Praxis

I have often heard the word "praxis" used, and I had a general but vague sense of it's meaning, but then I read this great passage by Richard Gilbert, the former minister of Rochester Unitarian Church, and it finally really made sense.

"It is my conviction" says Gilbert, " that every Unitarian Universalist, from youngest to oldest, ought to understand that social justice work is as integral to the religious life as spiritual growth. I believe one of our major religious education tasks in the twenty-first century is helping people transform their beliefs and values into effective and meaningful action in the world - a process that has been called praxis."

So praxis it appears is the fulcrum of transformation. In recent weeks I have been reading a lot of curricula in preparation for the new church year. Praxis is an element that I search for in every new curricula. My question is how will this curriculum help our children live their religion? The new Tapestry of Faith curricula seem to take this question and run with it. I love the Faith In Action sections of each lesson, and will encourage the teachers in my program to use them whenever possible.

For Discussion: If anyone is reading this, please share a story of how you have taken a value or a lesson and transformed it into an action or behavior that was effective. I'd love to store up some ideas to create fertile ground for our children and youth.