Adult Curriculum Resource Index

Author: Patricia Bowen

Theme and Description Allows both individuals and groups to explore the book Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age by Jack Mendelsohn. Introduces Unitarian Universalism, encourages participants to develop and articulate their personal beliefs and values, explores the meaning for religious liberals of traditional religious concepts such as God, sin, prayer and authority, and examines the role of social action in liberal religious life.

Authors: Makanah Elizabeth Morriss and David Hicks MacPherson

Theme and Description A participatory adult religious education program to help parents enhance the religious dimension of family life. Each session is divided into three sections: theological concerns, Unitarian Universalism in the home, and parent support group.

Author: Richard S. Gilbert

Theme and Description A structured but flexible program in two parts. Within a community context, individuals reflect on their religious experiences and knowledge and create their own credos. The process of study, reflection, group discussion, and credo-writing guides participants in examining and articulating their own and the community's theology. Part I is a prerequisite to Part II, since building one's own theology is an evolving, continuing process. Part I invites each person to write his or her spiritual odyssey and examines a structure for a liberal theological model, varieties of religious experience, human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics, and religious meaning. Part II continues the process of theological meaning-making by examining truth and authority, the holy, good and evil, justice and the beloved community, suffering, death, immortality, and a doctrine of the liberal church.

Author: Richard S. Gilbert

Theme and Description Builds on the format of Building Your Own Theology, Volumes I and II, but can be used independently. The concept of the "Moral Compass" helps identify eight modes of decision-making. Drawing on case studies from literary, historical, and contemporary sources, Volume III shows what processes participants use to make difficult moral and ethical decisions in a Unitarian Universalist context.

Author: Bob Williamson

Theme and Description: The CHARTING SELF curriculum is an 8-session adult religious education course which invites participants to explore changes in their religious beliefs in the context of changes in their most important relationships. The course uses the BELIEFS CHART to help participants think about beliefs in a new way, and to consider whether any of their religious beliefs have been attractive primarily due to their "relationship function."

Author: Stephen C. Washburn

Theme and Description Based on an interactive method of Bible study developed by Waiter Wink, Conversations With the Bible is an opportunity to explore Hebrew and Christian scriptures from a liberal religious perspective. Participants read selected texts and explore biblical scripture through discussion, dialogue, guided meditation, small-group work, and creative exercises. This program is ideal for those who have had negative or limiting experiences with the Bible, as well as those who wish to enhance their knowledge of biblical scripture in the context of a supportive group.

God Images

Author: Mary Ann Moore

Theme and Description Encourages adults to explore their own processes of God imaging with reference to images of God in many religious traditions and in scientific models of reality. May be purchased separately from or as a supplement to the children's program (see God Images in Elementary section).

A Holy Curiosity, part I and II

Author: Bruce T. Marshall

Theme and Description These two study guides are based on Marshall's book A Holy Curiosity: Stories of a Liberal Religious Faith. Part I draws on the first five chapters; Part II on the last five. Each invites participants to use their own personal stories to explore fundamental religious questions and theological concerns. The guides work well in a group setting, although they can be used for individual study through journal writing and reflection.

In Our Hands: Adults

Authors: Robert C. Branch, Samuel Goldenberg, and Mary Thomson

Theme and Description Encourages participants' collaborative inquiry into many peace and justice issues. Among the topics considered are personal decision making, attitudes toward interpersonal conflict, and envisioning a more peaceful and just world community. Each session allows plenty of opportunity for reflection and discussion. Participants perform a variety of explorative activities, which helps them go beyond information about issues to integrate their knowledge, feelings, and values into their own lives and to act effectively for peace and justice.

Life Tapestry

Authors: Marcia Bowen, Jeanne Nieuwejaar, and Richard Stower

Theme and Description Offers adults an opportunity to explore and share insights on such issues as listening and communication, dreams and reality, aging, intimacy and independence, and spirituality in an open and supportive setting. Modeled on the popular curriculum for high school youth, Life Issues for Teenagers (LIFT), the program uses experiential activities, small-group work, guided meditation, and the arts to help adults learn about themselves and each other.

