Your MidAmerica Regional Staff offer this collection of programs designed to support your leadership in your congregation and our larger UU movement. We look forward to all we will explore and the connections we will build in the year ahead.

Congregational Leaders Conversation

4th Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm ET / 6:30-8pm CT

Sep 23, Oct 28, *Nov 18, *Dec 16, Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 28, May 26

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 Congregational Leaders Conversation

MidAmerica Congregational Board Members Gathering

2nd Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm ET / 6:30-8pm CT

Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13

We are experimenting with something new this year! Congregational Board Members are invited to join the MidAmerica Regional staff for a monthly gathering. We will introduce a topic and share relevant information and resources, then facilitate breakout rooms based on the size of our congregations. Please register even if you are uncertain if you will attend, so that you receive shared resources and information.

Register for MidAmerica Congregational Board Members Gathering

Questions? Contact David Pyle, dpyle@uua.org

Congregational Board Retreat Template

Available online now; self-facilitated and asynchronous

This resource is designed to help you plan and facilitate your own board retreat, without having to design everything yourself. The template includes ideas for rooting into covenant and mission, thinking about the big picture, and setting goals and intentions together. If you wish to have an outside facilitator, the MidAmerica Region has Adjunct Consultants available for in-person and online facilitation.

View the Board Retreat Template

Pledge Drive 101

Wednesdays, 7-9pm ET / 6-8pm CT

Oct 8, Oct 22, Oct 29

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 for Pledge Drive 101

The Gathering, by Side with Love

2nd Mondays, 8-9:15pm ET / 7-8:15pm CT

Sep 10, Oct 13, Nov 10, Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11

Join Side With Love’s monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others! You can watch or attend live, and the recordings are available for use in your congregation afterwards.

Register for The Gathering, by Side with Love

Questions? Contact Side with Love, love@uua.org

Now What: The Gathering for Congregational Leaders

Wednesday after The Gathering, 1-2:15pm ET / 12-1:15pm CT

Sep 12, Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 10, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 15, May 13

Now What: The Gathering for Congregational Leaders is an alternative version of The Gathering, designed especially for staff and board members of UU congregations. We offer condensed access to the content from The Gathering, with additional breakout sessions for congregational leaders to reflect and strategize.

Register for Now What: The Gathering for Congregational Leaders

MidAmerica Clergy Gathering

3rd Wednesdays, 11am-12pm ET / 10-11am CT

Sep 17, *Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 17, Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, *Apr 22, May 20

We are experimenting with something new this year! All clergy are invited to join the MidAmerica Regional staff for a monthly gathering. Staff will briefly share relevant content, then clergy will move to breakout rooms with their primary contacts for conversation. Open to anyone serving in a professional ministerial role in a MidAmerica UU congregation. Please register even if you are uncertain if you will attend, so that you receive shared resources and information. Invitations with a registration link will be emailed to clergy.

Questions? Reach out to your Primary Contact

Non-Fellowshipped Ministers Gathering

2nd Tuesdays, 3-4pm ET / 4-5pm CT

Sep 9, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9, Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12

Ministers who are not fellowshipped with the Unitarian Universalist Association and are serving UU congregations are invited to gather monthly with MidAmerica’s Regional Lead. We will share information, experiences, and resources with one other and explore questions concerning the UUA and Unitarian Universalism. Non-fellowshipped ministers from across the country are welcome to join.

Register for Non-Fellowshipped Ministers Gathering

MidAmerica Developmental Ministers Gathering

2nd Thursdays, 1-2pm ET / 12-1pm CT

Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14

Developmental Ministers serving in the MidAmerica Region gather to share and connect over their particular work to accompany congregations in meeting their developmental goals.

Register for MidAmerica Developmental Ministers Gathering

MidAmerica Congregational Administrators Gathering

Wednesdays, 11am-12:30pm ET / 10-11:30pm CT

Sep 10, Dec 10, Mar 11

What’s working? Where do you need support? Meet with fellow congregational administrators to check-in, problem-solve, brainstorm, and celebrate how your work is developing.

Register for MidAmerica Congregational Administrators Gathering

Exploring New Models for Faith Development and Religious Education: A Summit on Faith Formation in This Moment

Friday, 7-9pm ET / 6-8pm CT and Saturday, 12-4:30pm ET / 11am-3:30pm CT 

Oct 3-4, with resources for your congregation’s Sunday service and community engagement on Oct 5

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 needs of this current moment and your particular context – both big picture models and specific activities and topics. Share what you know, learn from others, and help us map the landscape of innovation.

Register for Exploring New Models for Faith Development and RE

Questions? Contact Erica Baron, ebaron@uua.org

MidAmerica Religious Education Professionals Gathering

Tuesdays, 12-1pm ET / 11am-12pm CT

Nov 11, Feb 10, May 5

Religious Education Professionals serving MidAmerica congregations gather quarterly. In community we explore our questions, seek help where we’re stuck, celebrate successes, notice trends, collaborate, and share resources.

Register for MidAmerica Religious Education Professionals Gathering

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. If you wish to have an outside facilitator, the MidAmerica Region has Adjunct Consultants available for in-person and online facilitation.

View the RE Kickoff online or download the print-friendly PDF

New Religious Education Professional Orientation

Fridays, 2-4pm ET / 1-3pm CT

Jan 9, Jan 23, Feb 6

If you are a newer religious professional serving in UU faith development, this series will provide connection, community, and context. Get your bearings, build professional relationships, and learn about religious education resources in this series, facilitated by UUA staff and experienced religious educators.

Register for New Religious Education Professional Orientation