Opportunities for Connection - September 2025

By Central East Region of the UUA

Introducing New CER Transitional Regional Lead, Rev. Bryon “Tyler” Coles

Tyler Coles, a person of African-American descent who has short facial hair and brown glasses, stands before a blurred cityscape.

Dear Ones,

I bring you greetings once more on behalf of your Central East Region Staff. I am the Rev. Byron Tyler Coles (they/he), and I am overjoyed to assume the role of Transitional Lead following the tenure of my predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Megan Foley.

The role and purpose of Regional Staff is unique in that our work is two-fold: ecclesiastical and administrative. Ecclesiastical in the sense that we work closely with religious professionals and lay leaders alike as you engage in the day-to-day ministry of your communities. Administrative in the ways that we craft resources, offer coaching, and provide meaningful partnerships in support of those ministries. Both of these are interwoven threads that bolster your collaborative ministry.

As Transitional Lead, I am guiding the work of your staff as we evolve to meet the needs of you, our leaders, and congregations, today. While the role of a regional lead is always the same — directing the regional staff, holding a long view of congregational wellbeing with staff and the resources we offer, and supporting congregations as they incarnate Unitarian Universalism in their respective location. The transitional aspect acknowledges that there is/will be an intentional shift in how the work is understood and engaged. This is similar in some ways to that of Transitional Ministry. We are mindful in your UUA’s Congregational Life Department that the Church’s embodiment of its ministry, but not its overall mission, has changed drastically over the last five years. As such, we are now beginning a chapter of discernment and strategic planning to be better suited to help you meet those changes.

Please be sure to look to the region’s various communication streams for more updates to come. In the meantime, I am deeply looking forward to getting acquainted with the region, learning about your ministries, and partnering together as we co-create the Beloved Community on Earth as it is in Heaven.

In Faith,
Rev. Byron Tyler Coles

Stay up to date with the Region by subscribing to our Better Together blog, or on social media. You can learn more about Rev. Coles on his UUA staff page.

UUA Ingathering Video

Headshot of Rev. Sofia Betancourt in her office.
Your congregation is invited to use the new Ingathering Video as part of your ingathering service.

Leadership Learning Opportunities

Leadership

The Congregational Life Staff are offering a number of opportunities for congregational leaders to develop skills and network.

Congregational Leaders Conversation
September 23 (monthly, generally 4th Tuesdays), 7:30-9pm ET. Each month, leaders from across the country gather to hear an esteemed guest speak on an emergent issue, hopeful development, or pressing concern in Unitarian Universalism. The presentation is followed by time for Q&A and small group discussion. If you are a lay or professional leader in a UU congregation or community — in the role of clergy, Board member, welcome team volunteer, administrator, small group facilitator, Religious Educator, or another capacity — we hope you’ll join the conversation. Register for the Congregational Leaders Conversation

Southern Region Primer Leadership Training
Wednesday, October 15th, 7:00 PM to 08:00 PM ET
The Primer section is a self-paced experience with recorded lectures, supplemental materials, and one live processing session. The topics covered in the Primer LE are UU Theology, Covenant, and UU History. The Primer section of the Leadership Experience builds your foundation in and connection to Unitarian Universalism. This section is for newer members who would like a grounding in our shared faith AND for long-time members who would like to deepen their relationship with our shared faith as well as gain a fuller understanding of what it means to be an every-day Unitarian Universalist. All ages are welcome for this online offering, and they are a wonderful augmentation to Coming of Age, Youth, Young Adult, and membership development programs in your congregation. Learn more and register.

The Southern Region is also offering Essentials of UU Leadership in 3 sessions in January and February 2026. Learn more at the event page.

Wave Cohorts

Helping Our Communities Thrive: A Meet the Moment Wave Cohort for UUA Congregational Life Work
The UUA needs your input this fall! Join a one-time wave cohort to envision the most effective interventions that Congregational Life Field Staff can make in the lives of our congregations and communities. Your session will help you imagine what helps a UU community flourish and how that process might be aided by Congregational Life work.
Pick the most appropriate group for you (just one!) from these options*:

  • Lay Leaders/Congregants: Monday, September 29th, 8 pm ET Lay Leader Registration. This event is for lay leaders in congregations.
  • Lay Leaders/Congregants Holding Traditionally Marginalized Identities: Monday, October 8th, 8 pm ET. This event is for lay leaders holding traditionally marginalized identities such as people of color, trans and nonbinary people and those with disabilities. (This space is only for those with traditionally marginalized identities.)
  • Religious Professionals: Monday, October 28th, 8 pm ET. This event is for religious professionals like ministers, religious educators, musicians, administrators and other paid staff.

Additional cohort opportunities can be found on the UUA website. Find additional learning and networking opportunities in our Better Together Blog from August 25th.

RE Resources and Programs

Exploring new Models for Faith Development and Religious Education: A Summit on Faith Formation in this Moment
October 3-5, 2025

A colorful space with paintings of chalices, classroom chairs in front of a window and a chalice on a small table with a Colorfarm tie-dyed altar cloth.

Come shape the future of UU faith development! All who’ve benefitted from and care about UU faith development are welcome: parents, youth, adults, lay leaders, volunteers, and religious professionals. This summit will focus on the faith formation needs of this current moment and your particular context — both big-picture models and specific activities and topics. Come share what you know, learn from each other, and help us map the landscape of innovations that are working in UUism.

