how about some people too.
And one last thing why do UU ministers start their ministries in August or September. Yes I know that in New England most of our churches were closed for the summer, I grew a UU in New England and was always stunned to find that other churches were opened. But really only the smallest of UU churches remain closed for the summer now. So why are we still on this schedule? Methodists get placed Jan-June, UCC placement happens as needed, but for us we have this big game of musical chairs in early Spring. OK so I'll admit that it works since everyone is on this plan but is it really just the remnants of the old summer system? Is it because we are all really academics and follow the school calendar? Or is it about getting the children of clergy into schools at the right time? I look forward to your answers which will no doubt be pure speculation.
posted by UUEnforcer at
2:13 PM
2 Comments
