ADMINISTRATION
Covenanting not Conclave
Angus MacLean Award
Training a New Generation of Renaissance Leaders
Two Open Letters
Teacher Recognition Sunday
The Value of RE
Youth & Young Adult Sunday

ADULT RE
Film as Theological Text

CURRICULUM
Curriculum Resources
RE Loan Library
OWL Newsletters
Talking to Your Former Spouse About OWL
Timeless Themes
Witness
Family Heritage
The Caged Birds of Phenom Penh
Hate Hurts
Leave No Child Behind

RESOURCES
Cain & Abel
From Essex Conversations
Internship in Washington, DC
Growing Together
Star Island Information
Heretic's Faith
Grants & Scholarships

WORSHIP
Franz & Josef
Ice Cream Sunday
USSS Award-Winning Sermon
What You Do Today

YOUTH
YPS Application

Index Page

Conclave will not be convened in '02. Instead, there will be a training for Religious Education Covenant facilitators from each district from Friday, May 3 through Monday, May 6, 2002, in Boston.

A new RE covenanting process is being designed, and each district will have its own covenant facilitator. To select participants each district will forward two or three applicants to the RE Covenant Task Force, who will select one from each district to be trained. All training expenses will be paid for these district covenant facilitators. If you have good group facilitation skills and experience, a background in Religious Education, and are interested in this program, read on and consider applying to your district.

COVENANTING FOR EXCELLENCE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
An Overview of the Process

Background
The word covenant has broad meaning. It is traditional religious language that refers to a "solemn agreement" or "promise from the heart." Today, our association of Unitarian Universalist congregations covenant to affirm and promote a set of principles and purposes that represent the core values we share. Many of our congregations enter into covenantal relationships with their Ministers.
Developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association in the early 1990's, Covenanting for Excellence in Religious Education is a facilitated process between a religious educator and a congregation for purposes of identifying a set of mutually agreed upon commitments. In its current incarnation, this covenant process considers present expectations of the congregation and outlines mutual hopes for the future of the program. It may be used as a tool for growth and deeper understandings for the congregation and religious educator, with identified resources, mutual commitments, and support systems. It can specify results expected and how these results will be achieved. The covenant should be a living document that represents more than a list of objectives and aspirations; it reflects a commitment to ongoing congregational transformation. A covenant reflects the quality of the relationships involved, rather than the contractual dimensions of employment.

The Process
This is the first major revision of the Covenanting for Excellence in Religious Education since its inception. Along the way, the process has been adapted and improved by including the wisdom and insights of experienced facilitators. This facilitator handbook will include many of the materials generated by these facilitators over the past decade. The Covenanting Process is a part of a professional development "life cycle" of religious educators in a congregational setting. This life cycle includes:

Search Process & Hiring
Start-up Process for newly-hired RE Professionals, within three months of hire
Facilitated Collegial Dialogue between Parish Minister and Religious Educator
Facilitated Covenanting Process, approximately one and a half years after hire
Follow-up Assessments at regular intervals
Ongoing Professional Development & Goal-setting
Exit/Transition Process upon departure/retirement from a position

Setting the stage for congregational change and transformation, a Covenant for Excellence in Religious Education deepens and strengthens the bonds of Unitarian Universalist community through intentional commitment to the common vision, awareness of faith development, growth and change.

The process is conducted by trained facilitators with the religious educator, parish minister and other church staff, lay leaders, and other interested congregants. It involves individual and group theological reflection and exploration of the congregation's history and culture, clarifying and prioritizing goals and expectations, articulating a common vision, and celebrating the accomplishment in a special service.

The Context
A Covenant for Excellence in Religious Education invites us to place lifespan religious education and faith development at the center and heart of congregational life. In this context of religious community, all aspects of congregation life are interconnected and are affected by the changes in priorities and ways in which leadership is shared. Maria Harris, esteemed religious educator, offers us the philosophy that everything we do is educating religiously. Harris views the entire course of the congregation's life as its curriculum, the context for its life-long creative and educative processes. Within this framework of Congregation as Curriculum we can identify five central aspects of Unitarian Universalist faith communities:

Social/Community: the people and relationships of the church, pastoral care networks, social events and community celebrations.
Social Justice: service projects, social justice activities in the wider community.
Worship: worship services and rituals practiced in the congregation.
Learning: the more formal learning context of Religious Education classes, workshops, adult programs, as well as the informal learning that comes from engaging in the other aspects.
Leadership: opportunities for all ages to learn and practice leadership skills; also the coaching and mentoring practices of professional staff and congregation leaders in empowering others.

The Covenanting for Excellence in Religious Education process is a stepping stone, part of a larger process of congregational transformation. Once created, the covenant is intended to be a vital and sacred part of an intergenerational faith community-a true "promise from the heart."

Cindy Leitner, Dori Davenport, Laurel Amabile, & Tracey Robinson-Harris