This sample letter is included so you can tailor it for your particular program. Cut and paste the text, personalize for your program, and make copies.

Dear Families,

The (insert name of your group here) group is engaged in a religious education program that is all about exploring the diverse forms, functions, and meanings of families. As part of this program, called Families, the youth are preparing a photo-documentary project that will feature families in our congregation. They are taking photographs and interviewing families. Later they will show the photographs to the families and ask for their perspectives on them. The photo-documentary project will end with a final project event, which will be a representation of families in our congregation.

We warmly invite you to participate in this program. On (date) at (time) the youth and their leaders will host a Family Event (insert title of event here). During the event we will share food and conversation about families. At that time youth will also photograph families and interview them about their lives together. Families are welcome to bring whomever they consider part of their family (if you are allowing or excluding pets, mention that here in parentheses). Families may bring things from home that remind them of family members who are important to them, but are unable to be present at the Family Event.

On (date) at (time) the youth and their leaders will host a second Family Event (insert title of event here). At this event, you will be able to view the prints of your family photograph(s) and record your comments for inclusion in the photo-documentary project.

These should be fun events! We hope you can make it. One of the youth in the program will call you in the next few days to talk with you about the Family Events and answer any questions you may have. Thanks in advance for your help with this project. We look forward to seeing you at the first Family Event.

In faith,

Leaders and Youth of (insert group name and/or congregation name)