​Crossing Paths:

A “Neighboring Faiths” Curriculum from Soul Matters


"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.
 
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 curriculum and adds its own unique components, including an emphasis on theological grounding, a distinct take on religious pluralism ("Many Mountains, Many Paths"), an abundance of experiential learning and a deep commitment to family-centered activities.

We offer Crossing Paths in formats for theme-based congregations as well as non-theme-based ones. Our theme-based version aligns each visit and faith tradition with our monthly themes. So youth not only learn about other faith traditions, but also experience how those faith traditions engage the same themes and questions that their home church is wrestling with. It’s a powerful way to bring thematic ministry to your youth program.  The non-theme-based version replaces a focus on themes with a focus on comparing and contrasting each religion with UU values and beliefs. It can be used by any UU congregation, whether they are part of other Soul Matters programs or not.  

As with most “neighboring faith” programs, ours is organized as a year-long program with sessions for every Sunday of the month. 

The faith traditions covered include:
  • Unitarian Universalism                 
  • Judaism
  • Christianity        
  • Catholicism
  • Christian Evangelicalism (Mega Church)
  • Black Church Traditions
  • Buddhism            
  • Hinduism
  • Quakers
  • Islam

Purchases Include:
  • Leaders’ Guide
  • Online Leader Orientation Webinar - We offer these several times a year.  Once they are scheduled, you can register for it on our Webinar Page and view previous recording of the orientation on our Webinar Recordings page.
  • 19 Packets – One kick-off packet and two different theme-based packets for each of the nine non-UU religions covered. Each packet contains over 30 pages of curriculum. (The non-theme-based version includes 10 packets, one for each of the religions.)
  • A Scheduling Guide that lays out the religion and theme options for each month and assists you in organizing your schedule for the year. ​
 
Package Choices & Cost:     
We offer four different packages:
  • 2019-2020 Crossing Paths Theme-Based Series - First Time Purchase: $250
  • 2019-2020 Crossing Paths Theme-Based Series - Renewal (2nd time purchase, with packets updated with 2019-20 themes) : $85
  • Last year's curriculum, following the 2018-19 themes: $250
  • Crossing Paths Non-Themed Series: $275
 
            More about renewal purchases: Each year we adapt the theme-based curriculum to fit the new Soul Matters themes and
            expand the number of faith tradition options. 
 
Receiving the Material:
  • 2019-2020 Theme-Based Curriculum: The Leaders’ Guide, Scheduling Guide and September's Kick-Off Packet (which includes a session on UUism) are emailed automatically at purchase. The October and November packets will be emailed by August 15, 2019, with the remaining packets sent out 2-3 months in advance of the months they are scheduled for use. 
  • Last year's Theme-Based Curriculum (2018-2019 Series): Receive all materials at purchase, including the Leaders’ Guide, Scheduling Guide, September's Kick-Off Packet (which includes a session on UUism) and all the packets for October-June.
  • Non-Themed Curriculum: Receive all materials at purchase, including the Leaders’ Guide, Scheduling Guide, September's Kick-Off Packet and all the packets for October-June.
 
Samples:
Check out a sample packet  here.  
​Check out the Leaders Guide here.
​Listen to our Crossing Paths Music Playlist here.

View Introduction Webinar:
Get a better sense of what Crossing Paths is all about by viewing this recording of the Introduction to Crossing Paths Webinar we did for the 2018-19 church year. 

Questions:
For curriculum content or coaching questions, email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey. 
For purchasing or content delivery questions, email our Director of Membership, Susan Arnold.
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