Education and Training Commission

Mission Statement To provide a framework for education and training within the Unitarian movement which will enhance the development of people of all ages as both individuals and Unitarians.

To download the Education and Training Commission Tree as a PDF please click here.

Publications List

All available from Essex Hall t: 0207 240 2384.

Awakenings : first steps in religious awareness for under 7s - £5.00
By Janet Ashcroft, Sheila Jones, Betty Smith and Joan Smith; revised by Margaret Robinson (E+TC 2007, REYD, 2000, first published in 1992, 55 pages). Covers five topics: the senses, the feelings, the natural world, change and celebrations.

British Unitarian Journey - £3.00
By Rev Vernon Marshall (E & TC, 2004, 40 pages). An adult educational programme in eight sessions, exploring the evolution of the British Unitarian tradition.

Building Our Identity - £3.00
A programme designed to explore and foster understanding of the Object of the General Assembly. By Rev Keith Gilley on behalf of the Unitarian Renewal Group. (REYD, 2002, 27 pages). In five sessions, but with alternatives suggested for just one or two sessions.

Building Your Own Theology (British Version) - £3.00
A programme designed to help individuals understand, develop and articulate their values and belief systems. Based on Richard S. Gilbert's version in the USA. Produced by members of the Unitarian Renewal Group. (GA, 2000, 55 pages). In ten sessions.

Celebrating Diversity - £5.00
A resource pack for Unitarian and Free Christian leaders on sexual orientation and other equality issues, produced by members of the Sexual Orientation Equality Group. (GA, 2003). Includes: training resources, readings, personal testimonies and background information.

Chalice Award Leaders' Pack - £10.00
Information about the Chalice Award Scheme and how it operates. (REYD, 2001; with revisions and additions E+TC, 2009). With masters for photocopying, and background notes. Now incorporates nine new modules. The scheme is run at four levels: Green (ages 4-6), Bronze (ages 6-9), Silver (ages 9-11) and Gold (ages 11-14).

Chalice Award Green Level - £3.00
For ages 4-6. (E+TC, 2006, with new background notes and resource list 2009). Includes four modules: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, with a range of activities to complete for each module (six needed for each module).

Cosmic Kids Book £4.00
The Unitarian Cosmic Kids Book (for 7-11 year olds), by David Shaw (REYD, 2002, reissued 2006, 37 pages). A book of games and puzzles, with clues and answers linked to Unitarianism. Can be used for children who may turn up at a church service with no fixed programme, or where attendance by children is spasmodic. Copyright free for Unitarian-related activities.

Home and Away - £4.00
By Rev Jo-Ann Lane (E+TC, 2004, 51 pages). An adult educational programme in six sessions exploring the spirituality of place and pilgrimage, home and travel, roots and wings.

Ignition: a Programme for Young Adults in Unitarian Churches - £5.00
By Trevor Jones, revised by Helen Royall (E+TC, 2005, 54 pages). In nine sessions, Ignition provides a framework in which people can gain new insights into themselves, their church relationships and their beliefs. With notes for course leaders.

Spiritual Parenting - £3.00
By Mel Prideaux. (REYD, 2002, 23 pages). An adult educational programme in four sessions, it provides an opportunity for parents and other carers to share their experience of parenting in the broadest sense, and to develop an understanding of the spiritual development of children.

Spirituality in Everyday Life - £5.00
By Rev Jo-Ann Lane (E+TC, 2004, 79 pages).An adult educational programme in six sessions, it explores the way in which our everyday life enriches our spiritual search.

Titles for use with Children

Titles for Young Adults

Ignition

Adult Re titles

British Unitarian Journey

Building Your Own Theology - British version

Home and Away

Spirituality in Everyday Life

Spiritual Parenting

Celebrating Diversity

What is the Education and Training Commission up to? February 2010

Unitarian Chalice Award

During 2009 and early 2010, eight young people achieved the highest Chalice Award, the Gold Award.

Joanna Leigh, Sophie Jolley and Tilley Pugh from, Old Chapel Unitarians, Dukinfield. Their awards were presented by Dawn Buckle, Chair of the Education and Training Commission who is a member at Dukinfield.

Ellie Drainey, Emma Drainey and Lorna Brophy from Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel, Altrincham. Their awards were presented by Mary Wightman, President of the Women's League who is a member of the Chalice Award Panel.

Two young women from Williamson Memorial Unitarian Christian Church, Dundee will have their gold awards presented by GA President Rev Bob Wightman at the GA Meetings at Nottingham in April. Rev Bob is their minister.

Congratulations to all of these young people and the RE leaders in their congregations.

All those who successfully achieve the Gold award receive from the Commission, a Gold Blue John Chalice pendant or lapel badge and a gold certificate.

The Unitarian Chalice Award is a flexible, modular scheme in three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, for leaders of Sunday Schools , Junior Chapels or Youth Groups to use with their young people aged 6-14 years. Parents and guardians can adapt it for use with individual children. There is also a Green Award for younger children.

