Crossing Paths
An Interfaith Exploration Curriculum from Soul Matters
Now designed for multi-platform use!
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"Crossing Paths is dynamic, detailed, and flexible. It is clearly made for the young people of today and meets them where they are at in terms of emotional and intellectual content. The lessons are fun and memorable, and we're so grateful to have access to this curriculum."
- Clare Fortune-Lad, DRE, UU Church of Haverhill, Haverhill, MA "I got a chance to observe the class and they were reviewing everything they learned so far and it was AMAZING how engaged these kids were and the memories they shared. It made my heart sing!" - Sadie Kahn-Greene, Director of Faith Formation, UU Church of Nashua, Nashua, NH |
We are thrilled to offer Crossing Paths, a Soul Matters version of the impactful Neighboring Faiths youth programs used throughout our UU congregations.
Unique Components
Crossing Paths joins the long line of visit-based UU curriculum going back 70 years. Church Across the Street was published in 1947. More recently, we’ve seen Neighboring Faiths (1997) and Building Bridges (Tapestry of Faith). Our Soul Matters version honors these previous curricula and adds its own unique components, including an emphasis on theological grounding, a distinct take on religious pluralism ("Many Mountains, Many Paths") and an abundance of experiential learning and a deep commitment to family-centered activities. Learn more about these unique components by attending our Leader Orientation Webinar, which will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 7:30 eastern. The recording will be posted on our Webinar Recordings page.
UU Identity Formation
While the program is built around interfaith engagement, its focus is really on UU youth identity formation. We lift up the beauty of core pieces of other faiths, but we also weave in UU centering practices and theology along the way. As we compare and contrast our sibling religions with our own, youth become better grounded in their faith and clarify their own particular UU identity.
Designed for Online, In-Person & Multiplatform Use
While many congregations will use Crossing Paths in-person, we know some will need virtual and online alternatives. For instance, a resurgence of Covid may make in-person activities and visits unwise. Or some congregations may not have a particular house of faith in their town. And there’s also the challenge of what to do when a youth can’t make a visit. To help you with these various challenges, we’ve built in numerous multi-platform strategies:
The Faith Traditions Covered
Purchases Include
Publication Schedule
The packets are published throughout the year. View and download our Scheduling & Publication Chart for details.
Subscription Choices & Cost
We offer four levels of subscriptions, depending on the size of your congregation and if you've purchased a previous version of Crossing Paths:
New/First Time Subscription: $210 for congregations less than 175 members
$245 for congregations more than 175 members
Renewing Subscription: $110 for congregations less than 175 members
$145 for congregations more than 175 members
Advanced Leader Coaching Cohorts
Our Leaders’ Guide and the leader tips in our packets offer robust support for leaders, but we also offer extra support through our Advanced Leader Coaching Cohort groups. These groups run for two sessions (webinars), one in August and the other in October. The August meeting offers a deep dive into running the family orientation and adapting the program to your unique setting. The October session focuses on problem solving the challenges you run into after you’ve started the program. To register, visit our Webinars & Trainings page.
Samples
We are currently updating the Leaders Guide and Orientation/UU Packet, which will be available as free samples by the end of July at the latest. If you'd like to see a draft prior to that contact Katie.
Questions
Email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey.
Unique Components
Crossing Paths joins the long line of visit-based UU curriculum going back 70 years. Church Across the Street was published in 1947. More recently, we’ve seen Neighboring Faiths (1997) and Building Bridges (Tapestry of Faith). Our Soul Matters version honors these previous curricula and adds its own unique components, including an emphasis on theological grounding, a distinct take on religious pluralism ("Many Mountains, Many Paths") and an abundance of experiential learning and a deep commitment to family-centered activities. Learn more about these unique components by attending our Leader Orientation Webinar, which will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 7:30 eastern. The recording will be posted on our Webinar Recordings page.
UU Identity Formation
While the program is built around interfaith engagement, its focus is really on UU youth identity formation. We lift up the beauty of core pieces of other faiths, but we also weave in UU centering practices and theology along the way. As we compare and contrast our sibling religions with our own, youth become better grounded in their faith and clarify their own particular UU identity.
Designed for Online, In-Person & Multiplatform Use
While many congregations will use Crossing Paths in-person, we know some will need virtual and online alternatives. For instance, a resurgence of Covid may make in-person activities and visits unwise. Or some congregations may not have a particular house of faith in their town. And there’s also the challenge of what to do when a youth can’t make a visit. To help you with these various challenges, we’ve built in numerous multi-platform strategies:
- Virtual visit options, including:
- Exploring that faith community’s website.
- Watching videos of that faith tradition’s worship and/or core spiritual practice.
- Interviewing a leader from that faith community or a person who practices that religion.
- Games & activities designed for online play
- Tips for use of Zoom technology
The Faith Traditions Covered
- Unitarian Universalism
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Catholicism
- Christian Evangelicalism (Mega Church)
- Quakerism
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Paganism
- Humanism (New this year!)
Purchases Include
- Leaders’ Guide
- 11 Packets
- Leader Orientation Webinar (held Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 7:30 eastern, will be recorded)
Publication Schedule
The packets are published throughout the year. View and download our Scheduling & Publication Chart for details.
Subscription Choices & Cost
We offer four levels of subscriptions, depending on the size of your congregation and if you've purchased a previous version of Crossing Paths:
New/First Time Subscription: $210 for congregations less than 175 members
$245 for congregations more than 175 members
Renewing Subscription: $110 for congregations less than 175 members
$145 for congregations more than 175 members
Advanced Leader Coaching Cohorts
Our Leaders’ Guide and the leader tips in our packets offer robust support for leaders, but we also offer extra support through our Advanced Leader Coaching Cohort groups. These groups run for two sessions (webinars), one in August and the other in October. The August meeting offers a deep dive into running the family orientation and adapting the program to your unique setting. The October session focuses on problem solving the challenges you run into after you’ve started the program. To register, visit our Webinars & Trainings page.
Samples
We are currently updating the Leaders Guide and Orientation/UU Packet, which will be available as free samples by the end of July at the latest. If you'd like to see a draft prior to that contact Katie.
Questions
Email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey.
PURCHASE YOUR 2021-22 SUBSCRIPTION TODAY!
Select one of our purchase options below:
Select one of our purchase options below: