New Religious Educators
Are you a new religious educator? Welcome!
Here are our top ten pieces of advice:
- Join the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) and subscribe to its mailing list.
- Join the Canadian UU Religious Educators (CUURE), the Canadian chapter of LREDA. Please fill out the form below.
- You’ll be added to the CUC’s email list for religious educators—introduce yourself there and connect with your colleagues!
- Connect with the CUC directors for congregational life for your region:
• Central and Eastern: Rev. Linda Thomson, linda.thomson@cuc.ca, 905-332-3851
• BC and Western Regions: Rev. Anne Barker, anne.barker@cuc.ca, 416-489-4121 - Check out the Professional Learning Units for Staff (PLUS) program of the UUA, which is designed for new congregational staff.See if your congregation has a copy of The R.E. Road Map. Although a bit dated (published in 2003), it’s a useful collection of resources and samples for administering and enriching an RE program. If you don’t have a copy, you can buy a PDF from the author.
- Take advantage of educational webinars offered by the CUC and by the UUA’s Faith Development Office. You can attend them live or read and watch transcripts and recordings.
- Attend your regional gatherings, LREDA’s fall conference, and the national CUC Conference and CUURE Days whenever you can!
- Love the people, love what you do, watch your hours, foster healthy boundaries, maintain your own spiritual practice, find balance, and connect with your colleagues.