Administration

Religious Education Credentialing Program
Office of Religious Education Credentialing, UUA
December 2002

Overview:
In the coming year the Office of Religious Education Credentialing will be accepting applications to participate in the new Religious Education Credentialing Program of the UUA. This program is the outgrowth of the plan articulated in the June 2002 Report for the UUA Board from the Liberal Religious Educators' Association (LREDA) and Unitarian Universalist Association Joint Task Force on Professional Standards for Lay Religious Education Professionals.

The goal of the Religious Education Credentialing program is to strengthen Unitarian Universalist religious education through the development and professionalization of lay religious educators. It will help to nurture the call to religious education as a profession, provide a comprehensive path for professional development, articulate and uphold professional standards and guidelines, and encourage meaningful institutional recognition of professional achievement.

Who should participate in this program:
The Religious Education Credentialing Program is primarily designed for lay religious educators who are committed to Unitarian Universalist religious education as a career, and desire professional development, recognition and adherence to standards, but do not feel called to the professional ministry. Participants can achieve status in the program at three different levels, based on academic achievement, integration of knowledge of lifespan religious education, and length of professional experience. A participant may enter the program at any level.

Level One Religious Educator status will be appropriate for those in the beginning stages of a career in religious education in a paid position of at least ¼ time (or equivalent) with a basic knowledge of and training in religious education, or for those with little or no formal academic background.

Level Two Religious Educator status will be appropriate for those in the beginning or middle stages of a career in religious education in a paid position of at least ½ time (or equivalent) with a working knowledge of religious education, and with at least a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Credentialed Religious Educator status will be appropriate for those in a more advanced stage of a career in religious education in a paid position of at least ½ time (or equivalent) with a comprehensive knowledge of religious education, and with at least a Master's degree or equivalent, and graduate-level academic credit in specific subject areas pertinent to UU religious education leadership.

Program requirements:
To apply to the program, a religious educator will submit a Statement of Intent, including a short statement of professional aspirations, a resume, and a set of endorsements attesting to the applicant's suitability for a career in religious education.

To qualify for achievement of a program status, a participant will submit documentation of academic and professional experience and completing the requirements of a reading list, a portfolio that reflects understanding and accomplishment in the many areas of religious education leadership, a brief statement that demonstrates the ability to articulate a personal religious philosophy, and recommendations from persons familiar with the participants professional achievement. A participant must establish a relationship with a mentor through the LREDA Mentoring Program. Participants pursuing achievement of a Level Two or Credentialed Religious Educator must have their portfolio and application materials approved (including equivalency claims) by a UUA Religious Education Credentialing Committee, as well as meet with the committee for an interview. To achieve and retain their program status, all participants must adhere to the rules and policies established by the Religious Education Credentialing Committee.
Program benefits:

• Stronger, more vital religious education programs;
• Personal self-esteem and professional accomplishment;
• Clear guidelines for professional development;
• More long-term professional viability in religious education;
• Greater potential for collegial relationships;
• Access to Online DRE Settlement system;
• Salary recommendations that reflect credentialed achievement;
• Institutional support and meaningful recognition of achievement.

Where are we now:
With the help of the Religious Education Credentialing Interim Advisory Committee (composed of LREDA members and UUA staff) we are refining program details, policies and procedures, creating forms and reading lists, designing database and website supports. We are communicating with the LREDA Mentor Task Force as they develop their training program. With our support the Board of the UUA is working towards creating a Religious Education Credentialing Committee to set rules and policies, and to evaluate program participants. The Board is also reviewing bylaw modifications required to firmly anchor this program into the Association. We are forging collegial relationships with affiliate and professional groups that serve the many professionals within our association. We are providing information to religious educators and their colleagues and congregations across the country.

Late winter 2003 is our target date for inviting qualified participants of the RE Leadership Landscape Options program to transition into the Religious Education Credentialing Program. The Religious Education Credentialing Program will replace the Landscape Options program. We hope to begin inviting all other religious educators to apply to the program in Spring 2003. The LREDA Mentoring Task Force hopes to have mentors available beginning in Fall 2003.

