Tapestry of Faith:
An Integrated Lifespan Unitarian Universalist
Faith Development Program
Call for Adult Programs/Curriculum Authors
The Unitarian Universalist Association seeks potential authors—individuals or teams—to be hired on a per-project basis for the development and writing of the Tapestry of Faith Adult Programs.
Tapestry of Faith: Adult Programs
Program Background:
Tapestry of Faith will be a lifespan integrated Unitarian Universalist faith development series of programs woven around four strands: Unitarian Universalist identity development, faith development, ethical development, and spiritual development. The seven principles and six sources interweave with these four strands to form a Tapestry of Unitarian Universalism designed for adult growth and learning.
The publication of Tapestry of Faith will facilitate a blossoming of adult religious education in our congregations. Congregations will have the tools to create relevant, practical, faith- and justice-centered programs for growing the souls of Unitarian Universalist adults. When adults find that they can grow in this Unitarian Universalist faith, they are more likely stay active in their religious community.
Surveys and needs assessments conducted by the Lifespan Faith Development Staff Group revealed a high interest in resources for adult spiritual growth, leadership and stewardship, ethics and living one's values, and knowledge about Unitarian Universalism. Other topics with significant interest included social action, knowledge of the world 's religions, and life issues. By offering congregations several options for engaging, viable adult programs, Tapestry of Faith will help congregations meet the ministry needs of their members.
Tapestry of Faith for adults will consist of several programs, each a group of workshops organized around a theme. The workshops can be offered as "stand-alones" or continuing series. Workshop design will offer a high degree of flexibility for different group sizes and formats. Programs will be written and delivered in phases.
The Unitarian Universalist Association is seeking authors in Winter 2006-2007 for three faith development programs for adults.
- Different Beliefs, One Faith
We have diverse theologies, but are we truly theologically welcoming? This program explores Unitarian Universalism's diverse theological perspectives, encouraging not only understanding but also respect across theological lines within our congregations.
- Unitarian Universalist Moral Values
Explores values, ethics, morality, and decision-making from a Unitarian Universalist perspective, helping participants integrate faith and action in their public and private lives.
- The Theological Ties that Bind
Includes process theology, liberation theology, feminist/womanist theology, religious humanism and other ways of meaning making in the liberal tradition.
Qualified applicants will have strong backgrounds in writing, teaching, and Unitarian Universalism.
Writing takes place in spring and summer 2007. Apply by 1/15/2007.
See below for further information and an application.
See "How to apply to be an Author" to learn more about the application process.
Where to send inquiry/materials:
Email communication is preferred. Inquiries and applications may be submitted to:
Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh 
Adult Programs Director
Lifespan Faith Development
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
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Call for Children's Programs/Curriculum Authors
The Unitarian Universalist Association seeks potential authors, either individuals or teams of writers, to be hired on a per-project basis for the development and writing of the Tapestry of Faith Children's Programs.
Tapestry of Faith: Children's Programs for Grades K – 6
Program Background:
Tapestry of Faith will be a rich and textured children's program, organized with four strands—Unitarian Universalist religious identity development, faith development, ethical development, and spiritual development—into which other facets are woven. Big questions, central stories, spiritual practices, sustained anti-bias foci, and UU Principles and Sources are also essential to the fabric. There will be attention to the "take away messages" of each program and how they nourish each child's quest to understand: What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? The program's design will reflect an understanding of child development and how children experience, work, create, sing, share, serve and learn in different ways.
Tapestry of Faith will include materials specifically designed for teachers and for families. Integrative in both content and form, the programs will have modular content and choices that allow for flexible congregational use. Tapestry of Faith will offer our children programs that hold them in love, ignite their passion for justice, and satisfy their need to know more deeply the diversity and wholeness of our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Children's Programs about "Seeking Truth"
Author applications due: January 30, 2007
Authors or co-author teams are needed for the following four programs. Writing will begin in May 2007 with full manuscripts due in October 2007. Authors are provided with a template for program design and an outline of suggested session topics with central stories.
