Building the World We Dream About: A Welcoming Congregation Curriculum on Race and Ethnicity
Building the World We Dream About (BtWWDA) is a newly-developed Tapestry of Faith curriculum to enable Unitarian Universalist congregations to become more welcoming of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, and to dismantle racism in congregations and the larger community. The goals of the curriculum are to:- Promote multicultural welcome, inclusion, and affirmation in all facets of Unitarian Universalist congregational life
- Cultivate participants’ knowledge and skills in addressing issues related to race, ethnicity, and cultural identity both individually and institutionally
- Identify ways congregations can build multiracial/multicultural communities of love and justice.
Through a series of interactive seminars conducted over a 12-month period, participants explore topics that increase their understanding of race and ethnicity, as well as systemic racism, through spiritual reflection, journaling, visual arts, poetry, music, theater tools, simulations, guest speakers, and field trips. The curriculum culminates with worship and creation of action plans for anti-racist, multicultural congregational transformation.
Background
For many years Unitarian Universalist congregations, districts, and affiliate groups have requested a “Welcoming Congregation type program” focused on race and ethnicity. In February 2004, representatives of stakeholder groups met at the UUA in Boston to articulate a vision, identify challenges, and strategize about tools to help congregations become more welcoming, inclusive, and affirming of persons of diverse races, cultures, and ethnicities. Mark Hicks, a George Mason University professor of transformational education, JUUST Change Anti-Oppression Program Consultant, and member of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC is the curriculum author. A Project Advisory Group comprised of religious professionals, lay leaders, and UUA staff guide the development of BtWWDA.
Congregational Field Test
45 congregations were selected to field test Building the World We Dream About from September 2007 through December 2008. The goal for general distribution of BtWWDA is 2009.
For information on Building the World We Dream About, contact Taquiena Boston, tboston @ uua.org, or call (202) 393-2255, ext. 18.
For more information contact idbm @ uua.org.
Last updated on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
