Book Discussion Series on Diversity
For Adult and Senior Youth Religious Education Programs for the Purposes of Furthering Our Understanding of Diversity, Strengthening Our Commitment to Dismantling Racism and Other Oppressions, Getting to Know Each Other Better And Enjoying Each Other’s Company
Judith A. Frediani
What We Need
Unitarian Universalists like to talk and to listen. We like to tell our stories, share our opinions and questions, and hear the thoughts and experiences of others. We come together to seek companionship in our religious, spiritual and intellectual journeys. We look for ways to seek justice and live our values. In all these endeavors, we seek mutual support, fellowship, and fun. And yet we have so little time together.
Reflection and Discussion Book Group
One opportunity for people to come together in a meaningful, focused way is the book discussion format, which offers the following benefits:
- Each book discussion can stand alone—no need for long term commitment.
- A reflective discussion group can help us get in touch with feelings and values as well as thoughts and opinions.
- It can provide an opportunity for participants to share their own stories, thus helping us to get to know and trust one another better and to build community within the congregation.
- Book discussion groups can nurture leadership skills and confidence as participants rotate group leadership.
- The book and the discussion of it can teach us a lot about realities beyond our own experience.
- A book discussion can be a nonthreatening way to approach complex or difficult subjects such as racism.
Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression Focus
The following pages introduce a series of book discussion guides by UUs involved in anti-racism, anti-oppression work. Each book offered is an engaging and powerful treatment of issues related to this work. They are also very good reads! Consider bringing some folks together to read, reflect on, and discuss any or all of the titles that follow. We have started with fiction and memoir so that the reading will be particularly accessible and enjoyable. While anti-racism groups will be particularly interested in these titles, they are appropriate for any interested adults and may appeal to senior youth as well. Consider bringing together younger and older folks to share their reflections.
Some Process Suggestions
Unless you have an ongoing book discussion program in place, start small. One book is a good start. The group will meet again if it was a good experience. Publicize as you would any adult or youth RE program. Be sure to approach any groups or committees that would have a particular interest in the topics included in this series. Have enthusiastic participants give testimonials in your newsletter to attract interest. Size of group can range from two to fifteen or so. Eight to twelve may be ideal. Larger groups will likely need to break into small groups for discussion. Length of meeting time can also vary. Groups have used this format for forty-five minutes before Sunday service and have met for two hours over potluck dinner on Friday nights. Decide who will lead the discussions: staff or volunteers, consistent or rotating leaders. Good facilitation skills will be important to the success of the experience. Agree to some basic group guidelines at the beginning of each meeting (sharing the floor, keeping confidences, etc.) Decide whether you want to open and/or close the gathering with a simple ritual such as a brief reading or chalice-lighting. Did you know That Beacon Press not only specializes in publishing fresh, creative, and diverse voices, but also offers a number of book discussion guides for some of their recent works. Nine of these Reading Group Guides are described in the pages that follow, but to keep up-to-date, visit the Beacon website.
For more information contact religiouseducationatuuadotorg.
Last updated on Wednesday, March 7, 2007.
