BEYOND CATEGORICAL THINKING
VUU’s Ministerial Search Committee
Invites YOU to an Important Workshop and Sunday Service
BEYOND CATEGORICAL THINKING
“Will the new minister hear me? Will my concerns and needs be met? Will the
minister understand what I’m living with? How will the community respond to our minister?”
In answering these questions, a picture of the “ideal minister” (categorized by age, gender
identity, nationality, physical or cognitive ability, race, sexual orientation, etc.) comes to mind.
With this picture in place, it can be easy to unintentionally exclude ministers who fall into certain
categories. At times, as we get caught up in comparing candidates to our “picture,” we can even
forget what it is we hoped for in a minister.
On the weekend of October 9-10, VUU will participate in the Beyond Categorical Thinking
workshop offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for congregations
involved in the search for a new minister. The VUU Search Committee invites all
congregational leaders, members, and friends to participate in this workshop.
The Beyond Categorical Thinking program is designed to promote inclusive thinking and help
prevent unfair discrimination in the search process for a new minister. This program includes a
three- hour BCT workshop and a Sunday morning service with facilitators trained by the
UUA. In the workshop, VUU members will:
▪ Consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns they have for a new minister
▪ Learn more about the ministerial search process, and
▪ Explore how thinking categorically about people sometimes interferes with choosing the
best candidate.
Join the MSC and the VUU Board on Zoom Saturday, October 9th at 8:30 AM-12:00 Noon
(there will be a 1/2 hour break in the middle) to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop, led
by Amanda Schuber and Gil Guerrero.
The selection of a minister is important. The Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop is another
opportunity for everyone in our congregation to be a part of that process. This experience will
provide guidance for the search committee in our work.