SMALL GROUP MINISTRY AND GENERAL ASSESMBLY 2012
Connecting Small Group Ministry with the Social Justice Focus
office@smallgroupministry.net
Preparing for General Assembly 2012

Are you or have you created session plans for Small Group Ministry/Covenant Groups around Social Justice? Share them with the larger UU community through the UU Small Group Ministry Network.

We look forward to receiving your session plans.

For the last year, we've been focusing on making small group ministry available to more people by considering nine specific categories of individuals who might be underserved. What I've learned over this year is to be attentive to the needs of individuals in my congregation and to ask the questions: Are there barriers to participation in our small group ministry program? Can those barriers be overcome with a modification, like providing childcare or scheduling meetings at the church? Are there modifications leaders can make in individual groups to be more welcoming to people with disabilities and people who need extra care? In case you'd like to refer to one of the individual topics, here's a list of the individual articles and the main contributors, by month. All issues of CG News, back to Rev. Bob Hill's first issue in November 1998, are available on the UU SGM Network website. www.smallgroupministry.net.

This topic was launched in the fall issue of the UU SGM Quarterly, with an exploration of the myth that groups must dissolve after one church year. Actually, whether groups are time limited, ongoing, or a mix of the two is one of the many choices that congregations must make. After endorsing the basics of small group ministry, there are many other program decisions to be made, e.g., the number of meetings per month, the length of time for the groups, one or two facilitators, and whether verbal interaction is allowed or not during the topic part of the meeting. Often these choices are based on the goals the church has for its small group ministry program. At the UU SGM Network GA booth, we heard repeated sharings about problems resulting from one of these choices. Often, the church's program leaders had forgotten that it was a choice and thought their program decision was one of the basic elements and could not be changed. Our advice was to review the choice, keeping in mind the congregations mission and goals for small group ministry. I am just beginning to understand the role that congregational goals play. I hope we can explore this together over the coming months. Some of the possible topics, from the Fall Quarterly:

1. Groups Must Dissolve After One Year.
2. Only ministers can direct Small Group Ministry programs.
3. Facilitators Meetings are covenant groups for the facilitators/Facilitators Meetings don't work.
4. Groups grow larger than 10 members, then split.
5. Groups meet once a month/Groups meet twice a month.
6. Group meetings are cancelled when the facilitator is unable to attend.
7. If you can't arrive on time, don't attend the SGM meeting.
8. If you don't have anything to say or share, you don't belong in SGM.
9. No response to comments during topic sharing.
10. Significant changes to the program cannot be made without a complete restart.
11. Food is prohibited.
12. A service project doesn't count if there is not 100% participation.

Small Group Ministry started at UUCC 12 years ago. We felt the need to consider anew the role of Small Group Ministry within our congregation, including changes over the years in the congregation and in the Small Group Ministry model itself.

On Saturday September 17, 28 people gathered to explore Small Group Ministry at our church. With the help of expert facilitation provided by Peg and Tom Herbert of the Concord, New Hampshire Unitarian Universalist Church, we began by looking at what having this ministry provides to us individually and to our congregation. We created a broad vision. From there we looked at the basic elements that define Small Group Ministry. What makes it different from other aspects of church life?

Group participants, both current and past, had an opportunity to describe how their groups work and hear how each group is similar to other groups and yet unique. We all thought about how important small group ministry has been over the last 12 years and what we need and want for its future. Members of the Small Group Ministry Committee listened closely and will explore the information more fully as we move ahead with our task of enhancing the vibrancy of small group ministry. The food provided by two of our groups was the pinnacle of a very satisfying day.

