With the rush of the holiday season behind us, you may be looking for plug and play options that make the little decisions in Religious Education easier now — especially if you are gearing up for new trainings and programs soon. This month’s round up includes resources for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and UU justice learning, ideas to help you plan ahead for Chinese New Year, and a collection of youth ministry content to deepen and strengthen your understanding of that vital work.
Seasonal Resources: Activities, Stories, Articles and Books
Jan 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
- Adult books on/by MLK Jr. from Beacon Press
- I Have a Dream: collaborative mural activity
Whole Church Faith Development Goal: Justice Learning
Justice & Inclusion — All about the UUA’s justice initiatives, in one place.
Mosaic Anti-racism Curriculum — Cultivate UU identity and share the work of becoming anti-racist with this lifespan learning curriculum.
Group Rhythm and Social Justice Stretch — All-ages activities from Deeper Joy. Build shared spiritual muscles for the work of community organizing and collective solidarity.
“On This Day” — The Zinn Education Project supports the teaching of people’s history. The website offers free lessons and articles by theme for middle and high schoolers.
A Protest History of the United States — This book for adults reminds us that dissent is an essential tool for eliciting long lasting change.
Rise Up! — Learn about 25 moments of resistance and revolution in American history. Protest is American by definition! Ages 6-8.
A Change is Gonna Come — Sam Cooke’s legendary and beloved civil rights anthem is brought to life for the first time with stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith. Ages 4-8.
We Are the Builders! (Connected to this year’s UU Common Read)
Welcome to our Community Day! Ready to find your role to play? An intro to community organizing and finding your place in a movement. Ages 3-7.
February 17: Lunar New Year (Fire Horse)
Crafts, printable and activities to support RE and whole church learning for the Lunar New Year.
Learn how to make space for cultural variations on the Lunar New Year.
All Are Welcome — When the whole community gathers for a New Year’s party, they learn and grow from each other’s traditions. Book for ages 4-8.
Youth Ministry Round Up
- Youth Engagement: What We’re Learning (Feb 2025)
- Rethinking Youth Leadership (Apr 2025)
- BIPOC Youth Ministry Report Recommendations (Jan 2025)
- Needs and Opportunities as Identified by UU High School Youth 2025
- 50 Years of UU Youth Ministry — a Timeline (May 2025)
Upcoming Events/Trainings for Religious Educators
“Kind, Clear and Heartful: Effective Boundaries in Faith Development”: REPs explore the topic with presentations, breakout groups, and interactive activities. Register by date of event — January 20.
- Peer Study Group: Facilitation for Transformation
A discussion group for those who want to take the Facilitation for Transformation course together. This course prepares facilitators for the Mosaic Anti-racism curriculum. - Philosophy of RE Sparks Module
Learn about the influential ideas that have shaped UU RE — and better articulate YOUR personal RE philosophy. Register by January 13. - Ministry with Youth Sparks Module
Explore aspects of UU youth ministry including history, youth empowerment, and resources. Register by February 17.