Building the World We Dream About: A Welcoming Congregation Curriculum on Race and Ethnicity
Building the World We Dream About 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 Unitarian Universalist Association (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 guided the development of the curriculum. Forty-five congregations were selected to field test Building the World We Dream About from September 2007 through December 2008.
Bring the Program to Your Congregation
Go to the Building the World We Dream About page to access the curriculum online and/or download the entire program.
You can also download a double-sided handout (PDF) that addresses common questions about the program.
Introductory Workshops Now Available
The office of Multicultural Growth & Witness is now offering introductory workshops to Building the World We Dream About. Looking for an energizing way to jump-start your congregation's engagement with this resource? Contact araomc @ uua.org!
Join the Network!
If you have facilitated, are currently facilitating, or are interested in facilitating Building the World We Dream About workshops, please contact araomc @ uua.org. We are working to create a network of facilitators with the goal of fostering connections between congregations that are engaging with this program.
For more information contact araomc @ uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
Updated and Popular
Popular New Searches
For Newcomers
Learn more about the Beliefs & Principles of Unitarian Universalism, or read our online magazine, UU World, for features on today's Unitarian Universalists. Visit an online UU church, or find a congregation near you.
