The Rev. James “Jim” A. Jaeger died on May 16, 2024, at the age of 75 (1948-2024).
Jim is survived by his sons: Andy (Muugii) and Jesse (Natalie); grandchildren: Lorn, Misheel, Mars, Saraa, and Temujin; as well as granddaughter-in-law Fiona. He was preceded in death by his wife Karen.
A memorial service will be held at 4 pm on June 22, 2024, at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison WI 53705.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the River Food Pantry, 2201 Darwin Rd, Madison WI 53704. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Jesse Jaeger, 2532 Arcadia Dr., Missoula MT 59803.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
Job Description (approved by the Board on 4/25/24)
Rationale:The UURMaPA Board has determined that honoring and memorializing the deaths of our members is one of several important functions for our membership.
Although ministers in fellowship are honored by the UUA, UURMaPA is the only UU entity that honors the death of partners. UURMaPA has put in place several functions upon the death of our members, involving several Board and off-Board leaders.
Currently on the team, an Obituary Coordinator posts short announcements that are noted by the Editors, as well as charting all activities honoring deceased members, passing along info to appropriate Editors as needed, and keeping files on all member deaths, both ministers and partners.
Two Obituary Editors—one each for ministers and partners (others may be recruited to assist)—volunteer to compose somewhat detailed obituaries that honor the members’ lives. These are then shared with the membership and filed in UURMaPA’s obituary archive on the website. The Editors are asked to serve in an off-Board position for a year (with option to renew).
Obituary Editor Tasks: The Board has determined that UURMaPA will post only the deaths of our own members (ministers or partners), except that we will report via a brief announcement the death of a minister who was 65 or older, even if not a member (in which case no full obituary will be needed). The Board will then invite any surviving partner to join UURMaPA.
First Notice of a death – for follow-up by Editors:
Obituary Editors may receive early information about a member death in several different ways. Each will make note of the info so they can seek and track further details in order to compose a full obituary:
Minister death announcements generally come fairly promptly from the UUA in brief form; these are shared with the membership by the Obituary Coordinator via UURMaPA-Announce, so that condolence notes and donations in memory may be sent.
Partner deaths are harder to discover, as we must rely on members or others to think to tell someone in UURMaPA, who hopefully will then notify the Partner Obit Editor so they can make note for follow-up.
The Elderberries Newsletter regularly posts a request that members notify the Board if they learn of another member’s death, and that info is passed along to the appropriate Editor. Facebook and other social media may alert members when a minister colleague or partner dies.
Preparation of Obituaries: Each Editor’s job is to use various contacts and resources to learn more about the life and activities of the member.
For ministers, the UUA will prepare a longer obit that will be posted, and may be enhanced and edited for UURMaPA’s use and archives.
Funeral homes may prepare obituaries for UURMaPA members that provide good personal information. Also, invitations to family members and colleagues may provide rich stories and materials. (UURMaPA members are regularly invited to contact Editors with these stories.)
Short Death Notices sent on UURMaPA-Announce to UURMaPA members (prepared by Obituary Coordinator) may provide basic information (see Appendix below for outline). They often provide an Editor some contact info to get research started.
Completion of Full Obituaries by the Editors: Recent practice has been for both Editors to prepare some full obituaries to submit to the Elderberries Editor for each of the quarterly issues. Edited versions with photos (when available) are published in each issue. The full obituary with photo (no limit on length) is sent to the Webmaster to be added to the UURMaPA Obituary Archive.
Draft prepared by Judy Gibson, Nominating Committee and former Obituary Coordinator, May 2020 Reviewed and edited by Jay Atkinson, April 2024
Appendix: Short death announcement guide from UURMaPA – a basic outline
We will miss: NAME (Birth year – Death year)
The Board of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association offers our condolences to the family and friends of (name), who died on (date) at the age of (age).
S/he is survived by (partner, siblings, children, grandchildren, etc.)
