What's New: Religious Education and Faith Development

Angus H. MacLean Award—nominate now! Anyone may nominate a UU who has demonstrated excellence in religious education for this award, given by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Read the award criteria to submit a nomination by April 24.

Tragedies like the explosions at the 2013 Boston Marathon and last December's shootings in Newtown, CT, call us to help one another through the trauma. UUA staff offer a collection of UU resources to emotionally and spiritually support our children, families, and communities.

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) of Color are invited to join monthly, online gatherings beginning in May, 2013. Jessica York, UUA Director of Youth Programs, convenes this group for adult, young adult, and youth of Color looking to create community within Unitarian Universalism. Learn more on the Living Mosaic UUA blog or email jyork@uua.org.

The UUA Multicultural Leadership School for UU youth and young adults of color ages 15-30 will be held in Boston, August 2-6, 2013.  Read about this empowering program led by Rev. Dr. Monica Cummings, now in its fourth year, and register and request a scholarship by May 15.

UUs talk about Tapestry of Faith. Jennifer Carver (UU Church of Tallahassee, FL) tells how, using the Exploring Our Values through Poetry curriculum, her congregation's youth group held a poetry slam and raised money for an animal shelter.

The UU World Family pages for Spring 2013 celebrate the restful, generative beauty of darkness. Find out which animals sleep the most. Learn ways a child or adult can address a fear of nighttime darkness or an unease with the unknown.

Are youth in your congregation getting ready to "bridge?" Support youth and their families with the resources in  Bridging: Handbook for Congregations, a new book from Tapestry of Faith. The book guides a year-long program and a ceremony marking the transition from youth to young adulthood. Youth preparing to bridge can sign up for The Bridge Connections Program online, to keep connected to UU communities when they move on for college, new jobs, or new living situations, near to or far from home. See more Bridging resources.

Building the World We Dream About, an antiracism, anti-oppression program for building multicultural competency and beloved community, now exists in two versions: one for adult groups, and one geared toward young adults (eight sessions) which includes voices of Unitarian Universalists who identify as part of historically marginalized groups. Explore the curriculum today online and make a plan to propose this program in your congregation. You can download a double-sided handout (PDF) which addresses common questions or contact the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Multicultural Growth and Witness staff group for more information.

Racial/ethnic group caucusing is the subject of the newest identity-based workshop for youth created by Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings, Ministry to Youth and Young Adults of Color, Director. The one-hour workshop includes an animated video and guidance for leading caucus group and whole-group discussion.

Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures is a Tapestry of Faith program with many possibilities for summer multigenerational programming. Eight workshops based on biblical stories of David, Moses, Sarah and Hagar, Abraham and Isaac, Joshua, Isaiah, and Creation.

Spotlight: Trainings, Events, and Features

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) preschool curricula from the 1990s are being assessed, as the Resource Development Office considers revisions and updates. If you were involved in your congregation's preschool programs as a religious professional, an RE teacher, a parent, or a lay leader, please use this survey to give us your feedback. Or, contact Pat Kahn (childrenfamilies@uua.org, Subject: Preschool), Children and Families Program Director, to discuss in more depth.

Adapting Small Group Ministry for Children (PDF) is a resource you can download to explore an alternative model for a religious education program that addresses the faith development needs of children and their families and the goals, needs, and capabilities of the wider congregation. Sample sessions include structured group reflection and activities for grades 1 and 2; grades 3, 4, and 5; and grades 6, 7, and 8.

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