UUSGM Network At GA WORKSHOP

"Circles of Reflection: Engaging Women in Justice Work" on Thursday, June 21, 10:30am, Room 227 AB, Sponsored by the UU Women's Federation and the UU Small Group Ministry Network.

Learn to use Small Group Ministry to engage women with immigration, racial, and economic justice issues as spiritual practice. This will include brief presentation and experience with social justice in Small Group Ministry format. There will also be a resource packet for participants. Presenters are Rev. Marti Keller, President of UUWF and Rev. Helen Zidowecki, President of UUSGMN

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY AND SOCIALJUSTICE publication available at GA

Table of Contents
*Small Group Ministry/Social Justice/Faith in Action
Background for Small Group
*Preparation for Social Justice Work
*Imminent Action
*Reflection on Action Taken
*Special Issues (such as Immigration, Racism, Care of the Earth

We have Social Justice session plans from about 10 congregations. We will accept session until May 14.

office@smallgroupministry.net

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT OF SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

There have been recent inquiries into how to Evaluate or Assess Small Group Ministry Programs. I prefer the concept of assessment, or looking as where we are against where we want to be. The basis for the review comes from our vision of Small Group Ministry in our congregations. The result is more "we are here", or program status, rather than we are doing well or badly. Whether we use "assessment" or "evaluation", there is a need for intentional review of the program at all levels.

There on the Network website, Online Resources, related to evaluation, including a composite of forms and tools submitted by congregations in 2006.

Following are several current resources for your consideration:
See the article in the current CGN from Eugene, OR, along with the following forms.
Evaluation Form for SGM Facilitators
Evaluation Form for SGM Participants

The Augusta, ME, congregation has focused on revisioning this year, including using Assessment: Group and Program

You are welcome to send us your thoughts and tools on assessment/evaluation. Helen Zidowecki

PUBLICATIONS UPDATE

The The April / May 2012 Covenant Group News has been emailed and is now online. It contains the following articles, in addition to Network information:

April / May:

• Letter from the Editor
• Myth #4: No Response or Interchange Should Be Allowed During a SGM Session
• Response and Exchange -- Rev. Helen Zidowecki, President, UU SGM Network
• Interchange or No Interchange by Loretta Carmickle, UUC Green Valley/Amado, AZ
• Small Group Ministry Evaluation Process at the UU Church in Eugene, OR - Richard A. Loescher
• A Note from Renee Brookfield, Brisbane UU Fellowship, Australia
• Request for Social Justice Themed Sessions for Use at General Assembly 2012

Subscribe now to get your copy as it is sent out. Issues are posted to the website when the subsequent issue is sent.

The Winter Quarterly is now on line. The SGM Quarterly is sent to Network members electronically or, if requested, via paper copy. The Spring 2012 edition has been sent, and includes the following articles:

• My First Covenant Group
• SGM - What We've Learned
• Deep Sharing and Listening Part II
• SGM at Lay-led Congregation

In keeping up with the newest technologies, we have added some new pages to Facebook. First is the Small Group Ministry Network group, in which people are encouraged to post their own thoughts and comments. Events and announcements will also be posted there.

Another group is the UU Small Group Ministry Lab, which is general discussion area to exchange ideas, resources and session content.

We have also started a blog, entitled Small Groups, Deep Connections, to help share older materials to a larger public as well as new articles and announcements. It is still being developed, and can be found here

See the Session Plans for more items.