A memorial service was/will be held on (date) at (time), (location and address if still in future).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to (organization/s). In ministerial notices, add the following to the “donations may be made…” section from families: “
In partner’s notices, add the following to the “donations may be made…” section from families:
UURMaPA will contribute $50 to his/her church or a charity of his/her choice.
Notes of condolence can be sent to (name and address).
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to (choose one)
UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, (Name and email).
UURMaPA’s partner obituary editor, (Name and email)
Job Description (approved by the Board on 4/25/24)
Rationale: The Secretary takes minutes at all Board meetings, updates records and handles correspondence as needed. The Secretary makes changes annually or as needed to keep record documents of UURMaPA current. These records include: current lists of leaders for general reference and in records of the Massachusetts Secretary of State; a file of up-to-date functional job descriptions submitted for Board and off-Board positions; Bylaws as amended and changes in Operating Procedures as needed. The Secretary sends updated public documents to the webmaster to be posted on the website.
Expectations:
Minutes of Board Meetings: The Board holds a virtual meeting most months via Zoom. The Secretary may send an early draft of minutes to Board members for possible edits prior to the next meeting. The revised minutes are sent to the Board a few days before the meeting at which members will be asked to approve them. The Secretary then sends minutes and attached reports as approved to be posted on the website under Governance.Recent practice has been that the Secretary marks text of decisions in bold and action items in red italics, and inserts line numbers on the left document margin.
In-Person Board Meetings and Conferences: At any in-person meeting of the Board, currently held in conjunction with a conference, the Secretary should plan to attend and record minutes. They are also expected to attend and take minutes at general member information sessions at conferences.
UURMaPA-Announce: The UURMaPA-Announce List, set up through uua.org, is currently administered by the Membership Coordinator (an off-Board appointee), and allows the Board to send out messages to the membership. The Secretary serves as the Board member back-up person who may post notices to members as needed.
UURMaPA Leadership List and History of Service: Each June before a new Board takes office and other times as needed, the Secretary updates two documents. The UURMaPA Leadership List, including off-Board appointees who agree to serve in the next year, is sent to the webmaster to be inserted as the initial pages of the online Membership Directory. The Secretary also assures that annual updates are made to the UURMaPA Leadership Service History spreadsheet (an essential reference for the Nominating Committee and the Board) that tracks both elected officers and Board-appointed leaders by service years. The spreadsheet update is sent to the webmaster to be posted on the website under Governance.
Updates of Bylaws: The Secretary enters into the Bylaws any amendments proposed and approved by the Board and the membership, and sends the document to be updated on the website under Governance. Some Bylaw updates may also need to be filed with the Secretary of State (see below).
Corporate Filing with Massachusetts Secretary of State: Each spring, as a new set of Board members is elected, the Secretary (as official Clerk of the Organization) files officers’ names, contact info and terms of office [on UURMaPA’s site] with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Other changes may only occasionally be needed (including changes in Resident Agent and the Agent’s Massachusetts address, or updates of the Articles of Organization, such as UURMaPA’s purpose or specific item in Bylaws.). The Secretary can file online to UURMaPA’s site at
https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/loginsystem/login_form.asp? FilingMethod, CID# is: bx3k28 and the PIN is:8958. Fees for some entries are charged, and can be reimbursed by the Treasurer.
File of Job Descriptions: The Secretary maintains UURMaPA’s reference file of current job descriptions and key functions for all elected and appointed leadership and sends updates to the webmaster as needed. The updated file is kept online and serves as a reference resource for Board, members in leadership and Nominating Committee. Revision dates and names should be recorded on each document, and should be checked at least annually and revised as needed by relevant Board or off-Board leadership.
Updates of Operating Procedures – policies: The Operating Procedures document contains the policies and detailed procedures that guide the organization. It evolves as needed based on decisions of the Board that are recorded in the minutes. The Secretary edits the Operating Procedures document as needed to keep it current, and sends the updated document for posting on the website under Governance.
