Small Church Specialist

The Reverend Karen Brammer

e-mail

What is the Small Church Specialist?

A Small Church Specialist (SCS) is a member of the district staff team including the District Executive and the Program Consultant.  The Small Church Specialist serves the vitality of small congregations, defined here as congregations with fewer than 100 members. Currently the position is half time and as of July, 2008 will be ¾ time in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The position is co-funded by the

Unitarian Universalist Association and new, three-state District.

Who is the Small Church Specialist?

The Reverend Karen Brammer is the current SCS.  She has served in this capacity since July, 2006. Prior to this she served the UU Church of Saco-Biddeford for seven years.  Her portfolio specializes not only in small congregations, but also in assisting the district to move forward with its commitment to doing our work as sustainably as possible.

Our work together:

Congregations of Unitarian Universalists decide what they hold as most important, and what they want to become. Districts of congregations provide vision, leadership, and resources to help congregations move in that direction together.  (Two particular priorities stated by district lay leadership include support for small congregations and a focus on environmental sustainability.) The Unitarian Universalist Association works to do the same - providing vision, leadership and resources to help the whole be a transformational presence in our world. 

District Staff here in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont work with the lay leadership to support the congregations, the district and the larger Association to clarify vision and move towards making that vision reality. We are committed to learning and sharing what is most helpful to congregations to become as healthy and vital as they can be. We understand that what congregations need for health and vitality is likely to be affected by the size of the congregation.

Small Congregations have been asking for assistance with many things, including;

• lay leadership developmentresources for learning about issues particular to small congregations
• religious education support
• support for their buildings
• creative assistance in seeking various levels of professional ministry
• skill building to clarifying vision and organizational structures, and
• conflict management intervention, skills and strategies.

The Small Church Specialist can help with these things and more.

Just email kbrammer385@comcast.net, or call the District Office at 1-800-730-8457.  I will be glad to talk with you.