Made In God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue About the Church and Gender Differences

Educational

Hearts Unbound: Engaging Biblical texts of God's Radical Love through Reader's Theater

by David R. Weiss

The overwhelming message of the Bible, in story after story, is that of God's radical love and welcome. Every time we think we know who's in and who's out, God does something to challenge those assumptions, to unbind our hearts and minds from old ways of understanding, and to draw the circle ever wider.

HEARTS UNBOUND invites you to explore ten of those inspiring stories of radical love and welcome. Entertaining, thought-provoking, and participatory, each session looks in-depth at the story, the historical context out of which it came, and some of the insights to be gained.

Designed to be used as a small-group Bible study, HEARTS UNBOUND uses the format of Reader's Theater. But fear not... no costumes, sets, or refined acting chops needed! All you need are six to eight people around a table, reading the script, having fun, all the while learning a great deal in the process.

All ten sessions are available for free download below.

print Cook Ann Thompson Made In God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue About the Church and Gender Differences madeingods.gif Washington, DC Dumbarton United Methodist Church/Reconciling Ministries Network 2003 24 pp. Ann Thompson Cook communicates a gently assertive expectation that we as Christians need to get up to speed on something too rarely discussed but very important for the life of the church and its ministries. Combining valuable information, personal sharing, and resources, this booklet is a perfect starting place for any congregation, family, or individual seeking to better understand transgender issues and to provide a supportive environment for all of God's children. http://www.madeinimage.org/ _blank print Osterman Mary Jo editor Claiming the Promise: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible Study Resource on Homosexuality claiming.gif Chicago UMC Reconciling Congregation Program 1998 100 pp. A 7-session Bible study curriculum on homosexuality; discusses biblical authority, interpretation, "gracious hospitality", "Gift-ed sexuality", spirituality, right relationships, ethics and discipleship. http://www.rmnetwork.org/ctp.asp _blank print Lutherans Concerned/North America RIC Shared Congregational Conversation Around Homosexuality shconcon.gif Saint Paul Lutherans Concerned/North America 2000 40 pp. This 6 session adult education course for discussing a difficult topic was developed by the Lutherans Concerned Reconciling In Christ program. http://infox.lcna.org _blank online editors Same Gender Marriage: A Study Guide for Youth Groups and Campus Ministries Prepared by the Youth and Young Adult Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns http://www.ucccoalition.org/organizing/marriage/buypacket.html _blank print Harris Robie H. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health 10th anniversary perfectlynormal.jpg Cambridge, MA Candlewick Press 2004 96 pp. 0763624330 It's Perfectly Normal - for preteens and teens age 10 and up - provides accurate, unbiased answers to nearly every conceivable question, from conception and puberty to birth control and AIDS.

This book is available in Spanish (Sexo... Que Es?) and in over twenty-five languages. http://www.amazon.com/Its-Perfectly-Normal-Changing-Growing/dp/0763624330/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198172029&sr=8-1 _blank print UCC and UUA Members Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education Curricula and Sexuality and Our Faith: A Companion to Our Whole Lives ourwholelives.jpg Cleveland United Church of Christ and Unitarian University Association 2000

Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education programs for four age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. Written by professional sexuality educators, the programs provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to use with children and young people to help them learn about sexuality in the affirming and supportive setting of our churches.

The resources are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. There is a Parent Guide to Our Whole Lives Grades K-1 and Grades 4-6 that accompanies the Our Whole Lives resource for those age levels. Our Whole Lives Grades 4-6 also uses the book, It's Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris.

Sexuality and Our Faith, written by United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist Association members, is the accompanying resource used for each of the grade groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12 in the church setting. Each of the grade level resources has separate sections devoted to UCC and UUA faith traditions. By using Sexuality and Our Faith, leaders integrate worship, prayer and discussion of United Church of Christ faith values and principles into the programs for each age group.

The Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health and Justice is a resource that helps readers advocate for comprehensive sexuality education in their churches and communities.

Our Whole Lives, together with Sexuality and Our Faith, helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality.

Each level of Our Whole Lives and Sexuality and Our Faith offers:

A well-designed, teacher-friendly leader's guide
Trained leaders
Parent orientation programs that engage parents in the sexuality education of their children
United Church of Christ materials incorporating worship and religious values into the program
Up-to-date information and candid answers to all participants' questions
Activities to help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
Effective group-building to create a safe and supportive peer environment
Education about sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment
Opportunities to critique media messages about gender and sexuality
Acceptance of diversity
Encouragement to act for justice

