Q: Why is Rev. Nica taking a sabbatical?

A: Sabbaticals are a standard part of Unitarian Universalist ministry and Unitarian Universalist Association contracts, offered every 3–7 years for renewal, study, and long-term visioning. It helps make ministry, a 24/7 role, sustainable in the long term. Ministers earn one month for every year of service and Rev. Nica has been with us for almost 10 years now. Her upcoming sabbatical of 4.5 months from December 26, 2025 to May 11, 2026 will offer deep spiritual replenishment, learning opportunities, and time with her aging mother in the UK. It is also a good moment for Chalice, as the congregation has successfully navigated a sabbatical before in 2022 and has experienced leaders ready to support continuity and care.

Q: How does Chalice benefit from a ministerial sabbatical?

A: Sabbaticals help ensure a healthy, long-term ministry by allowing for deep rest, spiritual renewal, and fresh vision. Honoring the sabbatical covenant supports Rev. Nica’s well-being, her longevity with our congregation, and helps sustain our vibrant community.  Sabbaticals benefit the whole congregation, inviting reflection, growth, and new energy on both sides of the pulpit.

Q: Who will lead services during Rev. Nica’s sabbatical?

A: We will welcome experienced UU ministers and other guest speakers to lead worship at least three Sundays a month. The remaining services will be led by our talented Sunday Worship Team and members of the congregation. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the depth of shared ministry within our community and to hear from new voices.

Q: Are lay-led services less meaningful?

A: Not at all. Lay-led services are a long-standing and cherished part of our Unitarian Universalist tradition. They bring fresh voices, diverse perspectives, and opportunities for leadership development. Many find these services deeply personal and meaningful, as they reflect the lived wisdom of our community.

Q: What does Rev. Nica do beyond preaching?

A: In addition to creating, writing, and leading Sunday worship, Rev. Nica serves the Chalice community in many vital ways. She offers pastoral care to our 200-member congregation, supports and supervises staff (including tech operations), oversees Chalice’s many programs, and participates in 25–30 committee meetings each month. She teaches classes, facilitates small groups, and officiates memorials, weddings, and community vigils. She supports our justice teams, the annual auction, and the finance and stewardship ministries. She also oversees our Wisdom Exploration programs and actively collaborates with Unitarian Universalist colleagues, interfaith leaders, speaks publicly at justice events, and represents Chalice in local and national UU organizations. Most weeks, Rev. Nica works 50–60 hours, including evenings and Saturdays, with Mondays as her only regular day off. Her ministry weaves together spiritual leadership, organizational guidance, and care for the whole Chalice community. 

Q: How do we cover all that in her absence?

A: Rev Nica has spent months preparing leaders and committees to step in to fill these roles. Many Chalice leaders are experienced in doing this from her last sabbatical, as well as lay-led times, and are gladly stepping up to cover again. The congregation approved a special budget to pay for all the guest speakers.

Q: Why doesn’t Rev. Nica preach every Sunday?

A: Unitarian Universalist ministers are encouraged in their UUA suggested contract to preach about 30–35 Sundays per year – typically 3 Sundays a month. This rhythm makes space for behind-the-scenes planning, leadership development, crisis response, collegial connections, and rest. Preparing worship each week requires deep reading, reflection, collaboration, and creativity – comparable to writing, directing, and producing a new play every week. This schedule allows her to offer meaningful, grounded, and inspiring services throughout the year.

Q: Whom should I contact if I have any needs or questions during her sabbatical?

• If you have a concern about a sudden problem, health concern, or need in your family, please reach out to the Pastoral Care Team at pastoralcare@chaliceuu.org. Team members are Sheri Hansen, Marcy Wingard, Carol Rosenthal, Andy Pletcher, Mary Freed, and Carol Jones.
• If there is a question about our physical buildings, perhaps you left something in the sanctuary and need it before the following Sunday, please reach out to our Administrator, Ana Johnson at admin@chaliceuu.org or our Facilities Director Chuck Fernald at operationsdirector@chaliceuu.org .
• If you feel there is a covenantal problem between you and another Chalice member, please reach out to the Committee On Shared Ministry (COSM) at cosm@chaliceuu.org. The members are Ellen Smith, Tim Snowber, Randall Edwards, Debbie Snider and Tom Wolf. You may reach out to any one of them individually, if you would prefer that. They will make a referral to our Conflict Resolution team if necessary.
• If there is a concern about the congregation’s spiritual health, or specifically how we are doing in Nica’s absence, please reach out to the Committee On Shared Ministry at cosm@chaliceuu.org.
• If there is a Chalice policy or mission/vision big picture leadership issue that you have a question about or think needs addressing, please reach out to the Board at Board@chaliceuu.org or President@chaliceuu.org. The members are Annie Barker, Danny Learned, Matt Chapa, Don Cooper, Ayanna Gaines, Shane Niebergall, and Ellen Smith. 
• If there is a question regarding Sunday Worship, please address it to worship@chaliceuu.org or contact Tim Snowber on behalf of the Worship Team at tmsnowber@gmail.com. 
• If there is a question regarding News and Notes, or scheduling something at Chalice, please reach out to our Chalice Administrator Ana Johnson at admin@chaliceuu.org.
• During the sabbatical, Rev. Nica will not be checking emails, texts or phone messages. Please do not send messages to her while she is away. Upon her return she will be debriefed by our President, Annie Barker.

Please bookmark or print this page for easy access or reach out to Annie Barker at President@chaliceuu.org if you have any further questions.