UUA Religious Education: Curricula

Faith Development Curricula

For All Ages - From UUA and Non-UUA Sources

Preschool (Up to Age 5)

Story Time: A Literature-Based Curriculum for Preschool by Mary Jerse Schwartz. 48 sessions. Based on contemporary children's literature, this program helps preschoolers focus on feelings, relationships, nature, and holidays. Each session has a story, a discussion, and a choice of related activities. Additional books are also suggested. (First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, 1989)

Primary (Grades 1-3)

Adapting Small Group Ministry for Children's Religious Education by Gail Forsyth-Vail. 31 sessions. Adapting Small Group Ministry for Children is a new approach to structuring Sunday school programs. Utilizing a small group ministry format, this formant begins with a worship service for grades one through eight, then moves into smaller groups (grades 1-2, 3-5, and 6-8) for discussion and activities relating to the theme of the day. (Gail Forsyth-Vail)

Experiences with the Web of Life by Marjory M. Donn, Abby L. W. Crowley, Jean Rashkin, Carla Miller, Charles Tompkins and Penny O’Brien. 45 sessions. This yearlong curriculum introduces children ages five to eight to the Unitarian Universalist Principle of respect for the “interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. (Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 1998)

In Our Hands, Grades 1-3: A Peace and Social Justice Program by Samuel Goldenberg, Eleanor Hunting, and Mary Thomson. 16 sessions. In this program, children explore peace and fairness through stories, discussions, and activities. Participants learn constructive ways of resolving conflict and promoting peace in their own lives. They learn to see their connections to the larger community, to the natural world, and to the Unitarian Universalist peace and justice heritage. (UUA, 1989) At UUA Bookstore.

Special Times: Honoring Our Jewish and Christian Heritages for Grades 1 and 2 by Betty Jo Middleton. 26 sessions. Acquaints children with the Jewish and Christian heritages and engages them in celebrating Jewish and Christian holidays and other "special times" such as the Shabbat/Sabbath, Thanksgiving, and everybody's birthday. (UUA, 1994) At UUA Bookstore.

Stories About God by Mary Ann Moore. 30 sessions. Looks at God as the central symbol in a religious communication system. This liberal and eclectic theology is story-based and covers three themes: God is a oneness that can take many forms; God is love and worth that can take many forms; and God is mystery that can take many forms. Addresses the spiritual and theological needs of young children. (Jim Moore, 1992)

We Believe: Learning and Living Our Unitarian Universalist Principles by Ann Fields and Joan Goodwin. 22 sessions. This program for small, multi-age groups, builds on the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism. Since Unitarian Universalists often state what we do not believe, the editors chose to work from the very foundation of our faith when developing this curriculum. The activities encourage participants to incorporate the Principles into their lives. (UUA, 1998) At UUA Bookstore.

What Is Religion: For Others and for Us? by Virigina S. Steel. 27 sessions. Focuses on church, religion, holidays, and Unitarian Universalism. Helps children feel a part of a loving and worshiping community. Provides opportunities to practice UU values and experience freedom of inquiry and a quest for understanding. Introduces religious concepts and language to help understand God, religion, Jesus, Bible, prayer, worship, and religious holidays. (First Parish in Wayland, 1984)

Elementary (Grades 4-6)

God Images by Mary Ann Moore. 25 sessions. This year-long curriculum engages children in their own religious quests. Allows for personal decision making in the context of lively discussion and creative activity. Presents God images that are derived from the Jewish and Christian traditions, from several world religions, and from modern science. (Jim Moore, 1987)

Holidays and Holy Days: A Whole Year of Celebrations by Charlene Brotman, Barbara Marshman, and Ann Fields. In this program, participants learn about the origins and meanings of holiday and holy day celebrations. The authors state, "Holidays are the natural, age-old vehicle of religious socialization. Their festivities tell a story which children absorb with delight, through experiences far more than through words. Decorations, colors, costumes, dances, lights, songs, foods, festivity, gifts, excitement, pageantry, solemnity, ceremony, and ritual: it is of these that tradition is woven, that memories, beliefs, values, fears, hopes, and reverence are transmitted. A holiday is not something to talk about . . . it's something to DO." The program is divided into three calendar sections: fall, winter, and spring. (Brotman-Marshfield, 1983)

