Who are we?
The United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Incorporated (UCCMA) is a non-profit, national organization of musicians, clergy and friends associated with the United Church of Christ who support each other in the ministry of music and worship. Our members represent the broad range of lay and ordained people serving large and small congregations across the country—from the full-time minister of music to the occasional lay volunteer. UCCMA is a grassroots association run entirely by volunteers and is organized and operated exclusively for religious and educational purposes. We offer professional support, education, networking and resources unique to the needs of our denomination.

 Why do we exist?

Each denomination has its own history and its own unique polity that affects church musicians and the ways they relate to the church. Denominational musicians organizations have been organized because they are best equipped to understand and address the needs of those musicians serving a particular denomination.
 What is our purpose?


What are our goals?

  • Establish integrity and standards of excellence in the practice of our vocation.

  • Provide a network of communication to share ideas throughout our denomination.

  • Foster a relationship of mutual respect and trust between clergy, musicians and other professional church staff members.

  • Encourage equitable compensation and benefits for musicians working in churches.

  • Support the creation of new musical works for use in sacred worship services.

 
The purpose of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association is to foster and nurture those who minister through music. We seek to encourage, through the fellowship of the Association, the sharing of ideas and skills among members, and to endeavor to disseminate the results of this sharing throughout the denomination.
 How are we organized?
UCCMA is guided by a volunteer board of directors supported by various committees. Our primary financial support comes from the annual dues of our members. We are a working association that welcomes the input and initiatives of our members. Our by-laws are available by clicking here.
 What is our history?
UCCMA began as the dream of a small group of musicians in Connecticut who felt a strong need for professional support from colleagues in our denomination. In 1993, this group banded together and launched the United Church of Christ Musicians Association as an independent, incorporated organization in 1994. A year later, the first newsletter was issued. In 1999, UCCMA began publishing Worship, Music and Ministry, a journal that offers in-depth analysis of current music issues and resources for music and worship. Our website was added in 2001.

In 1998, UCCMA took an important step forward in its development. The organization initiated a four-day national conference to be held biennially in the summer. The first was held at the Trinity Conference Center in Cornwall, Connecticut and was deemed a critical success and set the model and tone for conferences to follow. Subsequent conferences have been held in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and twice in Pennsylvania and have drawn participants from coast to coast. Conference 2010 will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
 What do we offer?

To those who join UCCMA, we provide:

  • UCC Musicians News, a newsletter published six times a year

  • Worship, Music and Ministry, a professional journal published three times a year

  • Job placement listing service and consultation on employment issues

  • Biennial national conference offering an array of workshops and worship services

  • Annual address directory of membership

  • Supportive environment for learning skills and connecting with colleagues

 Where are we?

Our mailing address is:

UCCMA, Inc.
P.O. Box 112143
Stamford, CT 06911-2143

We are located nationally on the web and locally as close as your mailbox. The members of our board of directors come from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nebraska, New York and Texas. Our current membership represents 25 states. Our goal is to continue to develop nationally.
 More Info
For any questions not answered on these pages, you are welcome to contact our president Fran Morton or any of the board members.