WHAT IS SMALL GROUP MINISTRY?
The program provides an opportunity to establish new and deeper relationships with one another and to find a place to enrich our religious exploration and growth. Small Group Ministry is an addition to our already existing groups and does not replace them.
HOW ARE GROUPS STRUCTURED?
Groups of six to ten members are formed according to mutual meeting time. Each group develops a covenant to guide how they are in relationship with each other. Meeting twice monthly, these groups are guided by a facilitator and a co-facilitator for 2-hour sessions in the homes of group members or at the UUFA.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PARTICIPANTS?
Participants are expected to come with open minds, open hearts, and a willingness to take part in a service project for the fellowship or the greater community together with the group. We ask that members make a commitment to attend the meetings as much as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS AT AN SGM MEETING?
Group sessions follow a standard format. Topics include religious histories, spiritual practices, loneliness, fear, poetry, music, healing, joy, and love, to name a few.
Sessions include:
Opening reading: To focus participants on the purpose of the gathering and often to reflect the topic of the evening. Some groups will light a Chalice as well.
Check In: An opportunity for each member to share thoughts or feelings on his or her life.
Topic/Discussion: A paragraph or two lays out a topic and presents questions that will elicit sharing and thoughtful discussion.
Likes and Wishes: An opportunity for members to share something that they gained from the discussion or wish for future discussions.
Closing Words: This brings the session to an end. Groups are encouraged to start and end on time.
HOW DOES THE IDEA OF SERVICE FIT IN?
We ask that every group take on some kind of service at the UUFA or in the greater community. This might be signing up to do coffee hour for a month, lending a hand in the fellowship office, or helping a group such as Interfaith Hospitality Council, etc.
HOW LONG WILL I BE IN A GROUP?
We ask individuals to commit to attend a group for at least 6 months. Groups commit to meet for one year. In the fall all SGM members are given the opportunity to be placed in a different group or to remain in their current groups.
HOW ARE NEW GROUPS FORMED? We form new groups when existing groups are full and more people become interested in joining a group or new people join the fellowship. As groups are formed, experienced group members may be asked to volunteer to become facilitators for the new groups. The Fall Open Enrollment period is an additional opportunity for new participants to join a group. During this period current members may request moving to a new time, staying in their present group, or leaving the SGM program.
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT SGM,
Contact Michelle Leebens-Mack at leebensmack@hotmail.com.
Download registration form.pdf
The SGM Executive Committee includes Michelle Leebens-Mack, chair, John Schell, Susan Curtis, Lisa Brown, Richard Gottlieb, Kelly and Andy Case-Simonson, and Rev. Alison Eskildsen.
