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Disfellowshipped Unitarian Universalist Ministers And Artificial Intelligence - What's The Connection?

Minutes ago I ran a Google search for - Defellowshipped Unitarian Universalist Ministers 

 


Google responded thusly:

 

 
AI Overview
 
Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministers are not "disfellowshipped" in the traditional, punitive sense used by some denominations, as UUA polity does not allow the central association to remove a minister's ordination, which is granted by their congregation. Instead, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) can remove a minister from "ministerial fellowship," which effectively removes their UUA accreditation and ability to be recommended for ministerial positions within most UU congregations.
 
Reasons for removal from fellowship can include:
  • Misconduct, such as abuse or other actions deemed "conduct unbecoming a minister".
  • Incompetence, including a pattern of conflicted ministries or inability to maintain positive congregational relationships.
  • Failure to cooperate with a misconduct investigation, disciplinary process, or the terms of probation.
  • Failure to maintain contact with the MFC or meet administrative requirements, such as paying fees or submitting required evaluations.
  • A minister may also resign from fellowship while facing a misconduct review or investigation. 

Notable Cases
  • Rev. Todd Eklof: Removed from fellowship after publishing essays critical of the UUA's direction ("The Gadfly Papers") and reportedly failing to cooperate with the subsequent disciplinary process. He remained employed by his congregation in Spokane, WA, highlighting the distinction between UUA fellowship and congregational ordination/employment.
  • Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart: Removed from fellowship for violating the terms of her probation, which required full cooperation with the MFC.
  • Rev. Kaaren Anderson: Resigned her fellowship during a full fellowship review process that was initiated after an investigation found evidence of "bullying and abusive behaviors in the workplace". 

The UUA maintains an online list of "UUA Clergy Removed or Resigned from Fellowship with Completed or Pending Misconduct Investigations" to promote transparency, although the list may not be a complete historical record.
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