Honoring Our Mother Earth:: Experiences in Native American Spirituality by Tirrell H. Kimball with Gina Orlando. 6 sessions. This program teaches young people the need to revere and preserve all living things. While it draws on the authors' understandings of Native American spirituality, it is not a study of Native American cultures and religions. Experiential in approach, it uses ceremonies and rituals, myths and stories, song and dance, and arts and crafts. (Green Timber Publications, 1988)

In Our Hands, Grades 4-6: A Peace and Social Justice Program by Barry Andrews and Pat Hoertdoerfer. 16 sessions. Provides opportunities for children to explore their own knowledge and feelings about peace and justice. Helps children learn about various concepts of peace and justice and explore how to promote peace and justice within themselves, in their relationships with others, in their roles as Unitarian Universalists, and as human beings on our earth. (UUA, 1990) At UUA Bookstore.

Islam: Activity Based Lessons for Upper Elementary Students by Rachel Brown. 9 sessions. This curriculum introduces children to the beliefs, history, and traditions of Islam through activities and discussion. (Rachel Brown, 2000)

Living the Promise: A Values-Oriented Unitarian Universalist Curriculum Based on the Hebrew Scriptures for Upper Elementary Children by Cheryl Gibbs Binkley and Jane M. McKeel. 30 sessions. Based on two interrelated scriptural themes: the development of monotheism and the meaning of covenant. Focuses on the major people and events of the Hebrew scriptures by portraying responsible, positive, and noble ways of life, and looks at how we view ourselves, others, and all of creation. Provides a Unitarian Universalist and humanist perspective on a cornerstone of Western religion: Judaism. Participants are encouraged to consider a "covenant of being," a promise of goodness and opportunity that life should bring to all, as they answer such questions as "What is our part in such a covenant?" and "What would it mean to live responsibly within that vision?" (Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA, 1991)

Our Whole Lives, Sexuality Education for Grades 4-6 by Elizabeth M. Casparian and Eva S. Goldfarb. 8 sessions. A part of the UUA's lifespan sexuality education curriculum Our Whole Lives, this program for Grade 4-6 is designed for boys and girls on the brink of puberty. It focuses on values, self-esteem, family relationships, the changes that occur during puberty, gender identity and seuxal orientation, human reproduction, bodily and sexual health and safety, communication, and decision-making. (UUA, 2000) At UUA Bookstore.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus by Donna Wheelock and Judith Hoehler. 25 sessions. Explores the events of Jesus's life, his teachings, and the customs of the times. Offers opportunities for discussion, activities for enrichment, and celebrations. (Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, 1980)

Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)

God Power by Mary Ann Moore. 15 sessions. This 15-session curriculum for grades 7-8 seeks to explore the concepts of God and Power, and the combining of those concepts to create God Power. Manifestations of divinity in this world are seen as the workings of power defined not as “control” but as the creative forces that abound in the universe and in us. (Jim Moore, 1996)

How Can I Know What To Believe? by Charlene Brotman and Barbara Marshman. 27 sessions. Helps young people explore, formulate, and articulate their attitudes and beliefs about people in the Bible, God, death, and Unitarian Universalism. Explores humanist roots through the history of great ideas and the lives of Erasmus, the Buddha, Bertrand Russell, Margaret Sanger, Felix Adler, and others. (Brotman-Marshfield, 1986)

You the Creator by Richard S. Kimball. 37 sessions. Junior and senior high youth and leaders explore together the power that everyone's creativity has to shape the world. (Green Timber Publications, 1993)

Senior High (Grades 9-12)

Evensong, Volume 1: An Eight-Week Series of Gatherings by Barbara Hamilton-Holway. 8 sessions. Evensong gathers together a small group of people from within a congregation for eight sessions of earnest listening and sharing of thoughts, beliefs, and journeys in spirituality and religious life. It is an experience of shared worship. The themes for the eight sessions of volume one are “Beginning Together,” “Religious and Spiritual Experiences,” “The Divine,” “The Human,” “The Messiah, the Christ, the Buddha: The Divine Made Manifest,” “The Community,” “Endings,” and “Ministry.” The themes for volume two are “Childhood Memory and Knowing,” “Scripture and Story,” “Prayer and Spiritual Practice,” “Fear,” “Generosity,” “Hospitality and the Stranger,” “Being Alive,” “Beliefs and Actions.” (UUA, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Evensong, Volume 2: An Eight-Week Series of Gatherings by Barbara Hamilton-Holway. 8 sessions. Evensong gathers together a small group of people from within a congregation for eight sessions of earnest listening and sharing of thoughts, beliefs, and journeys in spirituality and religious life. It is an experience of shared worship. The themes for the eight sessions of volume one are “Beginning Together,” “Religious and Spiritual Experiences,” “The Divine,” “The Human,” “The Messiah, the Christ, the Buddha: The Divine Made Manifest,” “The Community,” “Endings,” and “Ministry.” The themes for volume two are “Childhood Memory and Knowing,” “Scripture and Story,” “Prayer and Spiritual Practice,” “Fear,” “Generosity,” “Hospitality and the Stranger,” “Being Alive,” “Beliefs and Actions.” (UUA, 2002) At UUA Bookstore.

