Planning Letter From CUC Staff – Year at a Glance

Dear Canadian Unitarian Council Leaders and Friends, 

Welcome back into the rhythm of the congregational year. Your CUC staff are excited to be actively working with you once again – both through general public programming and specific supportive events and visits. This letter provides an overview of the CUC 2025-2026 program year, highlights for our newest offerings, and a brief reflection on this season of transition. 

Congregations, communities, organizations and individuals across the Canadian UU landscape are hard at work, imagining thriving, interdependent networks that bring our many gifts together. This year, as we intentionally embrace a spirit of Transition – we hope that you will join the activities and conversations, so we might all build together. It will be the curious, creative, and caring connections among us that continue to inspire and sustain this essential faith. 

The CUC is continuously working to elevate leadership and strengthen relationships, through a lens of interwoven wisdom – honouring the skills and insights of multiple ages and identities. 

Check out the new initiatives we’re adding to existing popular programming. 

Looking forwardd to working with you,

Your CUC staff Team.

2025 DATES: All events online unless otherwise noted (all times listed are ET)

AUGUST:

SEPTEMBER: Indigenous Solidarity Month at the CUC (see below for more information**)

*these online programs occur monthly, with varying themes

OCTOBER: *monthly program events +

  • Oct 8 *Rising Together 7:30  
  • Oct 15-19 CUC Board & Staff Retreat, with UU Ministers of Canada Exec guests 

NOVEMBER: *monthly program events +

DECEMBER: *monthly program events 

2026 DATES: More events will be added following Fall input (all times listed are ET)

*monthly program events + see below for “Fall 2025: projects under development”

JANUARY – JUNE 2026 NEW PROGRAM LAUNCH: RAMP (see below for more information***)

MAY: *monthly program events +

  • May 15-18 CanUUdle in Vancouver
  • May 17 National Service 1pm
  • May 23 CUC Annual Meeting 

DESCRIPTIONS of the Starred (*) Items in the Calendar Above:

*Recurring Programs: Rising Together, Connect & Deepen, Congregational Conversations, and Dismantling Barriers Events recur monthly. Details in eNews and on the Events Calendar. 

**September: Indigenous Solidarity Month at the CUC 

September marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report, and the Canadian Unitarian Council invites you to engage deeply with the legacy of the Indian Residential School System and future of reconciliation. 

***Join us for the CUC 2025 Fall Gathering – November 21-23!        

This year, we’re connecting, learning, and co-creating our way forward in these transformative times. Come explore how our diverse communities fit together to live our UU values in real, meaningful ways. Through hands-on workshops, big conversations, and bold visions, we’ll reflect, dream, and take action. Whether you feel steady, rooted, restless, or ready for something new– this weekend is for YOU.  Let’s explore the bigger picture, spark new ideas, and build connections that will carry us through the future! The weekend closes with a National Service: Turning Toward One Another, featuring Rev. Nicoline Guerrier. 

****We’re excited to announce RAMP – the Reciprocal Annual Mentorship Program!

Launching January–June 2026, RAMP is a bold, collaborative initiative from the Canadian Unitarian Council designed to help you RAMP UP your ideas, skills, connections and more by exploring sustainable, liberatory learning.

This experimental 6-month pilot includes two parts: public skill-building sessions open to all, and a deeper intergenerational mentorship track for 16 selected participants (8 pairs) working together on real-time projects. Both are being designed as shareable, repeatable models.

Co-created by the Justice & Equity, Dismantling Barriers, and Congregational Life teams, RAMP invites UUs across Canada to explore transformative learning, collaboration, and connection. This will be the CUC’s big experiment – in support of the Activating the Canadian UU Ecosystem Project. More information in September—stay tuned!

FALL 2025: PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

 Activating the Canadian UU Ecosystem Project

The Canadian Unitarian Council is a proud partner in the co-creation of this project – working 

with Canadian Ministers, Religious Educators, and Lay Leaders from across the country. A broadly collaborative initiative using a Sociocracy governance model, the CUC does not ‘own’ this project; we are an enthusiastic participant and supporter. Currently in the design phase, planning circles are hard at work and detailed news will be soon coming to a communication near you! 

Transforming Hearts Collective: Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement 

We’re excited to bring the Transforming Hearts Collective and their newest 3 session program to the national Canadian UU. Bonus – a special 4th session Q&A with the program’s creators. Format and dates will be released soon.

Questions or comments? Contact communications@cuc.ca.