Faith Formation & Religious Education

The ministry of Faith Formation and structured programs of Religious Education are vital elements of thriving congregational life. Religious educators - both professional and lay - are key players in making religious education meaningful and effective. In an effort to support RE providers and programs, we offer:

  • OWL facilitator trainings
  • Religious Educator continuing education through Renaissance Modules
  • Additional workshops listed on the right-hand column of this webpage
  • Start-Up Workshops for new Directors of Religious Education with congregational leadership. A Start Up Workshop is designed to foster healthy working relationships between new or newly hired Directors and Ministers of Religious Education and the congregational committee that volunteers to work with them. They are generally held early in a new DRE's tenure, but may also be of help when a DRE's full-time / part-time status canges, or when other significant changes have happened in the congregation during a long-term DRE's tenure.  Start Up Workshops follow a standard format but are tailored to address the issues most affecting your congregation right now.  For more information or to schedule a DRE Start Up, contact the Director of Faith Formation, Karen Bellavance-Grace, kbellavancegrace [at] uua [dot] org.

Religious Education lending library

A lending library of RE curricula, DRE career development, and other support resouces is maintained at district offices. Visit, or request materials by email or phone to be mailed out to you. Visit CBD/MBD Resource Library for more details and a list of holdings.

Other resources for religious education professionals

  • Liberal Religious Education Directors Association (LREDA), the professional association of religious educators
  • LREDA North Atlantic Chapter, which provides networking and professional support for DREs and other religious professionals. For more information, contact Chapter Convener dre [at] uuframingham [dot] org (Julie Porter).


For more information resources for Religious Educators, please contact Director of Faith Formation, kbellavancegrace [at] uua [dot] org (Karen Bellavance-Grace).