The Leaders Pack is available from Essex Hall price £10.00. The Green Award is £2.00.

For further information about the Award and to register, contact the Chalice Award Panel through Joan Hill, Tel: 01274 670 379 CLICK TO SEND JOAN A MESSAGE.

Engagement Support

Recent articles in The Inquirer described the success of the conference held in the autumn to promote the value of Engagement Groups in the spiritual life of congregations.

The Engagement Support Panel are keen to see intergenerational Bright Lights groups established in more congregations.

Engagement Groups can.

• foster 'right relationships'.
• create a sense of community
• deepen the spiritual life of participants
• strengthen connection to ones chapel/church

Contact the Engagement Support Panel:

Email: info@unitarianengagementgroups.org.uk

Website: www.unitarianengagementgroups.org.uk

Groups Working Well

After having successfully run a Facilitation Skills in Ministry day course for students at Unitarian College , Manchester , in the autumn, the panel is awaiting its incorporation into a strengthened Partnership Support Panel.

Hucklow Summer School

Hucklow Summer School is an annual summer school for personal and leadership development held at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow in August each year.

This year the dates are 21-28 August 2010

The theme is Speaking of God - Unitarian adventures in theology.

There will be:

Morning Talks on the theme led by Dr Mel Pideaux and Friends

A choice of Morning Engagement Groups:

Experiencing God led by Rev Margaret Kirk and Winnie Gordon

Exploring Prayer with Dr Jane Blackall and Dr Mel Prideaux

Icons: Windows to the Divine with Rev Linda Hart and Caroline Blair

Building Your Own Theology with Joyce Ashworth and Rev Maud Robinson

Applications are available from; www.hucklowsummerschool.org.uk and should be received by 1 April 2010 .

Further information is available from Mel Prideaux 01924 781 020 or email Jane Blackall on info@hucklowsummerschool.org.uk.

Joined Up Education

The panel run the national Worship Studies and Unitarian Studies Courses for lay people.

Change of Facilitator: Liz Shaw has stepped down and Winnie Gordon has taken over. Winnie can be contacted at 108 Selsey Road , Egbaston, Birmingham B17 8JS; Tel: 07908 888 196; CLICK TO SEND WINNIE A MESSAGE

The national Worship Studies Course Foundation Step is in full swing with eight students from across the country taking part. The course is based at Luther King House, home of Unitarian College , Manchester. A variety of ministers and lay leaders have enabled students to cover the Foundation Step syllabus including What is worship? Preparation and Precautions, Speech and Communication, Prayer, Sermons/addresses, Readings , Music, Storytelling.

The Midland Union is running an open Foundation Step Course throughout the summer. On Saturdays 22 May, 12 June, 10 July. For further details contact Sue Woolley, Tel: 01604 870 746; CLICK TO SEND SUE A MESSAGE

Publications

Over the years the E+TC has published a variety of books, leaflets and courses. These are available from Essex Hall. See the list of titles and prices on this webpage.

Religious Education Co-ordinators

Most districts have Religious Education Co-ordinators (RECs) who organise and promote RE for adults and young people in their districts. The Religious Education Co-ordinators Panel organises an annual conference for RECs and others involved in RE to share expertise and knowledge.

Margaret Robinson, the Convenor of the panel has established an RE online forum.

To contact Margaret Tel: 01642 782 219; CLICK TO SEND MARGARET A MESSAGE.

REvolution

REvolution is the E+TC's latest venture. It is a new, 12 month course to train leaders to work with children, young people and intergenerational groups. Students can choose which age strand to follow:

Children with Liz Hills and Lorna Hill

Young people with Rev John Harley and Mandy Richards

Intergenerational elements will be woven into both stands.

Other tutors include Dawn Buckle. Jean Mason and Margaret Robinson.

The course plans to REnew, REinvigorate, REstore, REconnect, REfresh, REjuvenate, REvive RE in our congregations.

The course will be launched at the GA Meetings in Nottingham in April.

The dates for the course are:

1st weekend 8-10 October 2010 at Nightingale Centre Great Hucklow

1st Saturday 8 January 2011

2nd Saturday 12 March 2011

3rd Saturday 14 May 2011

4th Saturday 16 January 2011

(Saturday venues to be decided depending on student travel.)

2 nd and Final weekend 7-9 October.2011 also at the Nightingale Centre

The cost will be £250 (excluding travel).

For further details contact the Administrator : Margaret Robinson Tel: 01642 782 219; CLICK TO SEND MARGARET A MESSAGE.

Support for Organisation Leadership

In September 2007 the Support for Organisational Leadership Panel published a handbook to help officers and committees of Unitarian congregations. It was called Help is at Hand and contained useful information to enable a chapel committee and/or trustees to improve their governance and operate efficiently. The handbook is now readable and downloadable by CLICKING HERE.

Some updating occurred in spring 2008 and the panel is collecting a list of items to incorporate in the next corrections and additions to Help is at Hand.