Empowerment Program Information Guide
Objectives Of A Training Program In A Local Congregation
Below is a list of the issues that a social justice facilitator
may address in a weekend workshop.
- Create an in-depth conversation among the members of the
congregation concerning the congregation’s role in creating
a more just and caring world.
- Inspire a congregation with a vision of their potential to
be a social justice community.
- Make explicit the social and ethical values which are operative
in the congregation.
- Enable the members of the congregation to assess the current
status of their social justice program. This involves
determining the strengths of the program and what needs to be
improved.
- Develop a deeper understanding as to what makes an effective
social justice program. Of special concern here is the
ways that people can put their faith into action: service,
education, witnessing, advocacy, and community organizing.
- Clarify the roles and objectives of the congregation, the
board of trustees, the social justice committee, and task groups
in doing social justice programming.
- Provide methods for how to integrate the social justice program
into the larger life of the congregation including worship,
religious education, and adult programming.
- Help the members of the congregation strategize how they
will increase the number of people involved in the social justice
program.
- Provide information about the resources of the thirty five
UUA social change organizations, especially funding possibilities.
Develop linkages with other UU congregations in their district
and region.
- In those situations where there is more potential for doing
significant programming, encourage the group to take on significant
projects. This includes methods for picking projects and
developing an action program.
- Before the end of the session, create a follow up action
plan with the next steps. What will the congregation as
a whole do? What will the board do? What will the
social justice committee do? What will the task groups
do?
|
