The 2025-26 UU Common Read is Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection by Deepa Iyer.

Registration will open soon!

What is a Common Read?

When we do a UU Common Read together, we share in reflection, learning, and action. A Common Read can take us on a powerful journey into what it means to be human and accountable in a world filled with both pain and joy. UUCUC has committed to participate in the Common Read each year. 

Learn more about the Common Read on the UUA website here!

Social Change Now

This year, Unitarian Universalists are invited to explore Iyer’s work through the lens of our UU faith and shared values. Participants explore Iyer’s Ecosystem model, the roles that comprise it, and how these can support the congregational community and, in turn, our role in wider communities where we work with others for social change.

UUCUC is one of many UU congregations exploring this Common Read in 2025-26. We will have three sessions to offer reflection, discussion, and group work to apply learning from Social Change Now to the congregation as a social justice ecosystem. These three sessions build on each other, so please try to attend all three sessions.

Our dates for the Common Read this winter will be:

 

Saturday Jan. 17, 10 am-noon

Saturday Feb. 7, 10 am-noon

Saturday Feb. 28, 10 am-noon

This will be a hybrid event, primarily held in person in Fellowship Hall with the option to join via Zoom.

Ordering the Book

You can purchase the book on your own at the UU InSpirit Bookstore or UUCUC online storefront on Bookshop.  

If you need financial support to purchase the book, please indicate this in the registration question about the book.

We suggest you read most of the book BEFORE the first session (Jan. 17). Complete some of the reflections in your book before we meet, so we can have some common understanding to begin discussing the topics together. 

What to Expect in each Common Read session? 

We will explore the themes in the book together through large and small group discussion, journalling, and reviewing pertinent handouts and visuals to connect what the author is saying to our daily lives in community with each other. UUCUC will provide handouts and journaling materials (or you can bring your own). Bring your book, Social Change Now, to each session. 

Those participating virtually will have breakout rooms for small group discussion. Those participating in person may be paired up or discuss questions around each table. We will be using a microphone for accessibility as well as visual slides. Participants will have the opportunity at the end to give feedback about the Common Read so we can continue to improve in our programming at UUCUC.

This Common Read is co-sponsored by the Adult Faith Development team and the Council on Shared Leadership. The co-facilitators are Natalie Danner (Faith Development) and Pat McClard (Council on Shared Leadership).

We are excited to explore this book together!