"Our Place in the Web of Life" - A New Environmental Justice Curriculum for UU Congregations
This is a lively 5-session curriculum designed as a basic introduction to environmental justice (EJ). Using highly participatory techniques, the lesson plans take people through a journey exploring your values and the consequences of the choices you make. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of your congregation’s special place in the world and the connections you have with people near and far as a result of your congregation’s environmental impact.
Coaching Sessions for Facilitators-- we don't have another session scheduled at this time. After you have downloaded the curriculum and are ready to schedule it at your congregation, please contact office@uuministryforearth.org and ask to be put on a wait list. If there is interest, we will try to schedule another session in a few months. During the coaching session, Pam or Mark offer advice to current and prospective facilitators from around the country and talk about how to adapt the curriculum to individual circumstances.
Contents include:
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Step-by-step facilitator’s guide with full script and
advance preparation instructions - Demo facilitation video
- General facilitation tips
- Exclusive EJ theology and ethics video
- Suggested opening and closing meditations
- Suggested music downloads
- Homework handouts
- Evaluation forms
FAQ: Our Place in the Web of LIfe, Q&A from Sept. 20 webinar (PDF version 93 KB).
Preview of the curriculum
Click here to hear Pam and Mark offer a short overview of the curriculum. approx. 3 min.
Click here to hear a 30 sec. clip of Meadville-Lombard theologian Michael Hogue speak about why people of faith should engage in environmental justice work. This is a snippet from our exclusive UU Ethics & Theology video which comes with the curriculum.
Please make a donation on the order form to support this work. This introductory module of the UU Ministry for Earth Environmental Justice Curriculum is a free download thanks to the upport of the UU Fund for Social Responsibiity and many individual donors. We ask that you make a contribution so that we can provide follow-up coaching to congregations and volunteer facilitators as well as roll out other modules. Suggested donation levels are $5-$10 per participant in the course, or $50 for a small congregation (under 200 members) and $100 for larger congregations.
Click the Donate & Order tab ( https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/uuministry4earth/giftstore.jsp ) to order a download and to make a donation (by filling in the amount at checkout). After you submit the order form, you'll receive an email with the links to the files.
Please give us feedback after you have used the curriculum
We also ask that you report on how you use the materials and the impacts they have had in your community. A feedback form is included when you download the curriculum. This will help us better serve you!
Meet the Curriculum Designers
Dr. Mark A. Hicks, Angus MacLean Professor of Religious Education,
Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Mark A. Hicks is the Angus MacLean Professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School and Director of the Sophia Fahs Center for Religious Education. Heholds a doctorate degree in philosophy and education and a Master’s degree in higher and adult education, both from Teachers College, Columbia University in the City of New York.
Drawing on his experience as a teacher, musician, university administrator and advocate for social change, Dr. Hicks brings to Unitarian Universalism his experience of designed a gold-standard professional development degree that transforms the teaching and learning lives of public school teachers and children. He is known as a teacher’s teacher, his scholarship and teaching being recognized by peers for “Teaching Excellence” as well as making “contributions that stand the test of time” to the field of transformative teaching and research.
Pamela Sparr, environmental justice consultant
Pamela Sparr is an economist specializing in sustainable development and equity issues. Her particular expertise is working with non-profits to develop transformative educational materials and experiences that enable staff, board members and constituents to grow as they engage in effective, sustained justice work in the world. As part of her consulting practice, Pam advises faith-based organizations on advocacy campaigns and represents them in Washington, D.C. She also chairs a technical advisory committee on equity and affordability issues as part of a major national project to develop a sustainability roadmap for U.S. municipalities.
In 2000, Pam won an international award given by WWF International and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation for her environmental justice work as a “Sacred Gift to the Planet”. She is a long-time member of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. where she started its 7th Principle Committee and led the church in applying to become a certified Green Sanctuary.
Miss the introductory webinars? Here's the slide set and the audio:
Our Place in the Web of LIfe slide set Webinars on Sept. 20 and October 15. (PDF version 394KB).
Audio recording of the second webinar on Oct. 15 (mp3 file, 25 MB). http://www.z2systems.com/np/viewDocument?orgId=uuministry4earth&id=e201e61b3359a14b01335cbcad8e001f
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Central East Regional Group (CERG), UU congregations in the Joseph Priestly, Metro NY, Ohio-Meadville and St. Lawrence Districts, for producing the webinar and providing the audio content.
Copyright
(c) Copyright 2011 Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. This curriculum and videos are copyrighted material owned by Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, with pictures and other materials used by permission as indicated in each module. The UUMFE grants permission for congregations and organizations to use complete programs or individual sessions as needed in religious education programs. You may download, modify, use, and share the materials here as you see fit for any non-commercial purpose as long as you keep the UUMFE copyright notice intact.