OUR SEARCH

Ministerial Search Committee (From Left)

Michelle Monroe-Cook, Mary Boutain, Stuart Yoak, Abby Gitlitz, Amy Taylor, Craig Coley, Barb Backler

By this point you have read our Congregational Record and you are beginning to get a sense of what we are looking for. When we polled our congregation they listed a whole range of desired qualities, but these are the ones that repeatedly emerged.

We want:

Someone with a strong sense of humor. We do serious good in our church, but we do not take ourselves too seriously while doing so.
Someone who is able to implement plans and then put them into action. A person who is willing to get their hands dirty (occasionally literally) making things happen.
A bridge builder, both within the community of the church, and within the larger Bloomington community. We pride ourselves on our leadership team and we want someone who feels comfortable being a part of it.
Someone with strong organizational/people skills.
A good preacher. We have a demanding congregation that is used to dynamic, thoughtful, intellectually rigorous sermons, that also appeal to the average Joe and makes us think deeply about our own actions. OK, maybe all that doesn't happen in each sermon, but we do expect a lot.
Honesty.
A minister with a commitment to social action. It truly is a part of the foundation of the church. Congregants have causes they are passionate about. What are you passionate about?

Dear Colleague,

Thanks for your interest in the Associate Minister position here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington where many things are possible and fun in most adventures is probable.

By now you may know that our congregation’s vision is “Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World.” We ground our mission and our ministry in these three simple, moving-forward phrases. If this vision speaks to you, I hope you will pursue this ministerial position. My experience of this congregation, lay leadership and staff, is that it is healthy, creative and willing to push the envelope when properly prepared.

Do I get frustrated sometimes? Of course. Does our community stumble in our leadership and ministry on occasion? Naturally. Is our staff, leadership and ministry grounded in love? Yes. Does that love call us to strengthen our community? Yes. Does that love call us to heal the world? Yes.

I love the people of this congregation and the opportunity to call Bloomington my home. I hope you will consider joining me and this congregation in our liberal religious ministry here in southern Indiana.

There is so much to share and I look forward to talking to you soon.

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

Senior Minister

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

It is my joy and my pleasure to extend a welcome to you, and to endorse this packet for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana! I am very excited to commend to you further exploration of this congregation; my year and half here has offered tremendous fulfillment and exciting, meaningful work to do! I believe such will be the ministry of this congregation’s new associate minister! The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington is a very engaged and engaging community. The members of this congregation care deeply about this church’s vision, and its dedication to justice and to human worth and dignity. I have experienced many congregations but rarely one so willing to offer their generous service and considerable skills to help it fulfill its potential. This congregation is a notable resource to this city and to Unitarian Universalists in this region, and it is a worthy challenge to serve on the ministry team that assists in that essential work! I have been warmly welcomed and embraced in our shared ministry, and you can look forward to a similar experience. I invite you to explore this resource well; there is much to discover. If I can be of further assistance in your thoughtful considerations, please do not hesitate to let me know!

Faithfully,

The Rev. Dr. Douglas Wadkins

Interim Minister

Letter of Agreement

To UUCB Associate Minister Applicant:

Following the announcement three and a half years ago of the impending retirement of one of our two longtime ministers, the board of directors at UUCB has followed a deliberative process to evaluate our ministerial and staffing opportunities and needs. Given our transition to policy governance which shortly preceded the announcement, it was an appropriate moment to evaluate our overall ministerial structure. Through retreats facilitated by UUA professionals, ongoing consultation with Keith Kron,

director of the UUA Office of Transitions, and subsequent consultation with our interim minister Reverend Douglas Wadkins, our determination is that our thriving and successful church will benefit by calling an associate minister to join our talented senior minister, the Reverend Mary Ann Macklin.

As you will learn from the information compiled by our Ministerial Search Committee, our church has experienced impressive growth on many fronts over the years--its membership, physical footprint, music program, and many social justice activities, to name a few. We have also been recognized by the UUA as a Breakthrough Congregation as well as a Welcoming Congregation and a certified Green Sanctuary. Despite our many successes we know we have room for continued improvement, particularly in terms of the need to revitalize campus ministry, expand our diversity efforts, and be more present in the Bloomington community. Calling an associate minister will allow us to make headway in these efforts by adding a fresh perspective to UUCB's energetic and creative leadership team headed by Reverend Macklin.

The board of directors looks forward to a harmonious relationship with the new minister. Our successful partnership with Reverend Douglas Wadkins who, under the senior leadership of Reverend Macklin, has collaborated with the lay leadership and the board on a regular basis during his time as our interim minister, provides evidence of the strong working relationship between our lay leadership and the ministerial team.

We welcome you to consider joining us at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington in the summer of 2016.

Kathleen Sideli

President, Board of Directors

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington

If we determine we might be a good match for each other and decide to pursue your application as a possible candidate we will follow up with your references within the next month. We might also ask for more information. We will conduct a standard criminal background check.

The Ministerial Search Committee - Who We Are

What We Are Looking For in an Associate Minister

Letter from the Senior Minister - Mary Ann Macklin

Letter from the Interim Minister - Doug Wadkins

Letter from the Congregation President - Kathleen Sideli