[NOTE to hand-held device users: Best view is landscape/horizontal.]
See a short intro video TOUR of this website HERE.
WHAT’S NEW:
- 2026 Spring Conference News HERE (incl. draft Schedule)
- “The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age”–free 2-hr workshop on March 24 (11am, Central). See more HERE.
- 4 new additions to our helpful section on Best Practices for retired ministers and families participating in UU congregations: HERE
- UURMaPAns Can Access the New Hymnal! Read howHERE.
- View the latest FULL COLOR issue of Elderberries—FALL ‘25,
(including a review of our 2025 Fall Conference, Oct. 20–22)
2025-26 UURMaPA Board members (with linked emails):
(Find photos and bios under Governance.)
- Richard Speck, President (and temporary Treasurer)
- Charles Stephens, Vice-President
- Anne Marsh, Secretary
- Richard Nugent, Treasurer
- George Buchanan, Elderberries Editor
- Barbro Hansson, Conferences
- Christine Robinson, UUMA/UUA Relations
- Janet Tillman, Connections
- Joy Atkinson, Passages Coordinator
Speckulations, February 2026
The winter is fully here in Delaware. We got nine inches of snow that has yet to melt due to the cold weather. It has frozen solid and will be with us for many more weeks. During these long cold days we tend to stay indoors.
However, I answered the call to travel to Minneapolis to witness the cruelty of ICE agents traumatizing a community. I joined several hundred other ministers, Imams, and rabbis who came to be in solidarity with the faith community of the city and state.
While I was there, we experienced a lockdown in a church due to ICE agents who injured people who were brought to the church for treatment. On my way home, I learned of the murder of Alex Pretti by ICE agents who gunned him down in cold blood.
When I got home, I recorded and posted a statement … See ALL of Richard’s message…
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SPECIAL, TIMELY NOTE
about our latest Awards
November, 2025, From UURMaPA Vice-President Charles Stephens
UURMaPA offers “The Unsung UURMaPAn Award” and “The Creative Sageing Award.” All UURMaPA members are eligible!
We postponed the presentation of our two UURMaPA awards this year until our SPRING 2026 Conference. Surprisingly, we haven’t gotten any nominations, so far. I know UURMaPAns are often shy, but I also know there are any number of our UURMaPA members who have been doing great things and are potential recipients of either our Unsung UURMaPAn or our Creative Sageing Award.
We encourage you to nominate another UURMaPAn for either award–or possibly yourself. Don’t be shy, simply identify the person and submit a brief description of their achievement(s), by March 1, 2026, to me, Charles Stephens, your UURMaPA Vice President (vice-president@uurmapa.org).
The Unsung UURMaPAn award is given to a UURMAPA member who has not been recognized for his or her vital contributions to our UU retired movement or for generous service to others. The award honors a volunteer who has made an extraordinary contribution to our association, working behind the scenes during their retirement. The successful nominee will not have been recognized elsewhere. The Unsung UURMaPAn will be announced at an upcoming Conference and in Elderberries, and will receive a $500 honorarium.
The Creative Sageing award is given to a UURMAPAn member for his or her outstanding service and creativity in pursuing new ventures after retirement and building experience in creative ways. This might involve, for example, mentoring, public service, fostering spiritual growth, writing/publishing, creating/participating in community and denominational service projects and organizations. The Creative Sage will be recognized at an upcoming Conference and in Elderberries, and will receive a $500 honorarium.
We encourage you to nominate another UURMaPAn for either award–or yourself.