The New UU

Authors: Jean Highsmith, Mary Nell McLauchlin, and Jack Schmidt

Theme and Description Orients visitors and new members to Unitarian Universalist congregations.

Our Chosen Faith

Author: Joan Goodwin

Theme and DescriptionA 6-session program for individuals or groups to explore the book Our Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by John A. Buehrens and Forrester Church. The book includes 10 essays (5 by each author) inspired by the 5 sources of the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism.

Our UU Story

Author: Carol D. Meyer

Theme and Description Explores UU identity within the context of the history and heritage of Unitarianism and Universalism. Readings, discussions, and activities help participants explore their spiritual development, religious attitudes, values and beliefs, and current theological trends and issues.

Owning Your Religious Past: Thu Haunting Church

Author: Bonnie H. Stauffacher

Theme and Description A workshop format provides some simple tools with which individuals may re-examine and retrieve positive aspects of their past religious experience as part of their continuing religious growth.

Parents as Resident Theologians

Authors: Roberta and Christopher Nelson

Theme and Description Helps parents and other adults articulate their religious experiences and beliefs in order to respond to the religious questions of their children.

Parents as Social Justice Educators

Authors: Roberta and Christopher Nelson

Theme and Description Helps parents and other adults help children and youth find meaning in the world and learn to make the world a better place. Makes connections between our religious faith and values and our actions. Encourages adults to appreciate the value of their own social action efforts; to share their convictions with young people; and to nurture and inspire hope, compassion, and commitment in the family, congregation, and larger community.

Philosophy-Making

Editors: Elizabeth Anastos and David Marshak

Theme and Description Helps congregations develop a usable philosophy of lifespan religious education to guide their program planning in accordance with their beliefs, values, and priorities. Contains workshops for three processes of various lengths.

Prophetic Sisterhood

Authors: Cynthia Grant Tucker and Barbara Child

Theme and Description This Life span Series program offers groups and individuals an opportunity for in-depth exploration of Tucker's book Prophetic Sisterhood: Liberal Women Ministers of the Frontier, 1880-1930, which explores the lives and work of women who entered the male-dominated liberal ministry, bringing with them new perspectives to preaching, pastoral care, and church administration.

Religious Liberals Read thd Bible

Author: John A. Buehrens

Theme and Description A study/discussion guide to Buehrens's Understanding the Bible: A Basic Introduction for Religious Liberals, this program examines some of the Bible's answers to a very basic human and religious question: "What kind of story are we in" Examines some highlights of biblical literature and 8 great themes suggested by them: creation, liberation, exaltation, frustration, redemption, incarnation, and salvation.

Remember Universalism into Life

Authors: Raymond R. Nasemann and Elizabeth M. Strong

Theme and Description A discussion guide for The Universalist Heritage, a book of 15 keynote addresses delivered by Unitarian Universalist ministers at the annual meeting of the New York State Convention of Universalists from 1976 to 1992.

Rise Up and Call Her Name

Author: Elizabeth Fisher

Theme and Description This multimedia program provides a unique format for learning about goddesses from a variety of traditions, hearing and telling personal stories, creating sacred art, participating in rituals, talking about important questions in feminist spirituality, and engaging in personal discovery. Includes a leader's guide, video, 2 audiocassettes sourcebook and journal, and a goddess booklet.

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity

Authors: Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani

Theme and Description Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action.

The Welcoming Congregation

Editor: Scott Alexander

Theme and Description The resource manual for The Welcoming Congregation, a voluntary program that helps congregations become more inclusive by looking at themselves and homophobia, and by choosing to welcome gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. This manual includes an attitude questionnaire, leader guidelines, 10 workshops, and extensive background reading.

You the Creator (adult supplement)

Author: Richard S. Kimball

Theme and Description Based on Kimball's youth curriculum You the Creator, this program gives adults an opportunity to unleash and appreciate their creative energies. Each session is divided into enjoyment, empowerment, and enlightenment activities. Based on the belief that everyone is creative, it emphasizes the relationship of anxiety and creativity, the idea of flow, the religious implications of creativity, and the idea of a universal creative force.