Congregational Leader Conversations, MidAmerica Region 2024-2025 Conversations

Congregational Leaders Conversations

In the 2024-2025 congregational year, the MidAmerica Region hosted monthly, topical conversations for lay and professional leaders of congregations, with guest presenters from across the UUA and the UU movement. Each conversation explores emergent concerns and developments, with resources and prompts for leaders to engage in their congregation. MidAmerica staff members Lauren Wyeth and David Pyle act as hosts.

Watch our most recent Congregational Leaders Conversations.

May 2025

Guest Rev. Ashley Horan, the UUA’s Vice President for Programs and Ministries, invited participants into reflection about the specific moment we are in – religiously, politically, globally, as Unitarian Universalists – and what our shared values are asking of congregational leaders in these times.

April 2025

Guests Charles DuMond and Rev. Meg Riley, Co-Moderators for the UUA, talked abuot General Assembly 2025 and—as they approach wrapping up five years as our Co-Moderators—shared stories about the highlights, what they wish they’d done differently, and what it’s been like to be leaders for our faith.

March 2025

Guest Joy Berry, the UUA’s Children and Families Faith Development Specialist, introduced us to a “whole church” faith development model that encourages new ways of learning together—both to align better with our shared hopes and values and to strengthen our ability to live into them.

February 2025

Guest Nicole Pressley, Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director of the UUA, offered her analysis of the current landscape, a galvanizing call to action, and a variety of resources for Unitarian Universalists seeking to mobilize their congregations.

January 2025

Guest Rev. Dr. Terasa Colley, author of Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil, talked with us about the physiological response to conflict, skills for healthy conversations, and tips for congregational communications.

November 2024

Guest Rev. Sara Green of Stewardship for Us is committed to developing stewardship systems that foster healing and inclusivity while bringing joy to our communities. Together we explored the changing nature of money in our congregations.

October 2024

Guests Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister of the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, and Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, Director of Communications and Public Ministry for the UUA. Their book Seeds of a New Way: Nurturing Authentic Diverse Religious Leadership explores how to foster and nourish diverse and authentic leadership within congregations.