WHAT IS SMALL GROUP MINISTRY ABOUT? In 1999, we began Small Group Ministry in our congregation. We believed it would offer us another path to realize our mission as a congregation and religious community. We know that a vibrant and vital religious community needs to provide resources in four areas:
WORSHIP: Small Group Ministry is not intended to replace, but to deepen worship, the shared experience at the heart of our congregation
LEARNING: Spiritual growth is the path toward knowing one's self better, growing in understanding of the world and pondering the age old questions of faith: how to live, what to believe, how to act, how to respond to the mysteries of life. Small Group Ministry provides an ongoing opportunity to address these questions in the company of other searchers.
COMMUNITY: Small Group Ministry meets the need for connection and intimacy that is both a deep yearning in our society and essential to the ongoing life of a religious community.
SERVICE: We offer service as a grateful response to life's blessings. Small Group Ministry offers opportunities to serve our congregation and the wider community through projects large and small.
WHY CALL IT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY? We at Unitarian Universalist Community Church envision the ministry of the congregation as being widely shared. The called and settled minister has a major role, certainly. So does the ministry of the laity. Ministry in our congregation is the work of the whole community. Small Group Ministry is one among many opportunities to care for others and to be cared about as well.
HOW OFTEN DO GROUPS MEET? Each group develops its own schedule; the most common pattern is to meet twice a month on a first and third or second and fourth week schedule. That makes scheduling easier and allows a three-week interval from time to time. Some groups choose every other week, every third week or once a month. Groups tend to meet less often through the summer and over holidays. The regular meetings are an important component of the intimacy, fellowship and growth which participants experience through their groups.
WHERE DO THE GROUPS MEET? Each group decides whether to meet primarily in member's homes or at the church. Some groups alternate with our alternating seasons.
HOW LONG DO MEETINGS LAST? Sessions are designed to be two hours long, and by common consent most groups are respectful of the time.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A SMALL GROUP MINISTRY SESSION? The ministry group meetings are focused by a collection of Session Plans developed within our congregation. Topics include religious histories, spiritual practices, loneliness, fear, poetry, music and healing. Groups may choose their own order, direction and pace. The Session Plans are simple:
Opening Words: Gather people in, help settle folks down, serve to remind participants of the special opportunity of the gathering, and often reflect the topic of the evening. Some groups will light a Chalice, as well.
Check-in: Participants share news of what has been happening in their lives. Each group develops its own customs as to the length of sharing or how to respond. This portion of the meeting may expand from time to time when circumstances call for it.
Topic/Discussion: A paragraph or two lays out a topic and presents questions that will elicit thoughtful discussion and significant reflection. A group may stay with a topic several weeks or be done in one meeting.
Likes and Wishes: This is a positive format for feedback. Not every group will include this every time.
Closing Words: This brings the formal session to an end. Groups are encouraged to start and end on time.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A SMALL GROUP MINISTRY PARTICIPANT? Participants should bring a positive attitude, as well as a willingness to share and grow. An important expectation that members have for one another is to give the meetings high priority. There are two covenants that guide group participation. One is developed within the group by the members and describes the expectations that members have of one another. The other is between the group and the larger church community. Members are expected to keep their groups connected to the church through service.
WHAT DOES THE FACILITATOR DO? Small Group Ministry facilitators support the life of the group. They take initiative or ask another member to: make sure the group begins and ends on time, remind people of the next meeting, and contact members who miss a meeting.
They, or someone they ask, read from the session plan and guide the discussion. They stay in touch with the Small Group Ministry Coordinator and the Small Group Ministry Steering Committee, to maintain a connection with the congregation
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SMALL GROUP MINISTERY COORDINATOR? The coordinator oversees this ministry of the congregation. She promotes Small Group Ministry so newcomers to the church know that it is available and what it does. She recruits and trains facilitators and meets with them for counsel and guidance. She connects interested individuals to groups that meet the scheduling needs of the potential new member. The Small Group Ministry Coordinator meets regularly with the staff of the church to assure that this ministry continues to further the goals of the congregation.
WHO WILL KNOW WHAT I SAY? There is an expectation of confidentiality within groups. The level of comfort around confidentiality will vary within groups; participants are encouraged to review this expectation from time to time and to renew their covenant in regard to this. When there are significant pastoral concerns, a Facilitator may ask if they can share that concern with the minister.
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF SMALL GROUP MINISTRY? The Small Group Ministry Coordinator is the most visible face directing this ministry, but she is not alone. There is a Steering Committee that meets with the Coordinator to explore what we can do now so that the program will be a strong part of our congregation
into the future. Group members bring feedback to the Coordinator to help guide and shape Small Group Ministry. Our hope is to evolve as the congregation changes so that Small Group Ministry will remain vital.
IS SMALL GROUP MINISTRY THERAPY? No, it is not. While participants in our groups often report feeling better connected and more satisfied in their lives, Small Group Ministry is not therapy. We offer connection, reflection and spiritual growth.
HOW DOES THE IDEA OF SERVICE FIT IN? From the beginning of our planning, the idea of service has been woven into the fabric of Small Group Ministry. We ask that every Group, over time, take on some kind of service in the church or in the wider community. Past years have seen groups leading fund raising events during the church year, helping with painting in our buildings or adopting a family in need during the Christmas season. Service beyond the group is important for two reasons. First, it helps to offset the natural tendency of small, intimate groups to become self absorbed and disconnected from those outside the group. Second, because a necessary aspect of a growing spiritual life, a life of faith, is service.
HOW DOES SMALL GROUP MINISTRY GROW? In our original vision for Small Group Ministry, taken from successful evangelical programs, groups would grow to twelve or so, and then split, with the facilitator taking one group and an apprentice facilitator taking the other. This has not worked for us; once groups feel connected they do not want to split. However, as the circumstances of people's lives change, they may choose to leave their group. While it is sad to say goodbye, new members are warmly welcomed and expand the circle of connection. Vacancies are filled by the Small Group Ministry Coordinator with an eye to serving the overall vision of Small Group Ministry.
HOW DOES A PERSON FIND OUT MORE OR JOIN A GROUP? For more information contact Coordinator Kathy Kellison at dehaana@fairpoint.net, 445-4415(h) or 622-4774(w); Rev. Carie Johnson at 622-3663 or revcariejohnsen@gmail.com or the Church Administrator at 622-3232 or admin@augustauu.org.