It is important that teachers of all ages be given the tools necessary to support the concept of faith development within Unitarian Universalist religious education programs. Equally important is that they be given the tools, and opportunities, to further their own development – as "faith-full" Unitarian Universalists and thus as teachers. Teachers are called to bring their identities, their whole selves to the enterprise of education.
DATE March 12–14, Friday 6:30pm - Sunday 1pm
LOCATION The Summit Conference Center, Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC (near Greensboro)
REGISTRATION Registration fee (if registered and paid by February 10, 2010) - $250 Early Bird discount fee (before 12/31/09) - $225 Late registration fee (after 2/10/10) - $300 Scholarships are available.
LODGING is in motel-style units and cabins. Motel units have 1 double and a single. Single supplement - if available - is $50. Cabins sleep up to 4 on lower bunks. Baths are shared.
MEALS
Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch and snacks are provided.
MORE INFORMATION Workshop A: Teacher Development Renaissance Module This module is based on the premise that more important than teaching technique, is the ability of religious education teachers to share of themselves in relationship to the participants in a religious education program, and that a teacher whose shared self does not encompass a developed faith will not be successful in supporting the faith development of those in their program. The module’s primary focus is the development of a "faith-filled" teacher in the context of Unitarian Universalist religious education, rather than specific techniques, strategies, and procedures. Professional religious educators and volunteers will benefit from this module because religious education teachers need the guidance of professional staff who attend to their own faith development journeys, and because they will gain the experience needed to model and adapt the module’s material and activities for their own religious education programs.
Facilitators: Nancy Combs-Morgan, Faith Development Director in the Heartland District of the UUA and Kate Beasley, who served 3 years as Director of Religious Education in a small congregation and 10 years as DRE at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Durham, NC.
Workshop B: Nurturing and Supporting Adult Faith Development in Congregations Vibrant, growing congregations acknowledge that spiritual journeys last a lifetime, and offer intentional, structured opportunities for adults of all ages and life stages to grow in spiritual depth. In this track, we will explore the process of faith development in adult Unitarian Universalists- Who are our adult learners? How do they learn best? What do facilitators of adult programs need to know and do to offer strong adult programming? How can we attend to adult faith development in the context of multigenerational faith communities? Participants will have ample opportunity to engage with theoretical information, to learn and practice skills, and to learn how to best use Tapestry of Faith and other adult programs.
Facilitator: Gail Forsyth-Vail, a master’s level credentialed religious educator, is the Adult Programs Director in the Lifespan Faith Development staff group. She holds a M.A. from Rivier College. Gail is the 2007 recipient of the Angus MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education.
Workshop C: Campus Ministry – Why and How One of our most important ministries is our ministry on our college and university campuses. Our high school graduates go looking for UU campus ministries at the colleges and universities they select. These are often leaders from their youth programs who want to continue to enrich their faith and grow spiritually. UU campus ministries also attract young people who want a spiritual and religious home and community. Using the experience we have in several very successful campus ministries in our district, we will:
find ways we can work together
develop a training model for volunteer staff to lead campus ministries
address ways we can create a district wide program for campus ministries
create a resource bank of ways all our congregations can be involved in campus ministry.
Facilitators: Sue Sinnamon, TJD Director of Faith Development and Marion Hirsch, DRE for The Community Church of Chapel Hill UU, NC and facilitator of their Campus Ministry. Click here to download the flyer.
Thomas Jefferson District ♦ 9704 Mallard Creek Road ♦ Charlotte, NC 28262 ♦ 800-549-0751 ♦ tjd@uua.org
