Tapestry of Faith

Over the past couple of years the Unitarian Universalist Association has worked with several curriculum writers to create a robust, coordinated, set of courses, lesson plans, and resources for use by Unitarian Universalist congregations. This project is different from prior attempts to fulfill the Religious Education needs of congregations. For instance, the Tapestry of Faith documents are all provided online, all include standard elements, provide alternative exercises, and are linked to the principles and sources of Unitarian Universalism.

One key philosophical underpinning is that we are providing something uniquely Unitarian Universalist in these learning opportunities. As Judith Freidiani says, with Tapestry of Faith we seek to "Give them not a program about religions, but to give them a religion." For some Unitarian Universalists this is a radical break from our history, but I believe it is the right step at the right time. Our world is increasingly secular. Families come to us who do not know what religion is or can be. The mission of Unitarian Universalism is no longer just one of freeing people from provincial, lockstep religious thinking, but one of opening possibilities for a radical liberal new religion. Unitarian Universalism can be that religion, the religion that supports the creation of a loving and just world.

During my years in Seminary, starting in 2004, the central question, the perennial question in classes and in student discussions has been "Is there a THERE there?" In other words, is Unitarian Universalism a religion that is defined by what it is not or is there something positive and meaningful in our history and practice? Are we simply a refuge for escapees from religious dogmatism or are we a religious home and springboard for continued human development and healthful transformation? This question has been debated in other contexts, and I stand with those who believe that Unitarian Universalism is a religion with much to offer, much more than "not dogmatic." Further, I stand with those who believe that we are doing a disservice to our children when we don't offer them this positive transformational Unitarian Universalism in their Religious Education experiences.

If we believe that there is something good in Unitarian Universalism, then we must share that with our children. Tapestry of Faith is one way of doing so.

I mentioned earlier that Tapestry of Faith draws on the sources of Unitarian Universalism. There are six sources listed in our Association bylaws. Tapestry of Faith also draws on a seventh source: Unitarian Universalism (and Unitarianism and Universalism). We are no longer such a new religion that we don't have history and tradition and common practices, values, and aspirations to draw upon in our religious education. Alleuia!

Tapestry of Faith is designed for an 8 or 16 session Sunday School year. But there are sufficient alternative exercises and especially the "Faith in Action" component, that it can be extended for a longer year, or differently structured year. Not all of the courses lend themselves immediately to adaptation to multigenerational learning, rotating classrooms, Way Cool Sunday School, or Workshop Rotation, but since they are provided in electronic form, it should be easy to cut, copy, and paste your way to a creative year. For instance, the Faith in Action or Taking it Home elements provided with every course can be pulled and used separately. The Harvest the Power course can be adapted for leadership training. Taking it Home elements can be used for adult RE and sermon-writing. The stories are indexed and searchable for use in services and other contexts. Incorporate Spirit of Life or Spirit in Practice resources into committee meetings or other gatherings to remind us that we are "doing church" when we are doing anything with our congregations, and that matters.

Adult education is also becoming available (additional materials are still under development.) I'm particularly excited about Thandeka's Unitarian Universalist Theology course: What Moves Us which should be available this fall or winter.

Looking back to the idea of "circle Unitarian Universalism"... I believe that one characteristic of circle Unitarian Universalism is that we Circle UUs are UU-positive, religion-positive, and joyful about the goods of our chosen religion. We do not choose to keep it 'neath a basket hid. Tapestry of Faith is one way to let our light shine brightly!
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/index.shtml