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
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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

What's happening?
The Renaissance Program is sponsoring a special, comprehensive training for leaders of Renaissance Modules. Each participant will receive training in two of the newly revised modules, as well as in group dynamics, conflict management, mentoring, adult education theory, and personal spiritual development.

Who can participate?
Admission is by application and will be limited to 32 participants. The training is designed for new and relatively new leaders, although more experienced leaders are also welcome to apply. Where qualifications are otherwise about equal, preference will be given to applicants who have received Renaissance Recognition and who have led or co-led one or more modules. Consideration will also be given to the geographic distribution of participants. Applications from male religious educators and religious educators of color are particularly encouraged.

When and where will the training take place?
The training will be held at a conference center in the Chicago area; the actual site is yet to be confirmed. The program will begin Wednesday evening, August 7, 2002, and end at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 11, 2002. All participants will be expected to attend the entire time.

Are all the modules included in this training?
Almost. Eight of the nine Renaissance modules will be included. Only the Teacher Training module will not be represented at this time, largely because there are already more qualified leaders for that module than for the others.

Who is leading the training?
The trainers include a number of experienced module leaders, as well as others with particular expertise and experience, including Rev. Elizabeth Strong, Program Consultant for the MA. Bay District; Dori Davenport, Program Consultant for the Central Midwest District; Judith A. Frediani, Acting Director of the UUA Religious Education Department; Jacqui James, UUA Religious Education Department; Rev. Frances Manly, Director of the Renaissance Program; Rev. Betty Jo Middleton; and Rev. Alice Syltie.

How much will it cost?
As of the REACH deadline in November, we are still finalizing our arrangements with the conference center, so the exact cost of the conference is not yet known. We expect that there will be a registration fee of no more than $200, due upon acceptance. All other costs, including travel, will be covered by a generous grant from the Fund for Unitarian Universalism and by contributions from district religious education committees. If necessary, participants may be required to pay any travel costs above a reasonable cut-off point. (This could happen if airline fares rise beyond the amount budgeted for the conference or it could apply to individual participants who choose more expensive means of travel.)

How do I apply?
An application form is included in the Winter 2002 REACH packet. The deadline was February 15, 2002.

If I can't come to this training-can I try again next year?
No, this training is not likely to be repeated for several years.

Does that mean I can't become a leader if I miss this training?
Not necessarily. We have always trained Renaissance leaders by apprenticeship: new leaders work as co-leaders with more experienced leaders, and then apply to the Renaissance Advisory Committee to become leaders themselves. The application is very similar to the one for participation in the August training. The Renaissance Advisory Committee evaluates the applications, approves new leaders, and adds them to the module leader lists. We will continue this process of leadership development. (In fact, the participants in this summer's leadership training will receive special training in mentoring new leaders.) However, since this training is designed to add up to 32 new leaders to the leader lists, it is likely that, at least for some modules, we will add few new leaders by apprenticeship for a while.

More questions?
Contact Rev. Frances Manly, Director, Renaissance Program. You can reach her by phone at (716) 837-9230 or by e-mail at RenProgram@aol.com.