Seventh Principle Project

UUA Independent Affiliate Organization

Claudia Kern

The Seventh Principle Project, the UUA environmental affiliate (www.uuaspp.org) is pleased to announce a new initiative to build a comprehensive resource of environmentally oriented religious education resources to help Unitarian Universalists teach our children about the connection between their natural world and their spiritual development.

Nurturing The Spirit-Nature Connection: A Seventh Principle Project Resource for Religious Education was “launched” in a “mini” 80-page first edition at a GA Program. The workshop featured DRE Sparrow Alden, UU author Charlene Brotman, and Pat Hoertdoerfer. It’s designed to entice attendees into becoming involved in the continuing development of Nurturing The Spirit-Nature Connection.

The first edition features a curriculum map created by DRE Sparrow Alden of most of the Earth-oriented religious education curricula used by UU religious educators. Now RE teachers and religious educators can easily locate an age-appropriate lesson on any of the following themes: The Interdependent Web, Cycles, Creation and Creativity, Earth Spirit, the Elements, Fauna, Flora, Trees – Very Special Flora, and Sustainability. In addition, Sparrow has developed an annotated bibliography of materials she and other religious educators have found especially effective to use with children.

In addition to the curriculum maps and the annotated bibliography, the resource contains the following resources:

• A supplement to one section of a wonderful book entitled Hands-On Nature produced by the Vermont Institute of Science. Sparrow Alden has written a UU teachers’ guide to help religious educators use this resource and to model the kind of teachers’ guides we hope educators will be inspired to contribute to future editions of Nurturing The Spirit-Nature Connection.
• A children’s parable contributed by Connie Barlow.
• A sample intergenerational service.
• A curriculum for teaching children about the story of the universe by Leslie Klein Pilder.
• A curriculum from the Interfaith Coalition on Energy called “Energy Activities for Faithful Youth.”

The Seventh Principle Project’s hope is that this beginning will inspire religious educators to make this resource grow. They are seeking contributions of lessons, intergenerational services, annotated additions to the bibliography, and new ideas for this ongoing project. In addition, they are seeking DREs and others interested in writing teachers’ guides for appropriate children’s books and other secular resources that UUs have found especially effective in using with children.

Nurturing The Spirit-Nature Connection may be purchased by sending a check for $15 plus $4 shipping for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy to: The Seventh Principle Project, PO Box 1523, Arlington, VA, 22210. Submissions or inquiries may be sent to: Claudia.Kern@Valley.net

Another resource: Honoring Earth: A Seventh Principle Project Worship Resource is also under development and the first edition will premiere at GA. The Worship Resource includes opening and closing words, prayers and meditations, sermons, complete services, sample rituals and celebrations, quotations, and an annotated bibliography. Additional materials are most welcome for future editions. The first edition of this resource totals approximately 150 pages and is available for a cost of $25 plus shipping.