Many of the contributions to our vision of Small Group Ministry focused on relationships and how they are 'broadened', strengthened' and 'deepened' by participation. We reflected that qualities of Small Group Ministry have permeated our church culture, most notably an increase in civility at committee and membership meetings since we began this practice. We noted that unlikely friendships have developed through group participation. We have become clearer about what being a Unitarian Universalist means to us and have learned to speak up about it in many settings. The opportunity to minister to one another through group participation is a gift for both giver and receiver. We are grateful for the ability and willingness of groups to welcome and integrate those who are new to our community. In a very brief time we identified a wealth of gifts available through Small Group Ministry.

After reviewing the basic elements of Small Group Ministry, we talked about how we might reinvigorate our practice. We looked at creating more connection between groups, encouraging groups to become involved in more service projects, offering group leaders opportunities to expand their vision and skill as they work with their groups and making Small Group Ministry even more available and accessible to those who are interested in participating. It is in these areas that the committee will be focusing in coming weeks.

We plan to recruit some new leaders for this ministry, and expect to begin some new groups. We will be offering training to group leaders in October. Our plan is to meet with all current leaders and those who want to join the leadership ranks. We will be launching new groups in January. The Small Group Ministry Committee and I look to the future with hope and enthusiasm.

Dear SGM Network Board members,

We've LIKED and appreciated every contact with you. We WISH UU's from TVUUC had been able to participate in the SGM Institute with you in California-and had brought new SGM members and facilitators. We'll be working on that for the future. Sunday, August 21^st, at TVUUC, we hosted a Small Group Ministry Introductory Group- a large gathering, then three break-out groups. During the preceding weeks, we staffed a SGM Information Table, kicked off by a July 14^th SGM service led by Jerry Bone's Tuesday morning SGM group.

Long term members and new or not-yet members of the church. signed up for the Intro groups. As a result we're beginning a new group with a pair of fine facilitators and replenishing standing groups. The signees are people with whom we talked at the Information Table and who have experienced an introductory session. Larkie Gildersleeve gave an excellent presentation using Susan Hollister's materials at the outset of the meeting.

The 2009 SGM Institute at The Mountain, Susan's gift of a weekend training here in the spring of 2010, and the SGM excitement at the 2011 GA have kept our batteries charged. Adhering to the model works. We've done that at TVUUC and the program is healthy. It sagged in the time after the shooting. The current SGM Committee members are a bunch of worker bees with a lively sense of humor and a keen appreciation of SGM.

The SGM committee, comprised of Larkie, Toni Powell, Linda Randolph, and me, will be in beautiful Belfast, Maine Wednesday, August 31^st to Wednesday, September 7^th as Linda's guests.

With fond memories, affection, and appreciation.

Hi Diana,

In Kamloops, a tiny congregation, we have two Sundays a month for a modified, and open, "chalice circle" format rather than a regular worship service.

The topics are often related to the service of the week before. We never know how many people will show up, but it's usually between 10 and 18, compared with maybe 25 to 35 on service Sundays. Whoever is there gets divided into groups of 5 to 7 people, with pre-chosen facilitators.

They begin with a whole-group welcome and chalice lighting; they finish with a whole-group closing, including a brief sharing of particular insights (anonymous) if any.

This has been happening for two church years now, and people seem to appreciate the time together. In a way that is less labour-intensive for them than regular services. It is rare to have a "new" person come to those Sundays, but it does happen.

I am the 1/4-time minister, and I live in a different city, so I'm almost never there for the CC's. I usually create or co-create the questions and assemble the readings etc.

Thanks for your good work!

Unitarian Universalist
Congregation at Shelter Rock
Small Group Ministry Workshop
Saturday, October 8, 2011
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE UUA METRO DISTRICT

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Current SGM facilitators (especially those who have been doing this for years)
- Anyone thinking about becoming a facilitator
- Anyone who wants to learn how SGM helps us grow spiritually while deepening our connections to others

Flier and Registration form

UU Small Group Ministry Retreat:
Program Development & Renewal with Peter Bowden
Friday - Sunday, October 14 - 16, 2011
U Bar U Retreat & Conference Center, San Antolnio

First UU San Antonio is proud to offer a weekend Small Group Ministry training with Peter Bowden, Unitarian Universalist Growth Consultant and co-founder of the UU Small Group Ministry Network. This training has been designed for clergy and lay leaders seeking to strengthen congregation-wide small group ministry programs. This program will cover the following core areas, as well as opportunities for worship, networking and hands on small group experience. See Events.

Small Groups, Big Returns

Rev. Helen Zidowecki, Leader
Enrich (or start) their Adult and Teen Small Group Ministry Programs.

Healing and Transformation in Small Groups
Saturday, October 29, 2011
9 AM to 4:30 PM
Registration, coffee and light breakfast starting at 8:30
Hosted by the First Unitarian Society of Newton
1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465
Rev. Dr. M'ellen Kennedy, Leader

WORKSHOP PURPOSE: In the past decade many congregations have adopted Small Group Ministry or Covenant Groups to address the needs of friendship and spiritual growth in our congregations. This workshop is aimed at facilitators who are eager to take the group experience to a higher level. The focus of our day will be exploring the question, "What leads to healing and transformation in small groups?"

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: The workshop is aimed primarily at facilitators who have some experience (preferably at least a year). It works very well to have in the mix a few inexperienced people (such as new facilitators or board members) who can learn from and be carried along by the more experienced members. So, a few inexperienced folks are welcome to participate with a prior okay from Rev. Kennedy.

See Events for more information and registration.

See Events for all events, more details and registration information.

NETWORK ONLINE      www.smallgroupministry.net
The source for session plans, networking opportunities, Small Group Ministry resources, news of events and workshops, membership renewal forms, and back issues of Covenant Group News and the SGM Quarterly.

For information on training opportunities see the Event Announcements

Order forms available from http://www.smallgroupministry.net

NEW! Small Group Ministry with All Ages, June 2011
Imagine a congregation where all ages are talking together. From its firm foundation in adult programming, Small Group Ministry is evolving to become an inclusive opportunity for all ages to connect, listen, reflect, and learn with each other. This publication explores small group ministry by age group and with mixed ages and presents ways for covenant groups to become an integral part of the momentum toward multigenerational congregations. Includes implementation strategies, session plan development, and sessions for single and multi-age groups.

NOW ON CD! Spiritual Journeys: 101 Session Plans for Small Group Ministry Programs
This exciting new book offers a wide range of original, ready-to-use sessions covering Spiritual Journeying, Personal Beliefs and Values, Spiritual Challenges, Holidays, Just for Fun, Being Human, and Special Use subjects for events that affect our lives. Themes are drawn from art, literature, UU liturgy and hymnals, current events, and religious scriptures.

Small Group Ministry 2010: Celebrating Congregations
The 2010 compilation celebrates the work of over 100 congregations that have contributed to the UU Small Group Ministry movement since 2004. There are profiles of contributing congregations, including when and how their program started, how many groups and participants they have, and their unique challenges and success stories.

To order any of the above publications or to get a list of all our publications:
http://www.smallgroupministry.net/forsale.html.

The UU Small Group Ministry Network is a grassroots organization of Unitarian Universalist congregations, ministers, small group ministry/covenant group leaders and participants.

Our mission is to help create healthy Unitarian Universalist congregations and a vital Unitarian Universalist movement by promoting and supporting Small Group Ministry.

The purpose of the Network is "to support small group ministry and related shared ministry models in Unitarian Universalist congregations through developing new resources, networking, and training opportunities."

In addition to the SGM Quarterly journal for members and the free, online Covenant Group News, we publish new resources for program coordinators and facilitators, sponsor a consultation booth and SGM workshops at General Assembly, offer a week-long SGM Summer Institute, help local leaders plan regional SGM conferences, and give workshops in congregations and districts across the nation.

The UU SGM Network is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supported solely by congregational and individual memberships, donations and publication sales revenue. Network Board members donate their time and personal resources to spread the good news of small group ministry.