In my ministry, I strive to serve all in the congregation through the support of engaging religious education programs for children, youth, adults and elders. As a prior Director of Religious Education, I am strongly influenced by Sophia Lyon Fahs’ philosophy of Religious Education. She held that the purpose of religious education was to nurture the “unfolding of the soul and the blossoming of the person” rather than the pouring of static information into the minds of people.
Over the years I have taught Religious Education for a variety of ages. I have an interest in Youth Ministry in particular, having been deeply involved in UU youth leadership as a teenager. In the role of youth leadership, I represented the Southwest district of the UUA on the YRUU Youth Council and Steering Committee. This included traveling around the US to train others how to start and support youth programs in their congregations and districts.
Later, I was a leader in Young Adult Ministry. As an adult, I taught many adult Religious Education classes. In the years that followed, I became certified as an Our Whole Lives (OWL) facilitator for children and youth — from ages Kindergarten through High School.
I have led many workshops. Here is a sampling of topics taught:
- Lay-Led Worship
- Anti-Racism
- Art as Spiritual Practice
- Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.)
- What Moves Us from UUA Tapestry of Faith
I believe all of congregational life is religious education. My role as a parish minister is to support the religious education program, staff, and volunteers. Ministry for all-ages involves all aspects of congregational life. This involves direct collaboration with the DRE, religious education leadership, parents, and volunteers to build religious education programming that support a variety of learning styles, interests, perspectives, and ages.
Rev. Christina Branum-Martin 