Multigenerational Ministry
- Intergenerational Faith Formation from Lifelong Faith Associates—LifelongFaith Associates seek to help leaders and congregations in discovering the vision of an intergenerational church and guiding them in envisioning and designing projects and initiatives to become more intentionally intergenerational in church life, ministries, and faith formation. The Intergenerational Faith website is designed to provide you with Research Reports, articles on Principles & Practices, Case Studies & Audio Interviews of Leaders, Planning Tools, and Foundational Books.
- Generations Together Blog—Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.
- Search Institute Developmental Relationships Research—The Search Institute’s newest research-to-practice initiative focuses on studying and strengthening the developmental relationships that help young people succeed. A developmental relationship helps young people attain the psychological and social skills that are essential for success in education and in life. Young people can form these relationships with their parents and family members, with their friends and peers, with staff members in their schools and programs, and with caring adults in their neighborhoods and communities.
Community Building
- Sourcebook of Intergenerational Activities (PDF)—This downloadable sourcebook captures the best of what has been developed over the years and is rich with concrete exercises designed to break the ice and begin bringing the generations together. It’s practical and as accessible to first timers as it is to seasoned pros.
- From the Penn State Intergenerational Program (PSIP)—Discover a collection of activities for educators, human and community service professionals, and families interested in facilitating intergenerational understanding and cooperation.
- The Legacy Project—Relationships across generations make us feel connected. They make us feel connected not only to each other, but to something bigger—to the flow of life, to the past and to the future. In this hectic, high-tech world, we need this sense of connection.
- Benefits of Intergenerational Play—Generations United. Play is Forever—the benefits of intergenerational play.
Faith Development/Learning
- Tapestry of Faith multigenerational programs:
- Multigenerational Book Discussion Guide—Muhammad: The Story of a Prophet and Reformer by Sarah Conover and discussion and reflection guide
- Full Week Faith Website—Karen Bellavance-Grace. Full Week Faith is the result of Karen’s year exploring as the Fahs Fellow for Innovation in Multigenerational Faith Formation.
Leadership Development
- Read Rev. Renee Ruchotzke's post Sunrise, Sunset: Generational Trends in Stewardship from the Growing Vital Leaders blog.
- Kim Debus’ blog “Talkin’ bout Your Generation: Leading The Way”—August 3, 2011
- The Multigenerational Congregation by Gil Rendle—Congregations need to learn new cultural languages and practices in order to speak to and be heard by new generations of people. But how do congregations enter the wilderness of ministry with these new generations when many of those in the entourage do not appreciate the trip?
- 9 ways to bridge generation gaps by The NonProfit Times—October 10, 2012
Social Action
- Creating Justice Together: Service Projects for Families and Multigenerational Groups —Susan Lawrence
- Standing on the Side of Love Website—Standing on the Side of Love, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness loves’ power to stop oppression.
Stewardship
- Giving Speaks blog on ideas for multigenerational worship—Laurel Amabile
- Kim Debus’ blog “Talkin’ bout Your Generation: Getting Them to Give”—July 23, 2011
Worship
Books
- Story, Song and Spirit: Fun and Creative Worship Services for All Ages by Erika Hewitt. Boston, MA: Skinner House, 2010.
- A Good Telling: Bringing Worship to Life with Story by Kristin Meier. Boston, MA: Skinner House, 2013.
- Tending the Flame: The Art of Unitarian Universalist Parenting by Michelle Roberts. Boston, MA: Skinner House, 2010.
- Worship That Works: Theory and Practice for Unitarian Universalists by Wayne B. Arnason, Kathleen Rolenz and Nancy McDonald Ladd. Boston, MA: Skinner House, 2017.
- Sparks of Wonder: Theme-Based Ministry for the Whole Congregation by Becky Brooks, Erika Hewitt. Boston, MA: Skinner House, 2019.
Websites and Blogs
- Creating Effective Intergenerational Worship Services Website—Rev. Greg Ward. Includes complete scripts for multigenerational worship services.
- Phil Lund & Mid-America staff group, "Ten Good Ideas About Multigenerational Worship"
- Multigenerational worship on Worship Web
Webinars and Workshops
- CERG Multigenerational Worship Webinar Video—March 2014
- A Family Under One Sky: Ministry Across the Generations GA 2009
Is your congregation using multigenerational ministry? How has it made a difference in your setting? How have congregants, families, or staff groups been changed through multigenerational ministry? Share your story by emailing religiouseducation@uua.org.
Creating Justice Together Service Projects for Families and Multigenerational Groups
From inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop
This book belongs to the Tapestry of Faith Toolkit Series provided by the UUA Faith Development Office. Toolkit Books provide background knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance to program and lead UU faith development and to help us explore and live our faith in our congregations,...