Covenant Groups

These small groups (maximum of 12 members) provide opportunities for deeper connection with one another and a place for religious connection and spiritual growth within our UUSIC community. Topics explored recently in their monthly meetings include worship, living simply, what we love, poetry, karma and loneliness.

Currently we have four groups serving about 54 members. Our groups are currently at capacity and we are looking forward to regrouping and adding more groups in the fall.

Members have supported each other through serious illness and death of family members, and shared their spiritual growth with one another. They have hosted a fund-raising party and a dinner for Nigerians on the University campus for special training in the use of computers--a program originated and headed by a member of the Society.

The Covenant Group program opened in April 2002 with the goal of using lay ministry through small groups to provide our spiritual community opportunities for deeper connections with one another and a place for religious connection and spiritual growth.

Groups meet monthly and are facilitated by members recruited and trained by the minister, who works with these facilitators to guide and coordinate the program in monthly facilitator meetings.

We are excited about the vital role that Covenant Groups have come to play in the church community. Besides expanding the number of groups next year, facilitators are also interested in developing more formal training and a handbook for new facilitators.

Introduction:

Covenant Groups are a form of small group ministry.  Covenant Groups give their members an opportunity to discuss philosophical and spiritual topics in an environment of maturity and acceptance. The groups also provide periodic chances to give back to the community or the congregation through small service projects.

Membership in a Covenant Group helps to strengthen relationships within our congregation and can help people feel a sense of belonging without becoming a clique or fostering an “us vs. them” mentality.  Covenant Groups promote a healthy congregation by giving people practice in truly listening to and accepting others’ points of view, while feeling safe and accepted in expressing their own.

Covenant Groups meet once a month for about 90 minutes to discuss and members are asked to try to attend regularly during thier six month commitment.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to make new friends in our church community.

Goals for Covenant Groups at UUSIC:

·  Draw us into mutual ministry.

·  Strengthen our congregation.

·  Deepen our understanding of Unitarian-Universalist principles and values.

·  Continuously develop lay leadership.

·  Challenge us to action and spiritual growth.

·  Express our principles and values in the community.

·  Help members identify their own calling and expression of lay ministry.