Book Review: Full Circle

Fifteen Ways to Grow Lifelong UUs

By Kate Tweedie Erslev
Boston, MA: Unitarian Universalist Association, 2004

Reviewed by Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D.
Children and Family Programs Director
Lifespan Faith Development
UUA, Boston, MA

What makes someone a lifelong Unitarian Universalist? Kate Tweedie Erslev explored this question with 82 men and women ranging in age from 25 to 87 who were raised, and still identify as, Unitarian Universalists. She asked them about their experiences, what they remembered, and what moved their hearts while they were learning about Unitarian Universalism. She listened carefully, and themes emerged. Full Circle is organized around those themes.

The 15 ways to grow lifelong UUs include:

• Embrace our UU identity;
• Recognize religious education as an important portal to institutional involvement;
• Share the value of attending church regularly, at least 3 times a month;
• Ritualize holiday events and celebratory activities;
• Prepare all for the negative side of church and community;
• Provide background for teachers in every weekly session plan;
• Provide parent handouts in every session plan;
• Offer opportunities for all ages to live out UU values;
• Offer engaging church school for kindergarten through 6th grade;
• Take every opportunity for ministers and lay leaders to mentor children and teens;
• Sweep teens into immersion experiences;
• Bolster and protect youth groups;
• Connect our young adults to our congregations and faith movement;
• Sing together; and
• Celebrate founders, lifers, and heritage.

Written in an easy-to-access, engaging manner, Full Circle is a provocative pleasure to read. The voices and stories of the participants emerge strongly. Some of the simplest reflections are most poignant: "My second grade Sunday school teacher, Rowena Harrison, became a very important person in my life. Later, her death made me think about how I'd like to be like her." Comments like these invite readers to think about times when we, too, felt somehow specially connected to others in our congregations who we came to know through teaching or service. There is something unique and valuable about relationships forged in faith.

This book is testimony to the centrality of religious education in congregational life. It is an excellent, affirming resource for religious educators and volunteer teacher/leaders. The memories of lessons, glue sticks, youth conferences, and choirs attest to both the mission and importance of our work: helping each other grow spiritually, religiously and faithfully. Full Circle provides information about how to nurture community, encourage congregational growth, and engage in best practices. As Judith Frediani, writing in the forward, notes, " Full Circle demonstrates that every person and every activity in the congregation can contribute to individual faith development and congregational growth and vitality. I hope this book will likewise serve as a catalyst for spirited conversation, reflection, and action in our congregations as they build the beloved community."