Step into the Season of Change: October 2025 Update from Side With Love
As autumn arrives, the turning leaves remind us of the truth at the heart of our faith: change is constant, and transformation is possible. Just as the seasons shift, so too can our world- when we act together with love and courage.
Side With Love is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Organizing Strategy Team. We are a network of organizers, leaders, and justice partners, rooted in the power of love and committed to building a world where all people can thrive. Through bold organizing, spiritual grounding, and collective action, we help Unitarian Universalists and our allies move from values to action: confronting oppression and practicing democracy, care, and liberation in our daily lives.
This month, we invite you to step into the season of change with us. In October, we'll join with millions at the #NoKings National Day of Mobilization, discover co-conspiratorship at The Gathering on Oct 13th, and claim our power to fight for a clean energy future on Oct 15th. You’ll find opportunities to grow your leadership, join collective campaigns, and deepen your grounding in the spiritual work of justice. (Don’t forget: we have a weekly action center with curated resources and actions. Check out this week’s update!)
Together, we can build a multiracial democracy, defend the sacredness of every body, and nurture communities where joy, belonging, and liberation are possible for all.
Because love is not just our ethic—it is our strategy, our grounding, and our call.
In solidarity,
The Side With Love team
PS: We’re hiring two positions: Bodily Autonomy Organizer and Clara Barton Reproductive Justice Organizing Intern! Learn more and apply!
NO KINGS National Day of Mobilization 10/18/2025
Image description: On a blue background is a black and white stylized photograph of two hands holding up a sign that reads "No Kings" with a drawing of a crown crossed out. Above it, in white text against a red background, reads: "Join us to Make it Clear" then "America Has No Kings. Power Belongs to the People." There's a red line, and then white text reads: "Saturday, October 18".
The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization on Saturday, October 18. Building on the momentum from the first No Kings protests in June, we are mobilizing for another mass day of resistance, resilience, and action. Our commitment to building a multiracial democracy shows up in how we resist the abduction and deportation of our immigrant community members; how we resist voter suppression in the legislature and at the ballot box; how we celebrate our LGBTQ+ kin and communities - and on October 18, shows up in how we collectively cry out No Kings!
Join us on Oct 13 for The Gathering: Co-Conspiratorship
Image description: A black background with white and yellow handwritten and typed text above cropped photos of Katie Resendiz and Clyde Grubbs, in circle frames. The Gathering. Grounding: Katie Resendiz. Speaker: Clyde Grubbs. Monday, Oct. 13 at 8 ET, 7 CT, 6 MT, 5 PT, 4 AKT, 2 HT on Zoom. “Gathering” is underlined in yellow, with yellow hand-drawn rays above it.
At our October 13th Gathering on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we will get grounded with story by Katie Resendiz, who most recently served as Director of Children’s Ministry at the UU Congregation of Phoenix. UU minister Rev. Clyde Grubbs (Texas Cherokee) will invite us to an examination of Colonialism violently imposed on the land and people in contrast to the indigenous understanding of all our relations. The Gathering is Side With Love’s monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others! Join us live or watch the recording later. On “Columbus Day”, it is good to remember and recommit to our collective liberation.
October 15: Claiming Our Power to Fight for a Clean Energy Future
The Green Sanctuary 2030 community meetings are here to support your congregation’s climate ministry, whether your congregation is just beginning this work or has long been engaged. Come together for shared learning and mutual support with Side With Love staff and UUs around the country.
Image description: A light green background, decorated with green spotlights and yellow flowers in the corners, and dark blue and black text. In the center is a cropped photo of the view behind UUs standing at a podium and sitting together in a meeting room. They are wearing shirts with the state of Georgia and text that says, “PLEASE SAVE CLIMATE. IMPLEMENT RENEWABLE POWER.” Claiming Our Power to Fight for a Clean Energy Future. Wednesday, October 15, 1pm HT, 3pm AKT, 4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET.
October 15: Claiming Our Power to Fight for a Clean Energy Future at 1pm HT / 3pm AKT / 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET
Advocating at Public Utility Commissions is an incredibly impactful way to shape our energy future. It's also a hugely overlooked opportunity! Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) regulate utility prices, resource planning and acquisition, reliability and quality of service regulation. If you’re not sure what that all means, you’re not alone! Advocating for fair utility regulations can be intimidating to outsiders, which benefits those who are more concerned with profit than people. PUCs wield significant power and their decisions affect clean energy and air quality, impacting both greenhouse gas mitigation and climate resilience. Learn how the UU Georgia Legislative Action Network is making good trouble for climate justice as they remind the Georgia Utility Commissioners and Elected Officials that people have the power to choose a just and moral path for our energy future.
Watch: Solidarity Stances with Deepa Iyer and Nicole Pressley
Image description: A black background with white and yellow handwritten and typed text above cropped photos of Parker Woodland and Deepa Iyer and Nicole Pressley, in circle frames. The Gathering. Music: Parker Woodland. Speaker:Deepa Iyer. “Gathering” is underlined in yellow, with yellow hand-drawn rays above it.
We are so grateful for the many ways that Unitarian Universalists and friends are practicing solidarity these days, and especially grateful for the chance to deepen our understanding of solidarity stances with Deepa Iyer and Nicole Pressley at September’s The Gathering. We hope you were inspired by Parker Woodlands’ music, the Zoom full of folks seeking to live our faith with courage and integrity, and by the insights and invitations from Deepa and Nicole.
