Parent Trilogy:
Three Programs for Unitarian Universalist Parents and Other AdultsBy Roberta and Christopher Nelson; David Hicks MacPherson and Makanah Elizabeth Morriss
- Theme and Description
- Three programs previously published separately are presented together to help UU parents and other adults share their values and beliefs with children. Parents as Resident Theologians helps adults articulate their religious experiences and beliefs in order to more effectively respond to children’s religious questions. Parents as Social Justice Educators encourages adults to value their own social action efforts and helps them help children find meaning in the world and make the world a better place. Being a Unitarian Universalist Parent supports parents through exploration of parents’ religious concerns, application of Unitarian Universalism to family life, and the development of a parent support group.
- Goals for Participants
- To appreciate the important role that parents play in their children’s development;
To reach a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist;
To review Unitarian Universalist history, principles, and beliefs in terms understandable to children;
To discuss Unitarian Universalist views of theological concepts such as God, heaven and hell, Jesus, the Bible, etc.;
To address the child-raising concerns and challenges of group members;
To gain insight into their own spiritual journeys;
To assess their own commitment to social justice issues;
To improve their own ability to respond to tough social justice situations and questions;
To learn ways that families can participate together in projects that contribute to the greater societal good.
- Age Range
- Adult
- Size of Group
- Parents as Resident Theologians: 8-20; Parents as Social Justice Educators: 8-20; Being a Unitarian Parent: unspecified
- Space Requirements
- A comfortable private room, large enough for small-group and total-group discussions. It is helpful if materials can be posted on the walls, the room can be darkened, and tables are available for some activities.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- Parents as Resident Theologians: 6 sessions of 1 1/2 to 2 hours each; Parents as Social Justice Educators: 6 sessions of 2 to 2 1/2 hours each; Being a Unitarian Universalist Parent: 5 sessions of 1 1/2 hours each.
- Leader Training
- None required. Can be led by ministers, religious educators, or experienced lay leaders skilled in group process.
- Leader Preparation
- Between 1 and 3 hours per session, depending on the leaders’ experience in group process, the amount of background reading required, and which program is being presented.
- Strengths
- Structure of programs engages participants and encourages participation;
Addresses questions and concerns of Unitarian Universalist parents;
Facilitates theological explorations among adults;
Addresses racial diversity and a variety of other social justice issues;
Gives practical help in responding to the social justice-related questions of young people as well as other adults;
Enables parents to support their children’s spiritual and moral development. - Limitations
- Being a Unitarian Universalist Parent targets only those parents with children living at home.
All relevant social issues cannot be adequately addressed in the six sessions of Parents as Social Justice Educators. Participants may choose to meet for more than six sessions to gain a broader scope.
Because the three programs were authored and/or revised in the early 1990s, their readings and resource lists do not refer to resources published since that time. Leaders are encouraged to visit the Unitarian Universalist Family Network website to learn about new books and videos for parents. - Adaptability
- Parents as Resident Theologians can be used at a weekend-long retreat or as part of a conference.
Despite its title, Parents as Social Justice Educators can be a valuable experience not just for parents, but also for teachers or anyone who works with or cares for children.
- Unitarian Universalist Values
- Explores, affirms and models most of the Unitarian Universalist Principles and helps the participants live out the principles in their families and beyond.
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Curricula
