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We joined our first Unitarian Universalist congregation in Binghamton, New York, because we wanted our son to be raised in a community that shared our values. As he grew, so did I—learning about this faith from my quiet spot in the pews on Sunday mornings.
Then one day, after receiving so much, the gentle nudge to start giving back arrived: Would you co-lead one of our children’s RE classes?
Me? Who barely knows anything yet? Teach?
Before I could blink, there I was: a grown adult with nervous hands clutching a binder of lesson plans like a lifeline and staring out that first Sunday into a cluster of young, upturned faces. I was determined that somehow, impossibly, I would teach these kids something.
As it turned out, these kids and this precious half hour together taught me way more than I could have ever imagined. The children’s questions taught me confidence. Their laughter taught me to relax. And the time spent in community with another generation taught me that learning isn’t just about an adult imparting wisdom to a child; it’s about listening and looking with an open heart and mind every chance you get.
Congregations and religious professionals across America are living this idea in increasingly creative and transformative ways—and this issue of UU World celebrates that vital work. We explore new methods for engaging busy, often overwhelmed families beyond those traditional Sunday RE classes. And we lift up how programs are, in the words of writer Aisha Staggers, “reshaping what faith formation can look like—shared spaces where all generations can engage in spiritual deepening and justice work.”
As we lean into the rich wisdom of our fellow members, we continue our work to draw the circle wide, and this issue offers ideas and resources for radical welcoming and long-term belonging for congregations of any size. I was particularly moved by the words of the UUA’s Southern Region lead Natalie Briscoe, who writes: “You are already fully equipped to offer everything the world needs so desperately right now. Whether there are eight or 800 of you, I am willing to bet you have untapped potential just waiting to blossom.”
One way I am continuing to learn is through Wayfinder, UU World’s free email newsletter that shares news and stories of Unitarian Universalism, offering ways to navigate these difficult times. You can sign up for it, as I did, at uuworld.org/newsletter. Especially now, learning and meaning-making are vital tools for resistance, and everyone—from our elders to our youngest children—has lessons to learn and to share.