Normalizing Change
Cohort Details
Change is a constant: in everyday life and in the life of congregations. An affirming relationship with change involves a willingness to take creative and innovative risks in addressing shifting circumstances.
A cohort of UU leaders – Changemakers – making changes in areas of congregational/communal life have been meeting to reflect on the nature of change and change leadership. Now, we invite all UU leaders to join in the conversation!
Post-event Materials
Resources from the event – Even more resources can be found in this Google Folder. This is a live folder that will be updated periodically, so keep an eye out for new updates.
Full conference recording (YouTube video 2hrs 35min)
- Q&A section starts here at the 2-hour mark of the full-length video
Storytelling from cohort leaders:
- Rev. Jennifer Gracen from St. John’s UU Church, Cincinnati, OH– Recording on Youtube (10min)
- Rev. Julie Conrady, Julie Nicholson-Morgan, and Lynn Snow from the UU Church of Birmingham and UU Congregation of Tuscaloosa, AL – Recording on YouTube (17min)
- Rick Schwartz UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, NY– Recording on YouTube (9min)
- Rev. Gretchen Haley from Foothills Unitarian Church, Fort Collins, CO– Recording on YouTube (23min) & Presentation (PDF)
- Rev. Brock Leach Consultant of Emerging Ministries– Recording on YouTube(16min) & Presentation (PDF)
- *Rev. Sara LaWall from UU Fellowship Boise, ID –Recording and Nov. 18th Q&A (28min YouTube video)Presentation
If the resources feel overwhelming, we know it can seem like we gave you a lot of resources. Please look at them with this in mind: it all fits together. If, we are intentional and understand:
- Why do we need to work for any change
- The issue, and whether it is adaptive or technical
- That we can choose to work for the changes we wish to see
- Where our congregations are developmentally
- The plans and strategies we develop need to be flexible and adaptable
If you look at these resources with this in mind, you can see how you would use them to help our congregations to lean into their mission and amplify the values of Unitarian Universalism in the world.
A Day of Exploration, November 15, 2025 – Open to All Leaders of UU Congregations/Communities
TIMES: 2pm Eastern / 1pm Central / Noon Mountain / 11am Pacific (8am Hawaii/10am Alaska)
DURATION: 4 hours
We are bringing UU leaders together for a half-day event to foster conversations about doing change work in our congregations and communities. Members of the Normalizing Change cohort will present their learnings and Stories of Change. Cohort members and facilitators will also reflect on theories of change and what sustains and supports changemakers.
The day will include presentations from changemakers, conversations among participants, learnings from facilitators, and next steps for your own change work and leadership in your community.
We know, in these times, our cup can feel empty. This day will refill your cup with energy, examples, connections, resources, and encouragement for the life-saving work of our faith.Please join us by registering here. Registration is free, but required. Please register by 1pm ET on Saturday, November 15th.
What to expect
On Saturday, you will hear from leaders about their experience actively working towards change in their congregations. You will experience their similar challenges and opportunities and have time to reflect upon how their stories can enrich your own learning around the nature of change. The work of transforming is often not easy. It becomes more normal as we explore theories of change and share how our experiences relate to the experiences of others in our rapidly evolving world. Agenda.
Facilitators
- Jessica York (Director of Congregational Life)
- Natalie Briscoe (Lead, Southern Region)
- Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson (Congregational Life Consultant, MidAmerica Region, UUA
- Connie Goodbread, Hope for Us Conflict Engagement Team Director
- Paula Cole Jones, Congregational Life Consultant, Central East Region