Happy Indigenous Peoples Day

October 2026

Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated in 2026 on Monday, October 12th, invites us to examine not only history, but the economic structures history created. European colonization converted Indigenous lands into private property, often through violence, broken treaties and forced removal.

Land then became a source of wealth, inheritance and political power for settlers, while Indigenous nations were systematically denied those same opportunities. Today’s class structure still reflects that transfer of land and resources across generations.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples requires more than recognition. It asks us to notice who benefited, who still bears the costs, and how repair, sovereignty and shared responsibility might reshape our common future.

Editor’s Note: While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday on October 12th, 17 states, Washington, D.C., and numerous municipalities officially recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. For many years, tribal leaders and Native American activists advocated for the establishment of Indigenous Peoples Day to expose the violence, disease and natural resource theft caused by the so-called “discovery” of their native lands. 

Be Part of the 1 Percent

By Joan Soble
Career Educator and Current Blogger

Joan shares this blog post, which appeared on her Facebook feed, and which she then edited to include her own observations and views. She asks us to share our own views on this issue on our own social media and with elected officials.

I don’t care what side of the aisle you sit on; this is a fact. Speaker Mike Johnson, this is for you.

Not A Benefit

Regarding Social Security payments, I contributed for over 50 years on every salary I received. Those jobs may not have always been the work I wanted to be doing at the time, BUT I always had a job, sometimes two at a time. Some in Congress believe that the Social Security check is a “Federal Benefit Payment.”

The government has long referred to our Social Security checks as a “federal benefit payment.” [Editor] However, the sentiment to cut the payments has grown, as conservative voices in Congress raise the “threat of insolvency” by 2032. Read more…

This October: Get Ready for …

2026 Midterms, Extreme Weather Events, Mutual Aid Meetup

By Rev. Robert (Bob) Murphy

Much is happening this October for Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations involved in social class justice and mutual aid organizing. Here are important ways to lend your support in the weeks ahead.

In Defense of Democracy

Election Day in the United States is November 3. Volunteers can help with voter education and voter protection. Your congregation can support get-out-the-vote activities. Contact the League of Women Voters in your area for additional information. Protect the Vote has specific roles that you can fill during October right up until Election Day. UU the Vote is the national Unitarian Universalist organization that defends voter rights in several states. It’s part of the Side With Love program.

Perhaps you are unable to help with get-out-the-vote activities individually. You can vote, however! People who care about justice, fairness, building vs. burning bridges across class divides, respect for citizens and non-citizens alike, and ending authoritarianism must make their voices heard in the 2026 Midterm Elections.

If you have not registered to vote, you still have time in most areas. If you lack transportation to the polls, there is help. In both situations, the same organizations listed above can provide information on registering and election-day rides. Social class advocate? Then vote!

Mutual Aid Across the Denomination

In the current political and economic climate — marked by rising costs, shrinking safety nets, and increasing harm to working-class communities — mutual aid networks are not optional. They are essential infrastructure for survival, dignity, and collective resilience. UUCC, as part of our Mutual Aid Pilot Project, is regularly bringing UUs together for Zoom virtual meetings to share best practices and needs for their local projects.

Join us for the October Meet Up on

Thursday, October 22nd, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Advance registration is requested. 

Extreme Weather

Hurricane season continues until November 30th. Tornadoes, droughts, heat waves and devastating wildfires fires have caused major problems in North America, among many parts of the world, during recent months. Cold weather will create new difficulties. Don’t wait for something to go wrong in your area.

Congregations can identify the high-risk groups in your neighborhood that are often ignored or abused during and after disasters. The high-risk groups in your area may include migrant workers, people with disabilities,  prisoners, the very young and the very old, and LGBTQ individuals. Look around. Ask questions.

Old saying: Poor people often live in poor housing. Mobile home parks, homes in floodplains and public housing apartments are often vulnerable during extreme weather. Homeless people are frequently the most affected. Build trust with a clear understanding of how your congregation will help when trouble arrives.

The UU Trauma Response Ministry (also at 888.760.3332) provides spiritual care in response to disasters. The  UU Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance to Unitarian Universalist congregations that have suffered damage as they support local communities.

The Pitfalls of Halloween

By Diane Pansire

Halloween can look like fun, yet it often reveals class differences in plain sight. Some families can afford elaborate costumes, decorations, parties and mountains of candy. Others improvise, reuse or quietly skip activities.

Neighborhoods differ too. Some draw hundreds of trick-or-treaters beneath glowing porches, while others lack sidewalks, safe streets, homes or residents able to buy treats.

School costume days may add another expense and another chance for children to compare. We can preserve Halloween’s playfulness while reducing the pressure. Welcome homemade costumes, provide supplies, avoid spending-based competitions, and make community celebrations free, inclusive and easy to reach.

Editor’s Note: As blogger Miki Onwudinjo reminds us, whatever your costume may be this year, avoid imitating cultures, races, ethnicities and economic classes that evoke painful stereotypes. It can’t be make-believe if your costume is of a real living person with limited class advantage.

Calling UU Youth

UUCC Steering Committee member, Lily Cho, is seeking UU youth to join her in the project, Class Chronicles. Intrepid volunteers will film one- to three-minute videos of congregation members answering short, specific questions about one aspect of their social class experience.
If your congregation’s RE department would like to be part of this project, contact Lily at info@uuclassconversations.org.

CLICK FOR AN INVITATION FROM LILY.