Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti serves as senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has served extensively in denominational leadership, including as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association, as well as president of Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM). He is co-editor of Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment and Conversations with the Sacred: A Collection of Prayers.Nancy McDonald Ladd serves as senior minister of the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a national leader in broad-based community organizing and has served on the adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is the author of After the Good News: Progressive Faith Beyond Optimism.

“In Seeds of a New Way, Unitarian Universalist leaders offer authentic truth-telling and key reimaginings in a collaborative, interwoven whole that invites us to all that our liberal and liberating tradition may yet become. Here are honest stories about the pitfalls and possibilities inherent in the loving stewardship of our progressive movement. Here are prayers and longings for all that makes us whole. I invite you to dive into these reflections with an openness of spirit and a willingness to clear new pathways to the future of the faith." —Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association“Seeds of a New Way is an inspiring resource for those seeking to cultivate vibrant and diverse leadership within our congregations. Through a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, editors Manish Mishra Marzetti and Nancy McDonald Ladd and contributors illuminate a path toward doing the work of Beloved Community. This transformative collection not only celebrates the importance of diverse leadership but also provides invaluable insights and strategies for nurturing it within congregations. As we strive to embody the essence of Beloved Community, Seeds of a New Way serves as a guiding light, teaching us to sow seeds for a new way of being in community and cultivate a future filled with possibility, hope, and joy.” —Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, senior minister at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation and co-author of Katha Sagar, Ocean of Stories“Seeds of a New Way embarks on a captivating journey through the evolving landscape of religious leadership in Unitarian Universalism. It encourages us to embrace the vibrant tapestry of diversity on our shared faith path. This work highlights the essence of authentic leadership, emphasizing that it thrives when guided by trust and understanding. It invites us to envision our faith as a constellation, where each unique voice contributes its luminous essence to our shared values, guiding us towards profound understanding. It reminds us that our differences are guiding points of light, shaping the evolution of communal leadership. Amidst the narrative, the recurring affirmation of ‘I am’ and ‘we are’ echoes, reinforcing the book's central message. It calls us to transcend superficiality, creating space for every individual's right to presence and recognition in our faith. The book's artistry, both in storytelling and word selection, empowers through the eloquent expressions of selfhood by the leaders who grace its pages.” —Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, director of Worship Arts Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

• Preface PART I: Seeds Cast on Rocky Ground Beyond the Hustle by Nancy McDonald Ladd Encounters with “Dave” by Manish Mishra-Marzetti Tales of The Invisible Woman by Jessica York It Wasn’t Always This Way by Danielle Di Bona Freeing Ourselves from Orientalism and Binary Thinking by Summer Albayati Come, Come, Whoever You Are! By Niharika Chibber Joe Desert Flowers by Manish Mishra-Marzetti PART II: The Labor and the Tending Class Passing into UU Leadership by Teresa Youngblood When Power Shapes Values by Julián Jamaica Soto Collaborative Leadership for Collective Liberation by Aisha Hauser The Spirited Leader by Marta I. Valentín Rising into Beloved Community by Janice Marie Johnson Tokenize This by Nancy McDonald Ladd PART III: New Life Arises Leading Amid Trauma with Trust, Sustainability, and Care by Carey McDonald The Partial Gospel by Sarah Skochko Notes to Our People by Sofía Betancourt and Bill Sinkford When I Approach by Siren Hand Epilogue: Nourishing a New Way Contributors

Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti serves as senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has served extensively in denominational leadership, including as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association, as well as president of Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM). He is co-editor of Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment and Conversations with the Sacred: A Collection of Prayers.Nancy McDonald Ladd serves as senior minister of the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a national leader in broad-based community organizing and has served on the adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is the author of After the Good News: Progressive Faith Beyond Optimism.

“In Seeds of a New Way, Unitarian Universalist leaders offer authentic truth-telling and key reimaginings in a collaborative, interwoven whole that invites us to all that our liberal and liberating tradition may yet become. Here are honest stories about the pitfalls and possibilities inherent in the loving stewardship of our progressive movement. Here are prayers and longings for all that makes us whole. I invite you to dive into these reflections with an openness of spirit and a willingness to clear new pathways to the future of the faith." —Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association“Seeds of a New Way is an inspiring resource for those seeking to cultivate vibrant and diverse leadership within our congregations. Through a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, editors Manish Mishra Marzetti and Nancy McDonald Ladd and contributors illuminate a path toward doing the work of Beloved Community. This transformative collection not only celebrates the importance of diverse leadership but also provides invaluable insights and strategies for nurturing it within congregations. As we strive to embody the essence of Beloved Community, Seeds of a New Way serves as a guiding light, teaching us to sow seeds for a new way of being in community and cultivate a future filled with possibility, hope, and joy.” —Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, senior minister at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation and co-author of Katha Sagar, Ocean of Stories“Seeds of a New Way embarks on a captivating journey through the evolving landscape of religious leadership in Unitarian Universalism. It encourages us to embrace the vibrant tapestry of diversity on our shared faith path. This work highlights the essence of authentic leadership, emphasizing that it thrives when guided by trust and understanding. It invites us to envision our faith as a constellation, where each unique voice contributes its luminous essence to our shared values, guiding us towards profound understanding. It reminds us that our differences are guiding points of light, shaping the evolution of communal leadership. Amidst the narrative, the recurring affirmation of ‘I am’ and ‘we are’ echoes, reinforcing the book's central message. It calls us to transcend superficiality, creating space for every individual's right to presence and recognition in our faith. The book's artistry, both in storytelling and word selection, empowers through the eloquent expressions of selfhood by the leaders who grace its pages.” —Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, director of Worship Arts Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

• Preface PART I: Seeds Cast on Rocky Ground Beyond the Hustle by Nancy McDonald Ladd Encounters with “Dave” by Manish Mishra-Marzetti Tales of The Invisible Woman by Jessica York It Wasn’t Always This Way by Danielle Di Bona Freeing Ourselves from Orientalism and Binary Thinking by Summer Albayati Come, Come, Whoever You Are! By Niharika Chibber Joe Desert Flowers by Manish Mishra-Marzetti PART II: The Labor and the Tending Class Passing into UU Leadership by Teresa Youngblood When Power Shapes Values by Julián Jamaica Soto Collaborative Leadership for Collective Liberation by Aisha Hauser The Spirited Leader by Marta I. Valentín Rising into Beloved Community by Janice Marie Johnson Tokenize This by Nancy McDonald Ladd PART III: New Life Arises Leading Amid Trauma with Trust, Sustainability, and Care by Carey McDonald The Partial Gospel by Sarah Skochko Notes to Our People by Sofía Betancourt and Bill Sinkford When I Approach by Siren Hand Epilogue: Nourishing a New Way Contributors

Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti serves as senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has served extensively in denominational leadership, including as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association, as well as president of Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM). He is co-editor of Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment and Conversations with the Sacred: A Collection of Prayers.Nancy McDonald Ladd serves as senior minister of the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a national leader in broad-based community organizing and has served on the adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is the author of After the Good News: Progressive Faith Beyond Optimism.

“In Seeds of a New Way, Unitarian Universalist leaders offer authentic truth-telling and key reimaginings in a collaborative, interwoven whole that invites us to all that our liberal and liberating tradition may yet become. Here are honest stories about the pitfalls and possibilities inherent in the loving stewardship of our progressive movement. Here are prayers and longings for all that makes us whole. I invite you to dive into these reflections with an openness of spirit and a willingness to clear new pathways to the future of the faith." —Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association“Seeds of a New Way is an inspiring resource for those seeking to cultivate vibrant and diverse leadership within our congregations. Through a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, editors Manish Mishra Marzetti and Nancy McDonald Ladd and contributors illuminate a path toward doing the work of Beloved Community. This transformative collection not only celebrates the importance of diverse leadership but also provides invaluable insights and strategies for nurturing it within congregations. As we strive to embody the essence of Beloved Community, Seeds of a New Way serves as a guiding light, teaching us to sow seeds for a new way of being in community and cultivate a future filled with possibility, hope, and joy.” —Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, senior minister at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation and co-author of Katha Sagar, Ocean of Stories“Seeds of a New Way embarks on a captivating journey through the evolving landscape of religious leadership in Unitarian Universalism. It encourages us to embrace the vibrant tapestry of diversity on our shared faith path. This work highlights the essence of authentic leadership, emphasizing that it thrives when guided by trust and understanding. It invites us to envision our faith as a constellation, where each unique voice contributes its luminous essence to our shared values, guiding us towards profound understanding. It reminds us that our differences are guiding points of light, shaping the evolution of communal leadership. Amidst the narrative, the recurring affirmation of ‘I am’ and ‘we are’ echoes, reinforcing the book's central message. It calls us to transcend superficiality, creating space for every individual's right to presence and recognition in our faith. The book's artistry, both in storytelling and word selection, empowers through the eloquent expressions of selfhood by the leaders who grace its pages.” —Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, director of Worship Arts Ministries at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

• Preface PART I: Seeds Cast on Rocky Ground Beyond the Hustle by Nancy McDonald Ladd Encounters with “Dave” by Manish Mishra-Marzetti Tales of The Invisible Woman by Jessica York It Wasn’t Always This Way by Danielle Di Bona Freeing Ourselves from Orientalism and Binary Thinking by Summer Albayati Come, Come, Whoever You Are! By Niharika Chibber Joe Desert Flowers by Manish Mishra-Marzetti PART II: The Labor and the Tending Class Passing into UU Leadership by Teresa Youngblood When Power Shapes Values by Julián Jamaica Soto Collaborative Leadership for Collective Liberation by Aisha Hauser The Spirited Leader by Marta I. Valentín Rising into Beloved Community by Janice Marie Johnson Tokenize This by Nancy McDonald Ladd PART III: New Life Arises Leading Amid Trauma with Trust, Sustainability, and Care by Carey McDonald The Partial Gospel by Sarah Skochko Notes to Our People by Sofía Betancourt and Bill Sinkford When I Approach by Siren Hand Epilogue: Nourishing a New Way Contributors