|
Helen Zidowecki was a DRE in Augusta, Maine, for 15 years before being ordained as a Minister of Religious Education in 1998, and remains a member of that congregation. She was the Religious Education/Youth Specialist for the Northeast District, UUA, until June 2007. She has led Renaissance modules and is a mentor in the UU Religious Education Credentialing Program. She is involved with the UU Religious Education History Group and the UU Small Group Ministry Network.
|
|
207-582-5308 
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | AGE | COST |
| Dr. Seuss and Unitarian Universalists | 36 sessions. The stories are not included. The stories include references to the Principles/Affirmations, and the church setting. Variety of sessions for all ages. | All ages | web free |
| Implementing Small Group Ministry New | Ideas for implementing Small Group Ministry/Covenant Groups: Overview, Life Cycles, Direction and Coordination, Group Formation and Processm, Sessions, Service, Visibility, Expanding Small Group Ministry. | Adult | $20 bk; $15 Cd |
| Sharing the Journey | Small Group Ministry With Youth. Planning and implementing small group ministry with youth in congregations and conference settings. Tapestry of Faith, UUA | Gr9-12 | web UUA |
| Small Group Ministry for Youth | 25 session plans. Provides background for developing this dynamic format for Youth. Includes a session for facilitators, and discussion and session plans for The Five Steps to Building Community and Six Components of a Balanced Youth Program | 12-18yrs | $25 |
| Small Group Ministry With All Ages | Small Group Ministry is an inclusive opportunity for all ages to connect, listen, reflect, and learn with each other. Explore small group ministry by age group and with mixed ages. Includes implementation strategies, session plan development, and sessions for single and multi-age groups. | All ages | $30 |
| Social Justice Work | Preparation, Action, Reflection Through Small Group Ministry. Background and use of Small Group Ministry and 34 plans for Social Justice work with all ages. | All ages | $30 |
| Uniitarian and Universalist Women: Liberating History | 119 women, 1743-2003, from UU Women's Heritage calendars 1996-2005. Biographic information, pictures, sayings. Includes several religious educators: Sophia Fahs, Edna Bruner, Dorothy Spoerl, Frances Wood, Betty Baker, Norma Veridan, Junella Hanson | $30 | |
| UU Alphabet | 33 sessions.Introduces important UUs in history and in the congregation, getting to know the church setting. Online. Suggestions for additional ages. | 3yrs.-Gr.1 + | web free |
| UU Principles and Parenting: Small Group Ministry | 12 sessions, 2hrs. each. The UU Principles and spritual practices of parents and other adults working with children, and how they model and share with Children. Online. | Adult | web free |
| UUWHS Story 1988-2011 | History of the Unitarian Universalist Women's Heritage Society, including material about women as background for numerous educational opportunities. | $25 bk; $10 CD |
Ordering Information
ONLINE
Dr. Seuss and UUs
UU Principles and Parenting: Small Group Miistry
The UU Alphabet
www.hzmre.com
FROM UU SMALL GROUP MINISTRY NETWORK
Small Group Ministry With All Ages
Social Justice Work
Small Group Ministry With Youth
http://www.smallgroupministry.net/forsale.html
FROM UUA ONLINE
Sharing the Jouney
http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/youth/journey/index.shtml
FROM UU HISTORY AND HERITAGE SOCIETY
UU Women: Liberating
http://www.uuhs.org/uuwhs-book-order
Member Profile
WHY DO YOU WRITE CURRICULUM?
I started writing curriculum when I was Director of Religious Education in Augusta, Maine. There did not seem to be material available for:
* the younger ages (UU Alphabet and Dr. Suess and UU's) in the late 1980's and 1990's
* parents (UU Principles and Parenting - ironically came out same year as UUA's Parents as Resident Theologians)
* youth in the early 2000's (Small Group Ministry for Youth, now being embraced in a Tapestry curriculum) * smaller Religious Education programs
Around 2000, I became involved with Small Group Ministry, and revised earlier curricula to follow the more relational, small group ministry format and method of inquiry.
HOW IS THIS MATERIAL APPLICABLE TO UU RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/EXPLORATION?
The curricula incorporate the UU Principles. UU Alphabet introduced historic Unitarians and Universalists, as well as things in congregational life (music, role of minister, etc.) The youth curriculum incorporated items that are in use in the UU Youth culture, such as the Components of Balanced Program, Steps to Building Community.
Religious education materials for children are also resources for parents new to Unitarian Universalism as they also learn about their new religious community.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE MATERIAL THAT IS INCLUSIVE RELATED TO GEOGRAPHY, ANTI-OPPRESSION AND WELCOMING DIVERSITY, AND SIZE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AND CONGREGATION?
The UU Alphabet was field tested by congregations selected geographically and by size. There was intentional consideration of gender, clergy/lay, racial and cultural background, and Unitarian and Universalist heritage in selection of individuals included. The other curricula were used by other congregations, not specifically as field test, but comments were encouraged and there were several readers for each curriculum. Comments regarding inclusivity are always welcome.
WHAT RESOURCES HAVE YOU USED AND HOW HAVE YOU PROTECTED THOSE RESOURCES? HOW MAY PEOPLE USE YOUR MATERIALS? (Copyright concerns about using materials created by others, and about protecting your own materials)
* The various stories and inspiration for material in the UU Alphabet and UU Principles and Parenting, including specific permission obtained.
* Dr. Seuss and UUs does not include the stories, which would be copyright violation.
* I ask that the source of my curricula be noted when using or referencing materials.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT WRITERS?
* Writers can develop material specific to a congregation, but embodying material that can be used beyond a specific situation.
* Writers present a diverse approach to topics, and creative presentation of materials. In the process, I have found writing to be intentional development of my own values and spiritual practice. This then serves as an incentive for others to be creative.
* The interests and abilities of independent writers may result in invitations to write in other arenas, such as for a UUA (example: Tapestry of Faith), or Skinner House.