  • 10/3 Friday night: 7-9 Eastern or 7-9 pm Pacific
  • 10/4 Saturday: 12 – 4:30pm Eastern
  • 10/5 Sunday: Pre-created resources for your congregation’s Sunday service and community engagement
Register and learn about this event! Registration deadline Sunday, September 28th.

RE Kickoff: Connections and Context for Religious Education Teams

Available online now; self-facilitated and asynchronous This easy-to-use RE Kickoff Retreat can be self-facilitated and is a great way for RE leaders to get aligned on your program’s core purposes and priorities. Dig into the latest thinking on what’s working – on Sunday mornings and throughout the week – in programs that are inviting, engaging and affirming for children, youth and families. Close with building a plan for your RE Team’s work in the year ahead. View the RE Kickoff online or download the print-friendly PDF.

Pledge Drive 101 October Series

Colorful image of diverse cartoon people building a lightbulb puzzle surrounded by funky colorful pieces. With a title at the top reading pledge drive 101

Do you have questions about what makes a pledge drive effective today? Join us for a three-session webinar designed for stewardship teams engaged in a spring pledge drive. We will explore current congregational giving trends, pledge drive practices that are working, and examples of real UU congregations who have experienced pledge drive successes. Register one time for all three sessions! Note, Congregations must register as teams, with three people per congregational team. Don’t know your team members yet? Register anyway and send your team the registration form when you know. Register and learn more here.

Session dates & times:

  • Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 7:00 PM — 9:00 PM ET
  • Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 7:00 PM — 9:00 PM ET
  • Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 7:00 PM — 9:00PM ET

Registration closes: Friday October 3rd.

The Woodlands

A colorful promotional flyer for a trans* spiritual care program titled “The Woodlands.” The background is forest green with a large cartoon-style tree on the right and several woodland animals (a squirrel, a beaver, and a fox) sitting at the base. A bluebird is flying near the top center, and green hearts are used as decorative elements.

Small Congregations Month

Small Congregations Month. March is Small Congregations Month. Over the course of the month participants are invited to take part in a webinar series that is intentional designed to support the vitality of small and lay-led congregations. Save the dates! March 3rd, 12th, 18th and 24th.

Side with Love Events

Black inkbrush heart with words "Side with Love"

The Gathering is a monthly virtual event from Side With Love, designed to offer:

  • Spiritual Grounding – Strengthen your heart and spirit for the work ahead.
  • Political Analysis – Understand the threats to democracy and justice.
  • Collective Action – Organize with others to block anti-democratic forces and build a just and loving world.

Upcoming topics for The Gathering:

  • Monday, September 8th: Solidarity with Deepa Iyer
  • Monday, October 13th: Land
  • Monday, November 10th: Elections
  • Monday, December 8th: Theology

Upcoming Gatherings

Side with Love News

  • UU the Vote is hiring three new roles to lead our expanded vision for UU the Vote 2026. Learn more about these positions.
  • Green Sanctuary 2030 Poster coming to all congregations — to help your congregation track your actions from 2026-2030.

Better Together Blog: Finding Refuge in Poetry

Cassandra Montenegro

by Cassandra Montenegro

This week Cassandra Montenegro shares a poem by Richard Blanco that sustains her.

Watch the video and read the rest of the article and sign up for our weekly email!

News from the UUA

Non-Fellowshipped Ministers Gathering. Ministers who are not fellowshipped with the UUA and are serving UU congregations are invited to gather monthly with the MidAmerica’s Regional Lead. We will share information, experiences, and resources with one another and explore questions concerning the UUA and Unitarian Universalism. Register now. Meets are second Tuesday of the month beginning September 9th. Details at the UUA website.

Survey Coming October 1
UUA congregations are being asked to participate in a national study of religious life in America. The Faith Communities Today (FACT) series, begun in 2000, provides critical information from 25+ different faith groups about the changing nature of congregational life. Congregational Administrators, Board Presidents and Ministers will receive a link for the survey on October 1st. The survey is completely confidential and the combined results will be published early next year at the FACT website. In the late Spring, the UUA will also host a learnings conversation for our communities. Thank you for participating!

The UU Mental Health Network Board is looking for board members. They are looking for candidates who have a passion to help make a difference on mental health issues in UU congregations. Read the job description and reach out by mid-October if you are interested.

Don’t forget the Community Resilience Hub!
If your congregation is struggling with how to respond in this moment, please check out the UUA’s Resilience Hub. This is a location where we are gathering resources to help congregations build strong, connected, and resilient communities.

The Spark RE and Music Leadership Professional Development Programs provide Unitarian Universalist Religious Professionals learning communities within which they can easily access applicable skills and tools for religious leadership. Courses are also open to interested lay leaders. Check out the lists of classes, these are great resources!

The UUA has a Disaster Relief Fund for those who want to make a donation to help congregations who have faced losses due to tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires and more. Please donate if you can. Learn more about the work of the Disaster Relief Fund. We are Better Together.

New publications from the UUA - Skinner House is pleased to announce 2 children’s books: Blue Boat Home by Peter Mayer and illustrated by Sue Todd is now available for order, and Wind, Stop Blowing! by Laura Alary and illustrated by Sue Teodoro is available for pre-order. Also available for pre-order is Impassioned: A Guide to Progressive Preaching by Rev. Lucas Hergert. Check out the UUA bookstore for all Beacon Press and Skinner House books.

The UUA is hiring for several positions including our open CER Staff position. Find job descriptions and application information at their Job Openings webpage.

Calendar Items and News

For events, webinars and congregation news and events visit the following pages: