As the days grow shorter and darkness lingers, we are reminded that this season has always been an invitation: to gather close, to share warmth, and to draw on the resources we carry within and among us. Our talents, insights, lived experiences, enthusiasm — and most importantly, our stories — become light in the dark. When we bring them together, they not only connect us, they inspire change.
I hope the end of the year brings with it peace, good company, and a little excitement! It’s hard not to look ahead with anticipation if for no other reason than to enjoy more sunlight during the day. Also, July 2026 will mark 250 years since the writing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. To celebrate this milestone and reflect on examples of leadership since then, The Meetinghouse is launching several activities in the new year to explore themes in leadership and community empowerment:
Book Club & Co‑Leadership Practicum Workshops
We are excited to announce the 2026 Meetinghouse Book Club: Small and Revolutionary: Stories about Community and Transformative Change.
This year‑long series honors the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by exploring how everyday acts of courage, imagination, and care can spark transformative change. Each month we’ll gather around a selected book and theme, with opportunities to participate at different levels:
- Read Along (Free): Follow the book list and join in spirit from home.
- Book Club Discussions ($15 each / $50 for a 4‑pack): Participate in monthly 60‑minute moderated discussions and activities with refreshments, centered on the monthly co‑leadership theme of the book. Dates will be announced in January 2026. along with registration information.
- Co‑Leadership Practicum Workshops ($250 for the year): Hands‑on, experiential learning spaces for young adults and new leaders to practice the art of leading with others rather than over others. These workshops emphasize shared responsibility, mutual respect, and collective innovation, inviting participants to engage more deeply during 60‑minute workshops held before each book club meeting. Participants will build a Co‑Leadership Portfolio across the year — a collection of reflections, artifacts, and practices that embody shared leadership.and equips participants with a living framework and provides proof of their ability to turn values into action in both personal and professional spheres. Dates announced in January 2026
2026 Book List
- January – Finding My Way (Malala Yousafzai)
- February – Conversations with Myself (Nelson Mandela)
- March – The Great Good Place (Ray Oldenburg)
- April – Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer)
- May – The Librarian of Auschwitz (Antonio Iturbe)
- June – Small is Beautiful (E.F. Schumacher)
- July – The Shoemaker and the Tea Party (Alfred F. Young)
- August – no book club meeting or workshop
- September – The Dispossessed (Ursula K. Le Guin)
- October – Parable of the Sower (Octavia Butler)
- November – The Overstory (Richard Powers)
- December – No book club meeting or workshop
Youth Leadership Essentials
A 3‑hour workshop for middle and high school students (ages 11–15) exploring personal leadership, community engagement, and project planning/execution. Next workshop: Monday, February 16th.
Community Activities & Classes
Line dancing and community gatherings to celebrate joy and connection. First event: Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. Register here!
Instigating Change Workshop Series
A dynamic, participatory space designed to help individuals and groups understand how small actions can spark larger transformations. This series helps leaders move from awareness to agency, seeing themselves not just as observers of systems but as catalysts for intentional, collective action. Details will be announced in January 2026, so stay tuned! As we step into 2026, may we carry forward the spirit of co‑leadership: leading with others, not over others. Your presence, your voice, and your story are part of what makes this community strong. Let’s enter the new year not only with anticipation for more light, but with a commitment to create it together.
Dr. Fanta Waterman
Director of Leadership and Community Empowerment, The Meetinghouse
