For women of my generation who came to ministry later in life after working inside or outside the home, their experience of ministry is likely different than that of men. This group of women have often taken calls to small or rural churches or as associate pastors. Accordingly, these clergy women, who will be included in my study, will probably approach retirement differently than their male counterparts. Women clergy who have spent their entire career in ministry and who may view retirement more like their male counterparts, will also be included in my study.

I will conduct Reflection Groups (both in person and via Zoom) comprised of retired UCC clergy women. Retired UCC clergy women who do not participate in a Reflection Group will be invited to complete an on-line survey. In addition to submitting demographic data, participants will be asked to identify those strategies which they employed during the transition to retirement. Strategies which both helped and hindered will be considered.

Based on study findings, I will develop a resource of best practices for UCC clergy women who are about to retire or have recently retired from ministry. This resource will be readily accessible on-line and in digital downloadable form. Clergy women from other denominations will have access to the resource. I anticipate the study findings will serve as the foundation for a book. The book would be an expansion of the initial resource by including stories from retired UCC clergy women as well as stories from retired clergy women from other mainline denominations.