EVENTS - Brief listings

The following are events either we are tracking the planning of but do not have full details for, or are part of larger district conferences. Please visit again to learn more, or subscribe to our e-newsletter, Covenant Group News, to get future updates.

• District Events
  Looking for an event in your area? See if your district is holding a small group ministry workshop during its next conference. You may look up your district website here.
  
  

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Network workshop is “Strategies and Solutions for Small Group Ministry Challenges” with a focus “extra grace needed” participants and hidden cultural biases that impact small group ministry sessions. CALL for Your experiences will the possibility of sharing in the workshop and articles for the General Assembly Quarterly. Please e-mail us at office@smallgroupministry.net immediately. We look forward to receiving you input.

Small Group Ministry Institute
August 17 - August 22, 2008
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Centers, Inc.
The Highlands, North Carolina

An opportunity for teams and individuals from congregations of all sizes to learn and practice Small Group Ministry (SGM) with experienced practitioners and leaders. Sessions are designed for new and experienced program organizers, facilitators, ministers and congregational leaders. The week will include presentations, hands-on workshops, small group ministry experiences, sharing, networking, informal 'porch chats, worship - and time to enjoy what The Mountain has to offer!

Details and Registration

“Building and Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program”
With Rev. M’ellen Kennedy

This all day workshop will be offered multiple times At the following dates and locations in the fall:

• Saturday, September 20, 2008
  Hosted by the Unitarian Society of New Haven, CT
  
  
• Saturday, September 27, 2008
  Hosted by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, NY
  
  
• Saturday, October Date TBA, 2008
  Hosted by All Souls Church, Greenfield, MA

Many Unitarian Universalist congregations are trying Small Group Ministry (or Covenant Groups) as a way to strengthen congregations. This workshop is for lay and professional leaders who are 1) beginning a Small Group Ministry Program or 2) who are in an existing programs in need of revitalization and/or 3) who are seeking inspiration and ideas on how to expand and grow an existing program. The following topics will be covered: the power and purpose of Small Group Ministry; the essential components of a strong Small Group Ministry program; addressing common challenges in an SGM program; developing shared leadership within a small group; handling group difficulties; and a hands-on experience in an actual small group.

Leader: Rev. Dr. M'ellen Kennedy is a Small Group Ministry Consultant. She is a UU community minister and community psychologist. who has been working with lay-led small groups for over 20 years. She has offered facilitator training to hundreds of lay and professionals leaders.

Following is a comment from an attendees at this workshop which was offered at First Congregational Unitarian Church, Concord, NH, Fall 2007. “The workshop was utterly amazing – informative, helpful, and inspiring! I am so grateful to you for offering the workshop, and look forward to spreading the word and the concepts. SGM has such great potential to strengthen, and deepen, the relationships and spirituality in our congregation. Thank you, thank you, many times over.”

Registration and Cost: The registration cost. which includes lunch, is from $35 to $40 per person. For more info contact Rev. M’ellen Kennedy at mellenken@aol.com

Event Reports

This workshop is aimed at lay and professional leaders working with functioning SGM programs -- that is programs that have been in existence for at least a year. It will be an opportunity to gather for mutual support, in depth sharing and advanced training. Registrants will be asked to bring materials to share from the successes and challenges of their programs. This program is being organized by the NH/VT Small Group Ministry Committee.

REPORT: On Saturday, February 23. Fifteen lay and professional leaders from eight congregations relished in the opportunity for an all day advanced training. They loved being together, learning from each other and sharing an actual SGM experience.

Small Group Ministry: Building and Strengthening Programs
Saturday, March 1, 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Main Line Unitarian Church, Devon, Pennsylvania

The Joseph Priestley District and Main Line Unitarian Church are pleased to offer this workshop for congregations starting new Small Group Ministry/Covenant Group programs and those with established programs. Conference leaders are Rev. Helen Zidowecki and Diana Dorroh of the UU Small Group Ministry Network. The workshop will cover essential elements of small group ministry, start-up basics, facilitator training, strengthening existing programs, and advanced facilitator skills. This conference is designed for program coordinators, ministers, and new and experienced facilitators.

The Small Group Ministry (SGM) movement is continuing to grow in Unitarian Universalist Churches as groups of ten gather with a facilitator to consider issues of spirituality, life stories and challenges. Small Group Ministry strengthens congregations by building connections among individuals, engendering compassion and supporting commitment to serve. Whether you are considering starting SGM or have an established program, join us for a full day of training and inspiration to further your efforts in SGM. A special focus will be on developing skills of current facilitators.

Diana Dorroh, Program Director and Rev. Steve Crump have led the Baton Rouge Program since it’s beginning in 1999. She participated in several workshops organized by Rev. Bob Hill. Her special interest is in using small group ministry to strengthen and grow congregations. She currently serves as volunteer staff at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge. Diane is President of the Small Group Ministry Network Board.

Rev. Helen Zidowecki has been involved with Small Group Ministry for 10 years in Maine and in the Augusta congregation, where she is a facilitator and on the Topic Committee. Her special interest is Small Group Ministry in Lifespan Faith Development, and as a process in changing congregations. She was the Program Consultant for the Northeast District until July 2007. Helen resides in Litchfield, ME.

REPORT: Fifty-six participants from sixteen congregations in the Joseph Priestley District shared the experiences and excitement of small group ministry and covenant groups as they moved through logistics related to emerging and existing programs.

Gathering the Power of Small Group Ministry

Day 1: March 8 at Allen Avenue UU Church, 524 Allen Avenue, Portland, Maine

Day 2: March 15 at First Universalist Church, 9 Easy Street, Pittsfield, Maine

9 AM to 1 PM each day, before Lunch

Congregations that have Small Group Ministry and those considering starting Congregational Leaders, Ministers, Coordinators, Facilitators Bring a team!

Sessions by Interest.

1.“Starting Small Group Ministry Program in Your Church” Rev. Helen Zidowecki, Augusta, ME

2.“Facilitators—New and Experienced” Carol Hayden, Allen Avenue, Portland, ME

3.“Questions and Answers for Ministers, Coordinators, Steering Committee Members” Kathy Kellison, Augusta, ME

This program is sponsored by the Northeast District Small Group Ministry Network.

For more information contact: Helen Zidowecki, 207-582-5308, hzmre@hzmre.com or Joy Blanchette, UU District Office, 603-228-8704, uua-me.nh.vt@comcast.net

REPORT: Unfortunately, a series of weather situations and illness prevented these sessions from occurring. However, there has been follow-up with congregations who had expressed interest.