Educational print Cook Ann Thompson Made In God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue About the Church and Gender Differences madeingods.gif Washington, DC Dumbarton United Methodist Church/Reconciling Ministries Network 2003 24 pp. Ann Thompson Cook communicates a gently assertive expectation that we as Christians need to get up to speed on something too rarely discussed but very important for the life of the church and its ministries. Combining valuable information, personal sharing, and resources, this booklet is a perfect starting place for any congregation, family, or individual seeking to better understand transgender issues and to provide a supportive environment for all of God's children. http://www.madeinimage.org/ _blank print Osterman Mary Jo editor Claiming the Promise: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible Study Resource on Homosexuality claiming.gif UMC Reconciling Congregation Program 1998 A 7-session Bible study curriculum on homosexuality; discusses biblical authority, interpretation, "gracious hospitality", "Gift-ed sexuality", spirituality, right relationships, ethics and discipleship.

Open and Affirming (ONA) Study Packet, [Cleveland: United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns, 1997; 10 pockets.].

A seven-session study packet for use in local congregations. Prepared by the Open and Affirming Task Team of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, and the UCC Coalition. Materials on sexual orientation, youth issues (video included), family and relationships, heterosexism, homophobia, scriptural interpretation, the ONA process in the local church, and more. This packet includes both the Bisexuality Pocket and the Transgender Pocket (also available separately). https://s.p3.hostingprod.com/@www.rmnetwork.org/ssl/order/order.html _blank print Lutherans Concerned/North America RIC Shared Congregational Conversation Around Homosexuality shconcon.gif Saint Paul Lutherans Concerned/North America 2000 40 pp. This 6 session adult education course for discussing a difficult topic was developed by the Lutherans Concerned Reconciling In Christ program. http://infox.lcna.org _blank online editors Same Gender Marriage: A Study Guide for Youth Groups and Campus Ministries Prepared by the Youth and Young Adult Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns http://www.ucccoalition.org/organizing/marriage/buypacket.html _blank print Harris Robie H. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health 10th anniversary perfectlynormal.jpg Cambridge, MA Candlewick Press 2004 96 pp. 0763624330 It's Perfectly Normal - for preteens and teens age 10 and up - provides accurate, unbiased answers to nearly every conceivable question, from conception and puberty to birth control and AIDS.

This book is available in Spanish (Sexo... Que Es?) and in over twenty-five languages. http://www.amazon.com/Its-Perfectly-Normal-Changing-Growing/dp/0763624330/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198172029&sr=8-1 _blank print UCC and UUA Members Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education Curricula and Sexuality and Our Faith: A Companion to Our Whole Lives ourwholelives.jpg Cleveland United Church of Christ and Unitarian University Association 2000

Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education programs for four age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. Written by professional sexuality educators, the programs provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to use with children and young people to help them learn about sexuality in the affirming and supportive setting of our churches.

The resources are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. There is a Parent Guide to Our Whole Lives Grades K-1 and Grades 4-6 that accompanies the Our Whole Lives resource for those age levels. Our Whole Lives Grades 4-6 also uses the book, It's Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris.

Sexuality and Our Faith, written by United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist Association members, is the accompanying resource used for each of the grade groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12 in the church setting. Each of the grade level resources has separate sections devoted to UCC and UUA faith traditions. By using Sexuality and Our Faith, leaders integrate worship, prayer and discussion of United Church of Christ faith values and principles into the programs for each age group.

The Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health and Justice is a resource that helps readers advocate for comprehensive sexuality education in their churches and communities.

Our Whole Lives, together with Sexuality and Our Faith, helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality.

Each level of Our Whole Lives and Sexuality and Our Faith offers:

  • A well-designed, teacher-friendly leader's guide
  • Trained leaders
  • Parent orientation programs that engage parents in the sexuality education of their children
  • United Church of Christ materials incorporating worship and religious values into the program
  • Up-to-date information and candid answers to all participants' questions
  • Activities to help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
  • Effective group-building to create a safe and supportive peer environment
  • Education about sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment
  • Opportunities to critique media messages about gender and sexuality
  • Acceptance of diversity
  • Encouragement to act for justice
 http://www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality_education/our-whole-lives.html _blank print United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns Youth and Young Adult Program Same Gender Marriage: A Study Guide for Youth Groups and Campus Ministries Cleveland United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns 2004 Prepared by the Youth and Young Adult Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns http://www.ucccoalition.org/resources/yya.html _blank print Cook Ann Thompson And God Loves Each One: A Resource for Dialogue About Sexual Orientation andgodloves.jpg Washington, DC Dumbarton United Methodist Church/Reconciling Ministries Network 2003 20 pp. And God Loves Each One is more than just a book; it's a catalyst for a new dialogue about sexual orientation in churches and communities. It offers a path for people who wonder about sexual orientation, who wonder about the religious view that it's wrong to be gay. It's about lighting a spark of learning in your church and community. It's about growing and bringing gay and straight people together-united by their profound faith that God indeed loves each one. Read it and start a dialogue. Share it, give it away, and tell your own story. Make And God Loves Each One the basis for making a difference in your church and community! Available in Spanish. http://www.godloveseachone.org/ _blank