Crossing Paths
An Interfaith Exploration Curriculum from Soul Matters
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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.
Crossing Paths is developed for 7th-9th graders, and can be used for 6th graders with adaptations.
Ideally, Crossing Paths would come before our coming of age program, Becoming. We’ve designed them to work in partnership, with Crossing Paths focused on deepening youths' understanding of our faith and Becoming aimed at helping youth shape their own distinctive UU identity.
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.
Video Overview/Orientation
In addition to the informant below, you can learn more about these unique components by watching our Leader Orientation Webinar by clicking HERE. The recording is also 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
Cost
The cost for the program is $250.
We also offer a small church discount for those congregation size is less than 175 members.
Click on one of the below buttons to purchase.
Samples
Samples are the best way to get a sense of the program. Check out our Crossing Paths Leaders Guide and Packet on UUism HERE.
Questions
Email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey. (soulmattersre@gmail.com)
Crossing Paths is developed for 7th-9th graders, and can be used for 6th graders with adaptations.
Ideally, Crossing Paths would come before our coming of age program, Becoming. We’ve designed them to work in partnership, with Crossing Paths focused on deepening youths' understanding of our faith and Becoming aimed at helping youth shape their own distinctive UU identity.
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.
Video Overview/Orientation
In addition to the informant below, you can learn more about these unique components by watching our Leader Orientation Webinar by clicking HERE. The recording is also 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 (Recording found HERE)
Cost
The cost for the program is $250.
We also offer a small church discount for those congregation size is less than 175 members.
Click on one of the below buttons to purchase.
Samples
Samples are the best way to get a sense of the program. Check out our Crossing Paths Leaders Guide and Packet on UUism HERE.
Questions
Email our Director of Religious Education Resources, Katie Covey. (soulmattersre@gmail.com)
Click on a button below to purchase