In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program, Senior High by Eleanor Hunting, Virginia Lane, and Harold Rosen. 12 sessions. Involves young people in considering the nature and meaning of peace and social justice. They explore some or all of the following topics: the nature of conflict, conflict management and resolution, paths to peace and justice, common UU faith-stances and their relationship to peace and justice, peacemakers and justice-builders, critical peace and justice issues, the ways people act for peace and justice, and UU worship services for peace and justice. Participants are invited to undertake both a social action project and a peace and social justice worship service for their congregation. The program ends with reflection and celebration. (UUA, 1990)

Life Issues For Teenagers (LIFT) by Wayne Arnason and Cheryl Markoff Powers. 20 sessions. A structured program for 15 to 18 year olds that explores ethical, social, and political issues and concerns important in the lives of teenagers. Covers values, family dynamics, sex roles, peer pressure and conformity, sexual expression, crisis intervention, choices in drug and alcohol use, loss and grief, and spiritual identity. (UUA, 1985)

On the Path: Spirituality for Youth and Adults by Wayne Arnason, Janet Harvey, David Levine, David Marshak, Makanah Morriss, Christine Robinson, and Mara Lyn Schoeny. A structured program that explores the nature and meaning of spirituality in the lives of teenagers in grades 10 to 12, and adults. (UUA, 1989)

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity: An Anti-bias Program for Adults by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani. 8 sessions. Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Adult

A Holy Curiosity: Exploring Religious Questions, Parts I and II by Bruce T. Marshall. 12 sessions. These two study guides are based on Marshall's book A Holy Curiosity: Stories of a Liberal Religious Faith. Part I draws on the first five chapters; Part II on the last five. Each invites participants to use their own personal stories to explore fundamental religious questions and theological concerns. The guides work well in a group setting, although they can be used for individual study through journal writing and reflection. (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, NY, 1991)

Articulating Your UU Faith by Barbara Wells and Jaco B. ten Hove. 5 sessions. This curriculum is designed to help all Unitarian Universalists speak more effectively about our liberal religion and to express their particular perspectives on it. (UUA, 2003) At UUA Bookstore.

Building Your Own Theology, Volume 1:: Introduction (Second Edition) by Richard S. Gilbert. 10 sessions. This curriculum invites each person to write his or her spiritual odyssey and examines a structure for a liberal theological model, varieties of religious experience, human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics, and religious meaning. Weekly journal writing as well as the class meetings assist participants in their efforts to write a personal "credo statement." This is a new, updated, and more inclusive version of a classic curriculum. While the basic structure remains intact, it redresses the limits of the older version. In particular, the readings and resources reflect more ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity. New essays by the author replaces out-of-print resources. Each participant needs his/her own copy of the curriculum in order to do the readings for each session. (UUA, 2000) At UUA Bookstore.

Building Your Own Theology, Volume 2: Exploring (Second Edition) by Richard S. Gilbert. 10 sessions. A structured but flexible program. Within a community context, individuals reflect on their religious experiences and knowledge and create their own credos. Volume I: Introduction is a prerequisite to this volume, since building one’s own theology is an evolving, continuing process. Volume II: Exploring continues the process of theological meaning-making by examining truth and authority, the holy, good and evil, justice and the beloved community, suffering, death, immortality, religious diversity, and salvation. Each participant needs his/her own copy of Building Your Own Theology, Vol II in order to do the readings for each session. (UUA, 2005) At UUA Bookstore.

Building Your Own Theology: Volume 3: Ethics by Richard S. Gilbert. 8 sessions. This program uses the format of Building Your Own Theology, Volumes I and II, but can be used independently. It draws on the concept of the “Moral Compass” to identify eight modes of ethical decision-making. Using case studies from literary, historical, and contemporary sources, Ethics provides an opportunity to explore the processes, values, and theologies that participants rely on to make difficult moral and ethical decisions in their lives. (Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, 1994) At UUA Bookstore.

Building Your Spiritual Home by Mary Ann Macklin and Caitlin Anderson. Enables young adults to explore and discuss the unique and ongoing transitions of their life stage. Focuses on spirituality and community. (Unitarian Universalist Young Adult & Campus Ministry, 1995) At UUA Bookstore.

Emerson as Spiritual Guide: A Companion to Emerson's Essays for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion by Barry M. Andrews. This study guide offers readers a structured, in-depth way to reflect upon and discuss the spiritual application of the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Emerson, a Unitarian minister turned Transcendentalist philosopher, writer, and lecturer, has been one of the most influential figures in American and Unitarian Universalist thought. The first three chapters introduce readers to key themes in Emerson’s writing, and each of the remaining 12 chapters are meant to be a companion to a specific essay of Emerson’s. Each of the 12 latter chapters offers questions that can be used for reflection in a group setting or for individual reflection. (Skinner House Books, 2003) At UUA Bookstore.

Faithful Choices: An Adult Program in Clinical Ethics and Religious Values by Wayne B. Arnason. 8 sessions. This 8-session program for adults uses case studies to explore the relationships between religious ethics and issues of health care. Topics under consideration include the right to refusal of treatment, informed consent, and privacy and truth-telling in health care. Current news articles brought in by participants enrich the program and ground it in the real concerns of the group. (UUA, 1998) At UUA Bookstore.

First Steps: Planning for Adult Religious Education by Betty Jo Middleton. 6 sessions. First Steps is a process guide to help congregations strengthen a pre-existing adult religious education program or create a new one. Although it is intended for a group, it can also serve as a workbook for an individual. The topics of the six sessions include defining religious education, identifying the content of a program, understanding the characteristics of an adult learner, and considering learning differences, program structures and models. (Greater Washington Association Religious Education Council, 1994)

God Images (Adult Supplement) by Mary Ann Moore. Encourages adults to explore their own processes of God imaging with reference to images of God in many religious traditions and in scientific models of reality. May be purchased separately from or as a supplement to the children's program (see God Images in Elementary section). (Jim Moore, 1986)

In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program, Adults by Robert C. Branch, Samuel Goldenberg, and Mary Thomson. 6 sessions. Encourages participants' collaborative inquiry into many peace and justice issues. Among the topics considered are personal decision making, attitudes toward interpersonal conflict, and envisioning a more peaceful and just world community. Each session allows plenty of opportunity for reflection and discussion. Participants perform a variety of explorative activities, which helps them go beyond information about issues to integrate their knowledge, feelings, and values into their own lives and to act effectively for peace and justice. (UUA, 1990)

Lessons of Loss: A Lifespan Curriculum on Death, Dying, and Loss for the UU Community by Carol Galginaitis. In this multi-age curriculum, congregations are invited to come to terms with loss, change, and grief. Recognizing that our culture is not comfortable with these topics, and that religious communities are places for people to find comfort and healing, this resource helps educate for these issues. This four-session curriculum is intended to be offered each year at each age level (primary, elementary, middle school, high school, and adult). (Carol Galginaitis, 1999)

Life Lines: A Leader's Guide to the book by Forrest Church by Nancy Palmer Jones. This study guide acts as a companion to Forrest Church’s 1996 book, Life Lines: Holding On (and Letting Go). Using both the book and the guide, participants search for answers to some of life’s deepest questions. Each session offers 8-11 exercises to choose from which focus participants’ thoughts and feelings on the topic of the themes raised in Church’s books. Examples include quiet, blame, despair, connection to God, connection to others. (UUA, 1996)

Life Tapestry: An Exploration of Adult Life Issues by Marcia Bowen, Jeanne Nieuwejaar, and Richard Stower. Offers adults an opportunity to explore and share insights on such issues as listening and communication, dreams and reality, aging, intimacy and independence, and spirituality in an open and supportive setting. Modeled on the popular curriculum for high school youth, Life Issues for Teenagers (LIFT), the program uses experiential activities, small-group work, guided meditation, and the arts to help adults learn about themselves and each other. (UUA, 1994)

New UU by Jean Highsmith, Mary Nell McLauchlin, and Jack Schmidt. 4 sessions. Orients visitors and new members to Unitarian Universalist congregations. (UUA, 1989)

Our Unitarian Universalist Story by Carol D. Meyer. 6 sessions. Explores UU identity within the context of the history and heritage of Unitarianism and Universalism. Readings, discussions, and activities help participants explore their spiritual development, religious attitudes, values and beliefs, and current theological trends and issues. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Adults by Richard S. Kimball. 14 sessions. Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Adults is the final component of a lifespan sexuality education curriculum series. The curriculum underscores the notion that sexuality education is not merely for children entering puberty, but is rather a process of learning that continues throughout life. Using thought-provoking articles, stories, music, and other tools for discussion, it invites adults to reconsider what they already know (or think they know) about sexuality. Participants are able to deepen and broaden their existing knowledge in a comfortable setting with adults of many life stages. (Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, 2000) At UUA Bookstore.

Owning Your Religious Past by Bonnie (Stauffacher) Withers. 5 sessions. A workshop format provides some simple tools with which individuals may re-examine and retrieve positive aspects of their past religious experience as part of their continuing religious growth. (UUA, 1981)

Parent Trilogy:: Three Programs for Unitarian Universalist Parents and Other Adults by Roberta and Christopher Nelson; David Hicks MacPherson and Makanah Elizabeth Morriss. 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. (UUA, 1997) At UUA Bookstore.

Parents as Spiritual Guides by Roberta and Christopher Nelson. 6 sessions. Parents as Spiritual Guides encourages spiritual growth and faith development in children and adults by helping parents nurture children’s natural sense of wonder, develop celebrations and rituals in the home, and claim their significant role in the dynamic process of children’s spiritual growth. The program’s participatory exercises foster awareness of spiritual aspects of family life. (UUA, 2001) At UUA Bookstore.

Rise Up and Call Her Name: A Woman-honoring Journey Into Global Earth-based Spiritualities by Elizabeth Fisher. 13 sessions. This multimedia program provides a unique format for learning about goddesses from a variety of traditions, hearing and telling personal stories, creating sacred art, participating in rituals, talking about important questions in feminist spirituality, and engaging in personal discovery. Includes a leader's guide, video, 2 audiocassettes, sourcebook and journal, and a goddess booklet. (Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation, 1994)

Spirituality in Everyday Life: Participant's Manual (second edition) by Susan Breiddal. 7 sessions. This course for adults offers participants a chance to experience and learn about different aspects of spirituality and spiritual practices in a context pervaded by creativity. The topics of the seven-session course include sacred space, spiritual practice, ritual, creativity, the environment, and the idea of the “spiritual day.” (Susan Breiddal, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Up Close and Personal: Experiential Exercises for Building a Spiritual Community by Donna J. Moore. 28 sessions. This is a collection of experiential exercises to build community and foster intimacy among participants in a congregation. In each mini-program, participants are exposed to an idea and encouraged to discuss and reflect on that idea. This process of experiencing an idea leads to a greater understanding of a concept than one would gain by simply reading about that concept. (Donna J. Moore, 1997)

Welcoming Congregation, Second Edition:: Resources for Affirming Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and/or Transgender Persons by Scott Alexander, Keith Kron, Meg Riley. 14 sessions. The resource manual for The Welcoming Congregation Program (WCP). WCP is a voluntary program that helps congregations become more intentionally inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people by helping them confront homophobia in their congregations, both in individuals and the institution. This manual includes an attitude questionnaire, leader guidelines, 14 workshops, and extensive background reading. (UUA, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

You the Creator, the Adult Supplement by Richard S. Kimball. 8 sessions. Based on Kimball's youth curriculum You the Creator, this program gives adults an opportunity to unleash and appreciate their creative energies. Each session is divided into enjoyment, empowerment, and enlightenment activities. Based on the belief that everyone is creative, it emphasizes the relationship of anxiety and creativity, the idea of flow, the religious implications of creativity, and the idea of a universal creative force. (Green Timber Publications, 1994)

Multi-age

Worth and Dignity of All People by Marjorie Dunn. Based on the first Principle - the inherent worth and dignity of every person - for grades 1 to 8 in 4 grade levels (1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 8). Themes include building a caring/respectful group; understanding people with disabilities; understanding/overcoming racism, sexism, homophobia, and prejudice. Each theme is addressed in age-appropriate ways. (Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 1993)

Young Adult

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