Shifting Paradigms: A Limited Series Discussion

February 2026

Shared ministry, dismantling supremacy culture, beloved community – many of these phrases and ideas seem great, but also sometimes frustratingly abstract; it can be hard to understand how we actually “do” these things! Often this work is pushing at the edges of what we know, since the dominant culture is the only thing many of us have ever known. How can we help support our community of communities in a shift toward a more liberatory, faithful, and authentically multicultural paradigm, if we have not experienced it ourselves?

To answer this question – and to help our congregation explore some shared reference points, understanding, and imagining around what is possible – we are launching a new Shifting Paradigms Series. Each session will focus on a different book that explores a particular aspect of or perspective on the social change that many of us want to bring about. Participants are asked to read the book in advance, reflecting on the following questions as they read. Each discussion will be a sharing and listening of what came up in answer to these questions. 

What areas of resonance, celebration, or affirmation did you encounter? What passages or messages prompted a “YES!” from you?

Were there any parts that prompted resistance, confusion, challenge, or conflict within you?

Considering your points of resonance and resistance from the first two questions, is there an invitation or emerging understanding that you are now wanting to explore?

How is this relevant to the life of this church, as a community of communities? How can we use or apply this understanding?

The hope is that through these discussions, we can spark our individual and collective imagination and creativity, enabling us to engage more deeply and intentionally in the paradigm shift toward beloved community. Below are the dates and books scheduled so far in the Shifting Paradigms Series:

February 1, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Social Change Now by Deepa Iyer (THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL – email leighann.luscan@richmonduu.org to be added to a waitlist)

March 15, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, emergent strategy by adrienne maree brown (registration open: https://forms.gle/U1djj1ZGunUEUQFY8)

May 3, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM,  Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone  (registration open: https://forms.gle/pmHcUJojeUdiKsv27)

The Shifting Paradigms Series will resume at the end of the summer with discussions of Mistakes & Miracles by Nancy Palmer Jones, See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur, and Citizens by Jon Alexander.

If you need the church to help you with getting a copy of one of the books, please reply to this email.   If you have questions, comments, or would like to volunteer as a facilitator, please email Rev. Anna Tulou at anna.tulou@richmonduu.org.

January 2026

This year’s Common Read from the UUA is Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection & Connection, by Deepa Iyer. (If you participated in the January 4 worship, this was the book Rev Anna talked about.)  On Sunday February 1, 11:30 – 1:00, Rev Anna will facilitate a discussion of this book as the first installment in the Shifting Paradigms series, (more information on this series is coming soon, but its primary focus will be on aspects of moving out of a supremacist/hierarchical paradigm and into a more authentically multicultural paradigm).
If you would like to participate in this discussion of Social Change Now, please register here. Participants are invited to bring a nut-free lunch to eat during the discussion and are asked to read the book ahead of time. The book can be purchased through the UUA InSpirit bookstore or other major retailers (if cost is an issue, please let us know in the comments on the registration form as soon as possible so that we can get you a copy). The book is also available in ebook and audiobook formats.
Participants are asked to ponder the following questions while reading:
  1. What areas of resonance, celebration, or affirmation did you encounter? What passages or messages prompted a “YES!” from you?
  2. Were there any parts that prompted resistance, confusion, challenge, or conflict within you?
  3. Considering your points of resonance and resistance from the first two questions, is there an invitation or emerging understanding that you are now wanting to explore?
  4. How might this be relevant or useful to this church, as a community of communities?