http://www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality_education/our-whole-lives.html _blank print United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns Youth and Young Adult Program Same Gender Marriage: A Study Guide for Youth Groups and Campus Ministries Cleveland United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns 2004 Prepared by the Youth and Young Adult Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns http://www.ucccoalition.org/resources/yya.html _blank print Cook Ann Thompson And God Loves Each One: A Resource for Dialogue About Sexual Orientation andgodloves.jpg Washington, DC Dumbarton United Methodist Church/Reconciling Ministries Network 2003 20 pp. And God Loves Each One is more than just a book; it's a catalyst for a new dialogue about sexual orientation in churches and communities. It offers a path for people who wonder about sexual orientation, who wonder about the religious view that it's wrong to be gay. It's about lighting a spark of learning in your church and community. It's about growing and bringing gay and straight people together-united by their profound faith that God indeed loves each one. Read it and start a dialogue. Share it, give it away, and tell your own story. Make And God Loves Each One the basis for making a difference in your church and community! Available in Spanish. http://www.godloveseachone.org/ _blank print UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns Open and Affirming (ONA) Study Packet onastudypacket.jpg Cleveland United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns 1997 10 pockets A seven-session study packet for use in local congregations. Prepared by the Open and Affirming Task Team of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, and the UCC Coalition. Materials on sexual orientation, youth issues (video included), family and relationships, heterosexism, homophobia, scriptural interpretation, the ONA process in the local church, and more. This packet includes both the Bisexuality Pocket and the Transgender Pocket (also available separately). http://www.unitedchurchpress.com/product_detail.taf?site_uid1=20&catalog_uid1=989 _blank print Burrill Melany All God's Children: Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity allgodschildren.jpg Fort Wayne, IN LifeQuest 2009 20 pp. 1-893270-48-0 All God's Children is an essential guide to open and caring conversations with young children about gender and sexual orientation. You'll find that this small, user-friendly book addresses your concerns, your questions, and your search for just the right words; it also suggests ideas for sermons and classroom activities. As you read, you'll learn to model openness, respect, and the affirming belief that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender difference, is a beloved child of God. Anyone who has a loving relationship with young children—parents, family, friends, pastors, Sunday School teachers—will benefit from reading and discussing All God's Children. http://www.godloveseachone.org/allgodschildren/ _blank online editors Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity From the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank online editors Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Adolescent Sexuality From the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank online editors An Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sex Education A theological framework for comprehensive sexuality education from the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank print Haffner Rev. Debra W. A Time to Every Purpose: The Language of Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing timeforeverypurpose.jpg Norwalk, CT Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing 2009 72 pp. A compendium of progressive theological statements on a range of sexuality issues that enable religious leaders and faith communities to preach, teach and advocate for sexual justice. It includes historical information and statistical data to establish the social and economic contexts for each of the sexuality issues addressed. It also provides responsive readings for use in congregational worship, as well as study group questions and lists of resources. http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank print Palmer Timothy Rev. Debra W. Haffner A Time to Seek: Study Guide on Sexual and Gender Diversity timetoseek2.jpg Norwalk, CT Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing 2007 47 pp. 1-893270-44-0 http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank print Haffner Rev. Debra W. A Time to Build: Creating Sexually Healthy Faith Communities timetobuild.jpg Norwalk, CT Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing 2002 40 pp. http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank print Haffner Rev. Debra W. Kate M. Ott A Time to Speak: Faith Communities and Sexuality Education timetospeak.jpg Norwalk, CT Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing 2005 56 pp. 1-893270-36-X http://www.religiousinstitute.org/publications.html _blank print Love Joshua Uncommon Hope: A DVD Enhanced Curriculum Reflecting the Heart of the Church for People Affected by HIV/AIDS UncommonHope.jpg Bloomington, IN Trafford Publishing 2009 208 pp. 1426901909 Uncommon Hope offers a dynamic, small-group curriculum designed to support people of faith in answering God's call to end the silence and inaction magnifying the human suffering and death wrought by HIV and AIDS. Whether your church or faith-based organization is just beginning to engage in HIV/AIDS ministry or has a long history in the work, Uncommon Hope provides tools and experiences to foster the development of spiritual responses that are authentic to your community, consistent with the core teachings of all major faith traditions, and respectful of the rich diversity reflected in the lives most impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Uncommon Hope is open to and inclusive of all people living with HIV and AIDS, whether they are infected in the body or affected as concerned and caring community members. The program is a progressive, multi-unit curriculum packaged in six chapters, each comprising a combination of educational tools, engaged learning, public action, and social support. Participants are afforded the opportunity to acquire new skills and insight at each stage of the process: Awareness, Truths, Radical Change, and Inspiration.

For more information, call 1-866-HOPE MCC (4673-622). http://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Hope-Enhanced-Curriculum-Reflecting/dp/1426901909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259873091&sr=8-1-spell _blank multimedia Tolerance Teaching editors Bullied: A Student, a School and a Cast that Made History bullied_kit.jpg Montgomery, AL Teaching Tolerance: A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center 2010 40 min. Bullied is a documentary film that chronicles one student's ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies and offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment today. It can become a cornerstone of anti-bullying efforts in middle and high schools. Bullied includes:

A 40-minute documentary film (DVD), with closed captioning and with Spanish subtitles
A two-part viewer's guide with standards-aligned lesson plans and activities for use in staff development
Additional materials online

Bullied is designed to help administrators, teachers and counselors create a safer school environment for all students, not just those who are gay and lesbian. It is also intended to help all students understand the terrible toll bullying can take on its victims, and to encourage students to stand up for their classmates who are being harassed. DVD and study guide http://www.tolerance.org/bullied _blank online editors Where All Can Safely Live WhereAllCanSafelyLive.jpg Where All May Safely Live

A guide to understanding bullying in our communities, how to talk about it, and how to prevent it.

This anti-bullying curriculum is an introduction to what bullying is, how it functions, and why we as Christians are called to prevent it from happening in our communities. It was developed by Lutherans Concerned/North America with the help of the staff at the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute, from the pioneering research on bullying by Dan Olweus, and materials created by the United States government.

This curriculum is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to stopping bullying. However, this guide provides a basic understanding of how bullying works and offers suggestions for steps in creating a congregational bullying prevention plan.

Available for free download

PDF http://www.lcna.org/images/stories/downloads/resources/048_whereallcansafelylive_aug2011.pdf _blank print Alston Macky Ashley Harness, Susan Reed My Mind Was Changed: A New Way to Talk with Conflicted Christians about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Church and Society - A Communications Toolkit MyMind.jpg New York Auburn Seminary 2012 43 pages A new way to talk about the dignity and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people that helps move conflicted Christians through their religious and emotional conflicts to stand for, not against, LBGT equality. Based on original research conducted by Auburn Media in partnership with Fenton and Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, the "My Mind Was Changed" toolkit offers the most powerful approaches to moving conflicted Christians from a place of standing against LGBT equality to standing for it, in church and state. https://auburnseminary.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/mindchanged _blank