Religion in Life
A Program of Study, Reflection, and Action in Religious LivingBy Cynthia Breen and Keith Kron
- Theme and Description
- This program is designed for Unitarian Universalist Boy Scouts. Completion of the porogram leads to awarding of the Religion in Life emblem (available from the UUA Bookstore). The program is carried out in cooperation between the Boy Scouts, an adult mentor, and a Unitarian Universalist congregation. While originally designed for Boy Scouts, it is also used as a UU identity program for youth not involved in scouting.
- Goals for Participants
- To learn about the history, beliefs, and values of Unitarian Universalism;
To form a deeper connection with one's own congregation;
To put UU social values into practice through completion of a service project;
To explore and come to a deeper understanding of one's own religious beliefs;
To earn the Boy Scout/Religion in Life emblem.
- Age Range
- 12-18
- Size of Group
- Can be used by a group or by an individual with a mentor.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- 9 sessions, includes 3 parts -- each with 3 sessions. Completion of the program should take between 12 and 24 weeks.
Length: The sessions have no allotted time length. Much of the work is done independently by the youth. The participants and mentors schedule the frequency and duration of their meetings. - Leader Training
- The leader serves as a mentor to the youth. The mentor is a member of the youth's UU congregation, selected by both the youth and the congregation's religious educator. (If the youth is a member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a parent(s)/guardian(s) may serve as the mentor(s). Knowledge of Unitarian Universalism is helpful, but not necessary to be a mentor.
- Leader Preparation
- Will vary according to plan devised by the participant and mentor.
- Strengths
- Provides clear instructions and suggestions to help participants reach their goals;
Encourages in young people a deeper commitment to Unitarian Universalism and its Principles;
Involves the participant in a social service project of his choosing and design;
Deepens the connections between a young person and his congregation and wider community;
Leads to receiving the Boy Scout's Religion in Life award;
May be used by congregations with only one or two youth, or youth without a congregation. - Limitations
- Religion in Life is only applicable to youth in the U.S.; Canadian Unitarian Scouts can obtain the Religion in Life emblem through another program. Contact the Canadian Unitarian Council for details.
- Adaptability
- This program is very adaptable. Meeting times and places, the overall length of the program, and the specific topics studied are all determined by the youth and his mentor.
- Unitarian Universalist Values
- This is essentially a Unitarian Universalist identity program with an emphasis on values and service.
|
Curricula