Board Liaisons: Board members are assigned as liaisons to all Off-Board leadership volunteers. The Secretary is assigned as Board liaison to the appointee as Membership Coordinator.
Updated by Judy Gibson, former UURMaPA Board Secretary & current Nominating Committee member; in consultation with Barbara Child, Secretary—June 2020.
Job Description (approved by the Board on 4/25/24)
Rationale: The President represents the organization and its goals to members, to the larger Unitarian Universalist community, and to the public at large, promoting and furthering its mission and reputation.
Expectations:
The President monitors the Board and its members regarding fulfillment of UURMaPA’s Mission. They prepare the agenda and chair meetings of the Board and represent the Board to members, UUMA, LREDA, UUA, and other UU groups. They are expected to attend UURMaPA Conferences and the UUA General Assembly, with expenses covered by the budget.
For the annual in-person Board meeting, the President, in consultation with the Board, develops the agenda and invites appropriate guests from the UUA and UUMA.
Conferences – The President leads UURMaPA informational or business meetings and offers reports. In consultation with planning teams, the President will select Odyssey presenters for all UURMaPA Conferences.
Other UURMaPA Events – The President consults in planning and participates in the annual virtual “UURMaPA Welcome” event.
UUA General Assembly – The President attends UURMaPA-sponsored events when held, and, where possible, the gathering for families of deceased ministers. They represent UURMaPA at the Service of the Living Tradition.
Nominations – The President works closely with the Nominating Committee in selecting nominees to fill Board positions and possibly other vacancies as needed.
Other duties include: • sending a welcome letter with UURMaPA brochure to new retirees • writing condolence letters to families of those members who have died • notifying the Treasurer when to send memorial gifts • writing articles for Elderberries and for other publications as invited • preparing the annual financial appeal letter(s) to members • promoting educational programs for members and future members • serving as liaison to specific off-Board annual appointees • generally coaching others in their roles
Drafted by Judy Gibson, 3-18-2020 Revised by Diane Miller in consultation with past Presidents, 2020 Revised by Susan V Rak, February 2023
The Rev. Dr. James ‘Peter’ Hughes died on April 17, 2024, at the age of 71.
Peter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 29, 1952, to Arthur A. Hughes and Joanne Little Hughes. He was the eldest of seven siblings and attended churches of the Anglican religion in childhood. He went to various grade and elementary schools in multiple cities in Canada, ultimately graduating from Macdonald High School in St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. In 1973, Peter received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge MA. In the same year, he married Lynn Gordon, a fellow student at M.I.T. He then worked as a computer programmer for eight years before following his call to ministry.
In his late twenties, Peter began to explore the spiritual and intellectual horizons to find an institutional home. He felt that there was a need for a religion that could bring together ancient wisdom and modern knowledge; one that would respect people’s varying strengths, needs, and dispositions in a true religious pluralism. He became involved as a layperson in the UU Society of Stamford, CT from 1980 to 1982, immersing himself in the history and culture of Unitarianism and Universalism. He began to see the church in a more critical light. He wanted to develop plans for helping liberal religion explore new areas, and help religious liberals more fully live their religious principles. This vision kindled his thoughts of ministry. In 1984, he earned his Master of Arts in Divinity from the University of Chicago IL, following which he received his Doctor of Ministry from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1986.
Rev. Dr. Hughes was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Woonsocket RI on April 26, 1987, where he served for 13 years (1986–1999). During his tenure, in addition to his pastoral duties, he was instrumental in the transcription of documents in church history and wrote a history of the period of the church’s first minister, John Boyden (1840–1869). He wrote, directed, and participated in several services that consisted of the congregation members’ dramatic performances. Rev. Hughes, along with his wife Lynn Gordon Hughes, were the founders of the First Universalist Food Pantry, and their work sustained this effort for over 10 years. In 1999, he retired from the ministry on disability, due to post-polio syndrome. In 2000, the First Universalist Church honored him as their minister emeritus.