- The Welcome Table: Friendship and Fairness
Kindergarten and First Grade, 16 Sessions
Early childhood writer Vivian Paley says that the three F's of early childhood are friendship, fairness & fantasy. This program engages children in the three F's from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. Each session will have a central story and children, too, will create stories through different medium. Children will understand that seeking truth and justice are key Unitarian Universalist practices, which are anchored by our sources. Children will understand their natural impulses toward friendship and fairness, in the context of UU faith.
- Moral Tales: Justice and Goodness
Second and Third Grades, 16 Sessions
Using tales of prophets and diverse literature of moral tales, children will explore goodness and justice in the context of Unitarian Universalist faith. What does it mean to be good? What does justice entail? Participants will create representations of what justice and goodness mean to them through multiple modalities.
- Through the Open Window: Self and Others
Fourth and Fifth Grades, 16 Sessions
Children will look at their circles of belonging and identities in light of UU Principles. They will detangle privilege and oppression on personal, community and societal levels from their vantage point as fourth and fifth grade children. Participants will explore respect, relational skills and hospitality as religious goods that emphasize power together rather than power over others.
- Amazing Grace: Virtue and Sin
Sixth Grade, 16 Sessions
Is evil or goodness within us? Is "you decide" really the UU answer to these questions? This program takes on these big questions in the context of Unitarian Universalist faith. Youth will explore how many world religions view virtue and sin and ponder their own understandings. They will consider, as well, what it means to experience grace. Opportunity to develop their own ideas and present them in theatrical performance or with other artistic media will be included.
How to Apply to be an Author:
Authors may apply as individuals or as members of a team. Please submit the requested materials and answer the following questions briefly in either question/answer or letter format.
Introduction:
- Why you would like to be considered as a writer for the Tapestry of Faith children's curriculum?
- Are you applying to write for a specific age group or as a general writer?
- When will you write this work? How much time per week will you be able to devote to this project?
- Do you prefer to work on your own or as a team?
Author Background Information:
- Do you have expertise in a particular age group(s) or content area?
- What skills and interests would you bring to your writing?
- What three attributes of curriculum are most important to consider when designing/writing children's programs?
- What support would you need to write children's curriculum to be used in Unitarian Universalist faith development programs?
- Include relevant resume or curriculum vitae.
Sample(s):
- Include at least one sample of your writing—preferably curriculum writing.
- Optional: additional writing sample(s).
If you have applied previously to be a Tapestry of Faith children's programs author:
Please provide relevant updates as well as answers to the following:
- Are you applying to write for a specific age group/ program or as a general writer?
- When will you write this work? How much time per week will you be able to devote to this project?
- Do you prefer to work on your own or as a team?
Where to send inquiry/materials:
Email communication is preferred. Inquiries and applications may be submitted to:
Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D.
Children and Families Programs Director
Lifespan Faith Development
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
617-948-6519
thurd@uua.org
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How to apply to be an Author:
Authors may apply as individuals or as members of a team. Please submit the requested materials and answer the following questions briefly in either question/answer or letter format.
Introduction:
- Which program(s) are you applying for?
- Why you would like to be considered as an author for the Tapestry of Faith curricula?
- When will you be available to write this program?
Author Background Information:
- Do you have expertise in this particular age group or a particular content area?
- What skills and interests would you bring to the development of this program?
- What three attributes of curriculum are most important to consider when designing/writing religious education programs for this age group?
- What support would you need to create curricula relevant to a Unitarian Universalist audience?
- Include relevant resume or curriculum vitae.
Sample(s):
- Include at least one sample of your writing—preferably curriculum writing.
- Optional: additional writing sample(s).
Where to send inquiry/materials: Adult Curricula | Childrens Curricula
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For more information:
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Curricula
