Crossing Paths:
A “Neighboring Faiths” Curriculum from Soul Matters
Now an online curriculum!
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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 "Crossing Paths was a blessing. It allowed us to do true theme-based ministry while keeping with the well-loved Middle School tradition of visiting other faiths." - Ashley Johnson, Credentialed Educator, Columbine UU Church, Littleton, CO "I talked with one of my Crossing Paths leaders to check in about how it was going. He said he loves Crossing Paths and wishes it was a two year curriculum! I said it will be. And right at that moment he offered to teach again next year! Thank you!! I also 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 versions honor 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.
UU Identity Formation
While the program is built around interfaith engagement, its focus is really on UU youth identity formation. We not only lift up the core pieces of other faiths, we also compare and contrast those faith's beliefs and practices with those of our UU faith. By exploring those similarities and contrasts, youth are better grounded in their faith and clarify their own particular UU identity.
Modified for Online Use
For this time of Covid-19 and online church, we've significantly revised the program so youth can learn about the various religions through videos, webpage visits and online zoom conversations with religious leaders, rather than in-person visits. We've also retained the experiential learning components by offering all-new games and activities that can be done together online.
Weekly Sessions
As with most “neighboring faith” programs, ours is organized as a 10-month program with 4 sessions every month.
The Faith Traditions Covered
Purchases Include
Package Choices & Cost
The 2020-2021 online Crossing Paths subscription is $250 for congregations of 200 or more members & $210 for congregations of under 200 members.
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 Leader Coaching Cohort groups. These groups run for two sessions (webinars) and are held in August and October of each year. The August meeting focuses on tips for running the family orientation and adapting the program to your unique setting. The October session focuses on problem solving issues you run into after you’ve started running the program.
Samples
Check out this year's online Leaders Guide and Orientation/UU Packet for free by clicking here.
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 versions honor 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.
UU Identity Formation
While the program is built around interfaith engagement, its focus is really on UU youth identity formation. We not only lift up the core pieces of other faiths, we also compare and contrast those faith's beliefs and practices with those of our UU faith. By exploring those similarities and contrasts, youth are better grounded in their faith and clarify their own particular UU identity.
Modified for Online Use
For this time of Covid-19 and online church, we've significantly revised the program so youth can learn about the various religions through videos, webpage visits and online zoom conversations with religious leaders, rather than in-person visits. We've also retained the experiential learning components by offering all-new games and activities that can be done together online.
Weekly Sessions
As with most “neighboring faith” programs, ours is organized as a 10-month program with 4 sessions every month.
The Faith Traditions Covered
- Unitarian Universalism
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Catholicism
- Christian Evangelicalism (Mega Church)
- Quakerism
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Paganism (new this year)
Purchases Include
- Leaders’ Guide
- 10 Packets - The packets will come out in stages, giving us time to update each for online use this year. Click here for our publishing schedule.
Package Choices & Cost
The 2020-2021 online Crossing Paths subscription is $250 for congregations of 200 or more members & $210 for congregations of under 200 members.
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 Leader Coaching Cohort groups. These groups run for two sessions (webinars) and are held in August and October of each year. The August meeting focuses on tips for running the family orientation and adapting the program to your unique setting. The October session focuses on problem solving issues you run into after you’ve started running the program.
Samples
Check out this year's online Leaders Guide and Orientation/UU Packet for free by clicking here.
Questions
Email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey.
PURCHASE TODAY!
Select one of our purchase options below:
Select one of our purchase options below: