Teologando Abuelita-mente (Abuelita Theology): A Participatory Action Research (PAR) Methodology of the Classroom

This paper presentation explores Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology in a creative undergraduate course titled *Abuelita Theology* (Grandma Theology). This course integrates sources from U.S. Latina/x and Mujerista theologies and uses *Abuelita Theology* as a metaphor for understanding grassroots wisdom and everyday practices (lo cotidiano) as a theological source. In this course, students are active participants who learn and create new knowledge. In addition, students are encouraged to correlate the class sources with their own lived experiences, social locations, and faith identities as a liberatory practice. This presentation will provide examples of a creative participatory and reflective action practice (praxis) of storytelling used within the course. By Engaging the people as active participants, as they articulate and reflect theologically on their practices, we can reimagine and bring new insights and action to practical theology, the church, and the larger community in the twenty-first century.