Visioning Religious Education for Transescent Youth
Religious education in our congregations has been in transition for many years, and current research shows the more attractive and successful programs involve re-visioning the curricula and pedagogy for the age group called transescents: This age group includes children who are moving from elementary school, 5th grade or so, up to and including the 6th, 7th, and even 8th grades. This age group sees the most attrition as many choose to exit Sunday School and other youth programs. This Cohort focuses on the latest methods and strategies aimed at not only keeping transescents in our religious education programs, but also attracting more to our congregations. Join us on this innovative and creative journey as we share insights that are leading us into the future of educational ministries.
1. Part 1- Understanding Transescents: 21st Century Educational strategies and pedagogies that attract, engage and challenge “middle level” learners
1. Part 2- Rewriting Curricula for Religious Education programs in congregational settings: Sunday School and beyond
1. Part 3- Putting theory into action: Ways of reworking transescent programming in Your Unique Contexts
Cohort created and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Bryan Demerette
Rev. Dr. Bryan Allen Demeritte has served as religious education director and as a pastor in both the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association for nearly three decades. Bryan has served as a parish pastor and a public school teacher and administrator. He brings a vast amount of experience from various educational contexts, both secular and sacred.
He has a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and a PhD in Practical Theology. His dissertation focused on transescent education and the concept of giftedness in theological formation. He is presently serving a Unitarian Universalist congregation while teaching as adjunct faculty at multiple seminaries.
Ministry Cohorts
Ministry Cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your own time. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and your Cohort members gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced church leader.
Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.
Completion of this Ministry Cohort provides 9 contact hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the participant's credentialing body.
