Renaissance Program
Religious Education Leadership Training
The Renaissance Program is a major component of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Religious Education (RE) Credentialing program. Each 15-hour module provides standardized basic training in a specific area useful to religious educators. The following modules may be used in any order:
- Administration of RE Programs
- Curriculum Planning
- Philosophy of Religious Education
- Ministry with Youth
- Teacher Development
- Unitarian Universalist History
- Unitarian Universalist Identity
- Worship for All Ages
- Multicultural Religious Education
Participation
Modules are designed to accommodate between 10 and 20 participants, however, attendance requirements are at the discretion of the coordinators. Renaissance Modules are open to all those interested in religious education leadership including divinity students, parish ministers, RE committee members and RE teachers. Preference is given to religious educators if the workshop is oversubscribed. Congregations sponsor the Religious Educator by underwriting their registration and allowing time to attend.
Sponsorship
Renaissance modules are usually offered by District RE Committees, by regional summer camps, or conferences, they can also be offered by clusters of congregations or professional associations such as Liberal Religious Educators or Unitarian Universalist Ministry Association (UUMA). If you are interested in sponsoring a Renaissance module, please fill out this form.
The UUA will provide leadership lists and program materials, while the district or conference committee is responsible for registrations, publicity, and local arrangements for hosting the workshop. Many of the modules require that reading materials be mailed to participants in advance of the workshop; this mailing is also the responsibility of the sponsor.
At least six months before the anticipated date of the module, read the Renaissance Module Planning Guide and consider the following items a priority:
- Identify and confirm two Leaders (see Planning Guide, page 4, on how to become certified and see Leader-in-Training Evaluation form under Module Resources)
- Designate a Coordinator
- Contact the Renaissance Program Office
- Identify which of the available modules you wish to sponsor
- Set the date and secure a module location
- Establish a planning group that will give the needed support.
Cost
The cost of a Renaissance module is shared by the participants, the sponsor and Renaissance Program. Details of the cost breakdown is in the planning guide. The registration fee is determined by the local planning committee, based on its estimates of the conference costs. The conference budget must include:
- Honoraria for the leaders
- Meals and accommodations
- A travel equalization fee.
Recognition
When a participant has completed five modules, (75 hours of Renaissance training) the Renaissance Program will send a Letter of Recognition, in appreciation of the time that has been given in the service of quality religious education for our children, youth and adults. A participant may include these five modules and any additional modules toward completion of any level in the Religious Education Credentialing Program. For the purposes of Renaissance recognition, participation at a week-long UUA leadership school is counted as one module.
Scholarships
It is strongly recommended that congregations give financial sponsorship to a Religious Educator who is attending on their behalf. A limited amount of scholarship help is available from the UUA through the Beatley and Earle endowment funds, whose interest is annually available in modest amounts for RE grants to individuals. Some District RE Committees have funds available for Renaissance scholarships, please contact your district representative to find out if there are funds available. Summer conferences may offer financial assistance.
Schedule
Renaissance modules are included on the UUA Calendar page.
More Information
For questions or comments regarding module content, please contact: Judith A. Frediani, Faith Development Resources Director, UUA at (617) 948-4373, lfddirector@uua.org.
For questions and about planning a Renaissance Module, please contact: Pat Kahn, Children and Families Program Director, at renaissance@uua.org.
For more information contact renaissance@uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.
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