For more information on the Religious Education Credentialing Program or program transition plans, please contact:
Emily Farbman, Religious Education Credentialing Assistant, UUA
efarbman@uua.org, 617/948-6418 or Beth Williams, Religious Education Credentialing Director, UUA
bethwilliams@uua.org, 617/948-6417

For more information on the LREDA Mentoring Program, please contact:
Liz Jones, LREDA Mentoring Task Force Chair
LjonesSD@aol.com, 619/298-9978

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Grants and Scholarships Available to Religious Educators

Each year the Unitarian Universalist Association makes available modest-sized grants and scholarships to religious educators who serve Unitarian Universalist congregations. The grants and scholarships are primarily intended to help with the expenses of professional development programs for religious educators, such as formal course work, Renaissance modules, and summer and winter religious education institutes. These grants and scholarships were made possible by the generosity of persons who cared deeply about Unitarian Universalist religious education, and established funds for its welfare.

The Clara Bancroft Beatley Fund is for preparing women to work in religious education and may be used for persons wishing to participate in the Renaissance program or other such training.

The Eugene Bowen Fund provides annual $100 grants to twelve historically Universalist congregations for religious education program use, such as purchasing curricula or equipment.

The Earle Fund from the Universalist General Sunday School Association provides scholarships of up to $100 each for persons wishing to attend summer institutes.

The Josephine T. Gould Scholarship Fund grants up to $150 annually to further the education of religious educators in Unitarian Universalist congregations or those preparing to become religious educators in these congregations.

The Barbara Marshman & Ann Fields Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a religious educator serving a Unitarian Universalist congregation who is engaged in graduate study. This $500 prize is given through the generous contributions of those who wish to memorialize and honor the work of these two great religious educators, and through the ongoing financial support of the UUA. Application deadline is May 1st.

Continuing Education Grants: The Director of Religious Education Credentialing has funds available to support the continuing education of lay professional religious educators. Priority will be given to those seeking status within the RE Credentialing program of the UUA. Ordained religious educators seeking continuing education funds should contact Rev. Michelle Bentley, Director of Ministerial Development at mbentley@uua.org.

Each of these grants and scholarships has individual requirements and restrictions. For an application form or additional information, contact Emily Farbman, Religious Education Credentialing Assistant, Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group, UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108, 617-948-6418, or efarbman@uua.org.

We also strongly encourage you to contact your congregation, district office, and local conference/program sponsoring group for additional grants and scholarships that may be available to further your work in religious education.

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Application for Religious Education Professional Development Grants

Please check the scholarship or grant for which you are applying:
_____ Clara Bancroft Beatley Fund
_____ Barbara Marshman/Ann Fields Scholarship
_____ Earle Fund
_____ Continuing Education Grant
_____ Josephine T. Gould Scholarship

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Mailing Address:

__________________________________________________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________ Phone: ___________________________

UU congregation you are currently serving:

__________________________________________________________________

Your position:

__________________________________________________________________

Class or program you will attend:

__________________________________________________________________

Starting/ending dates:

__________________________________________________________________

Please describe briefly the program you will be taking:

______________________________________________________________________________

How will this program contribute to your professional development as a religious educator?

______________________________________________________________________________

Check here if you intend to seek recognition in the upcoming RE Credentialing Program:______

Cost of class or program:

Tuition/Registration Fee: $___________________

Books/materials: $___________________

Room & Board: $___________________

Travel: $___________________

Other (describe): $___________________

Total Cost: $___________________

Amount Requested: $___________________

Other funding you have requested and/or received:_____________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Comments: _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Please send completed application form to Emily Farbman, Religious Education Credentialing Assistant, Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 or efarbman@uua.org. Questions? Call Emily Farbman at 617-948-6418.

Application Eugene Bowen Fund Grant

The Eugene Bowen Fund provides annual $100 grants to twelve historically Universalist congregations for religious education program use, such as purchasing curricula or equipment.

Name: _________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Mailing Address:

___________________________________________________________________________

E-Mail: __________________________________

Phone: ___________________________

Unitarian Universalist Congregation Name:

___________________________________________

Your Congregation's Historical Universalist Name:

___________________________________________

Your position:

__________________________________________________________________

Curricula, equipment or other item you will be purchasing:

How will this item contribute to the enrichment of your religious education program?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Cost of Item: $___________________

Other funding you have requested and/or received:

______________________________________________________________________________

Comments:

______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Please send completed application form to Emily Farbman, Religious Education Credentialing Assistant, Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 or efarbman@uua.org. Questions? Call Emily Farbman at 617-948-6418.