After retirement, Rev. Dr. Hughes focused on research projects, mainly on the history of American Universalism and the Reformation roots of Unitarianism. He launched the Dictionary of UU Biography and served as its founding editor for nine years. He was a frequent contributor to the Journal of UU History and other publications. He also helped the UU Historical Society to develop a publishing program and an online discussion list. Furthermore, he was president of the Universalist Church of Rhode Island and vice-president of the UU Historical Society.
Always active in community service, Rev. Hughes was on the boards of Adopt-a-Family, Woonsocket Shelter Community Action Program, and Family Resources. He was also active in the Greater Woonsocket Clergy Association. He received the Paul Dempster Award in 1997 for contributions to community service. He was a champion for the rights of the disabled. In 2008, he was forced to crawl downstairs to a polling station in a church basement. This motivated him to take on Elections Canada where he won in a landmark Canadian Human Rights Case in 2010, Hughes v. Elections Canada. The result was nationwide changes to all Canadian polling stations to ensure accessibility for disabled voters.
In his leisure time, Peter enjoyed listening to music and collecting records (classical and film music), playing the recorder and other woodwind instruments, watching old movies, going to the opera, reading, and reading aloud. He enjoyed the challenge of arranging music for unusual combinations of instruments and was usually involved in some sort of music ensemble, often as a leader.
Peter is survived by his wife Lynn; children Paul (Caolan) and Logan (Jae); grandchildren Jane and Alice; as well as his siblings: Jan, Kate, Mary Jo, William, and Sarah Beth. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wendy.
A memorial service was held on June 8, 2024, at the University of Toronto, Canada. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Center <https://www.uhn.ca/OurHospitals/PrincessMargaret>, 610 University Ave., Toronto ON, M5G 2M9.
Notes of condolences may be sent to Lynn Hughes at lynnghughes@gmail.com or mailed to Lynn Hughes, 312-24 Wellesley St. W., Toronto ON, M4Y2X6, Canada.
The Rev. David O. Rankin died on April 5, 2024, at the age of 86 (1937-2024).
David is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ginger Rankin; his sons: Mark Rankin and Oran Rankin (Sara); grandchildren: Jim Minor Rankin, David Rankin (Jessica), Emily Rankin, Seneca Wainright (Justin); as well as his great-grandchildren: Liam and Clara Wainright.
A private memorial service is being planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ginger Minor Rankin Scholarship Endowment. This can be done at the University of Idaho’s web page: Donation Annual Giving. GiveCampus. Please choose Ginger Minor Rankin Scholarship Endowment in the Designation box and enter “In Memory of David O. Rankin” in the In Honor of box. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence can be sent to Ginger Rankin at Gingerrankin@moscow.com or mailed to Ginger Rankin, 312 North Garfield St., Moscow ID 83843.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website. If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
In the third session of the first day of our spring 2024 conference, the Service of Remembrance will focus on three elements from service leader Rev. Lilia Cuervo’s Hispanic culture: presence, honoring, and healing.
An ofrenda (altar) will hold pictures of the ministers and spouses whose presence we yet feel. In front of each picture, a votive candle is lit, which flame signifies and celebrates their lives and the examples they give us.
As in past conferences, we will honor them in four segments with eulogies and roses. Reflective, healing interludes of poetry and music help us to remember them, and perhaps, ponder our own lives.
Honoring the lives and legacies of
Treva Frank (widow of Rev. Vance Frank) Rev. Lewis Dunlap Rev. Joel Baehr Anne Clarke (widow of Rev. Robert Clarke)
Rev. Susan Weickum Rev. Carolyn Owen-Towle Rev. Dori Somers Rev. Cynthia Johnson
Rev. David Maynard Rev. Olivia Holmes Rev. Patience Gardner Rev. Ronald Marcy
Rev. James Grant Rev. Steven Protzman Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs Rev. Rick Koyle
Job Description (approved by the Board on 3/21/24)
Rationale: The Membership Coordinator performs important functions for UURMaPA in keeping membership and communication lists current and accurate. They manage posting and use of the membership list for communications and serve as primary administrator for the UURMaPA Announce list-serve provided through UUA.org.
Expectations: Basic duties of this job include the following:
Maintains current membership information using an Excel spreadsheet and two Directories (Membership and Connections) as Word documents or in whatever format the membership database management system requires.
When a minister retires, the Intent to Retire form is sent from the UUA to the Membership Coordinator, and the minister (and spouse if any) are added as new members. This includes adding the email address to the Announce-List.
Updated Directories (saved as pdf documents) are sent monthly to the Webmaster to post on the website. The Announce-List is also updated with any changes.
Other duties include preparing extracts of the Excel data to send to the printer for mailing the newsletter, the appeal letter, or other needed mailings.
This is an appointed position with Board liaison that begins or may be renewed annually each July.
Proposed by Marcia Olsen, Membership Coordinator as of March, 2015. Edits by Judy Gibson, March 2020. Suggested revision – Susan V Rak December 2023.
Job Description (approved by the Board on 3/21/24)
Rationale: The Historian works with other leaders to assure that important UURMaPA documents are preserved, including publications such as newsletters, directories, brochures and guides produced by the organization since its beginning in 1985. The UURMaPA website (uurmapa.org) serves as a site for reference and preservation of many recent past and current public items, including Elderberries (since beginning in 1985), Board minutes (since 2014) and obituaries (since 2004).
Expectations: The duties of the Historian include the following:
The Historian may be provided with documents and asked to assess their value for historical purposes.
The Historian maintains a relationship with the Archivist at Andover-Harvard Library and ensures that selected UURMaPA papers and records are filed there, as appropriate. (Note: Any documents sent to Andover Harvard Archives become their possession and UURMaPA no longer retains any copyrights.)
The Historian updates UURMaPA’s history so that the organization has an accurate record of its early history and progress since 1985. A version of the most current history may be posted on the website under RESOURCES.
The Historian may research member obituary information prior to 2004 to help build the online website archive of obituaries for ministers and partners.
On their own initiative or as requested, the Historian may assist with UURMaPA historical projects and prepare historical articles for Elderberries or other outlets.
The Historian is appointed for a one-year term by the UURMaPA Board and reports to the Board. The Board President is the liaison for the Historian to the Board. The term may be renewed at the discretion of the Board.
Originally created Fall, 2011. Revised by Judy Gibson, Nominating Comm member, with Susan LaMar, current Historian, June 2020.
Job Description (approved by the Board on 3/21/24)
Rationale: This at-large Board position was created in 2013 in order to implement a recommendation of the 2012 Task Force on Retired Ministry (a joint task force representing UURMaPA, the UUMA, the UU Interim Ministers Guild, and the UUA). The report from this Task Force is recommended for review, and is available for reference as a guideline for this job — see the UURMaPA website under PUBLICATIONS – “Best Practices in Right Relations.” Since this At-Large position involves coordination between the UUMA and UURMaPA, it should be filled by a retired minister.
Expectations: Several current duties include the following, and the Board may define others as needed:
Serving as the Good offices person for UURMaPA andas a resource for UUMA Good Offices persons who will work particularly with situations involving retired ministers and/or partners.
Participating in the UUMA Good Officer training (held periodically on Zoom)is expected.
Serving as our liaison to the UUMA and the UUA — typically to the Office of Church Staff Finances regarding concerns related to all things retirement, and sometimes to the Professional Development Director.
Serving as a liaison to other UU professional organizations: Liberal Religious Educators Association, Association of UU Administrators, Association of UU Musicians.
Communicating with the leadership of the UUA and the UUMA regarding mutual concerns, invitations to participate in conferences, and shared program ideas.
As part of the UURMaPA Board, this person will attend monthly Board meetings (online via ZOOM, and in-person if required annually at a conference), participate in decision-making and accept other duties as needed.
