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Event CalendarBelow are listings for workshops, trainings, and conferences on Unitarian Universalist small group ministry & covenant groups. If you have an event to list, please send details to EVENTS - Brief listingsFollowing are events that are being planned by or have come to the attention of the Network. We encourage congregations, districts, and consultants to send us information regarding their educational programs. This gives a picture of the scope of opportunities available and presents ideas for development of events. The Upcoming Events are presented from the earliest to the latest. The Previous Events & Reports go from the latest to the earlier ones. UPCOMING EVENTSNEW CONFERENCE
Small Group Ministry or Covenant Groups are a powerful approach for making our congregations more vibrant, dynamic and healthy. The groups provide an opportunity for members to building friendships and explore spiritual topics. One of the keys to creating and maintaining strong groups is skillful facilitation. The UU Church of Manchester is pleased to host this brand new workshop for aspiring and current group facilitators of Small Group Ministry (SGM) or Covenant Groups. The workshop is tailored to the needs and concerns of group facilitators, both new and experienced. In the course of the day we’ll cover the following: an overview of SGM, building your confidence as a facilitator, listening, the values and assumptions underlying effective facilitation, preventing and addressing group problems, and additional resources for facilitators. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in two actual group experiences focused on topics of concern for developing facilitators. The workshop leader is Rev. Dr. M’ellen Kennedy, a Small Group Ministry Consultant and co-founder of the SGM Network. She is a UU community minister and community psychologist who has been working with lay-led small groups for over 25 years. She has offered facilitator training to hundreds of lay and professional leaders and feedback on her workshops has been excellent. The following is a quote from a participant at a workshop offered by Rev. Kennedy in New Hampshire last year. The Network at General Assembly! General Assembly is one of the most exciting times for the UU Small Group Ministry Network. We – Network members and others -- have an opportunity to share what Small Group Ministry and Covenant Groups mean to us and to our congregations. There is so much to say about what we have been doing as well as our hopes and visions. Together, we move Small Group Ministry and Covenant Groups forward. See you at GA in Salt Lake City, June 24-28, 2009!
WORKSHOP # 3020 - Facilitator Training: The Key to Small Group Ministry Success
BOOTH # 430 - Exhibit Hall, Salt Palace Convention Center ANNUAL MEETING - Saturday, June 27, 12:00 - 1:00 PM Meeting
Sunday, August 16 to Friday, August 21, 2009 The Mountain, Highlands, NC UU Small Group Ministry Institute 2009 Several congregations are planning on sending teams of people involved in their Small Group Ministry programs to The Mountain conference. Congregations have found it helpful for more than one person to attend: there are more opportunities available to congregations; integrating the learnings from the conference may become clearer with the discussion; planning for ‘going home’ may be done while the energy and information from the conference is fresh. The 2009 Institute incorporates the varied ways that Small Group Ministry/Covenant Groups enhance our congregations and Unitarian Universalism. There will be general information and in depth sessions around special focuses (example: facilitation or coordination). We will be including resources and developments in the last year. We are looking for emerging trends and uses of Small Group Ministry. We will have opportunities for participants to present seminars from their own experiences. This distinguishes an Institute from a conference! AND we will have several hours each day to enjoy what The Mountain has to offer! There are trails on The Mountain and additional trails and other side trips nearby. The food is great. Visit the web site at http://www.mountaincenters.org/ The costs this year are $500 for the lodging and program costs. There is a discount or $25 for registering by July 1, and a $30 discount to UU Small Group Ministry Network members (individual or congregational). We are aware of the cost of the conference. Please consider this as an investment in the Small Group Ministry program in your congregation. While the early time for registering is July 1, we would appreciate hearing of your interest in attending and what you would like us to be sure to include. This will also help us in planning.
Get flier here Previous Events & ReportsAnnouncements of Events is an exciting part of the Network’s clearinghouse function. But just hearing about an upcoming event seems like only part of the story. After an event, we would like to also highlight what has happened. So, if you would like us to announce your event, please also send us a follow-up that notes the range of participants, the key focuses, presenters, and a few comments from people who attended. If you would like to send that information on conferences that you have held but were not announced by the Network, please also contact us.
"Building and Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program"
Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2009
"Building and Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program"
Saturday, January 10, 2009, The training will include:
Peter Bowden is a Unitarian Universalist consultant specializing in small group ministry and UU outreach and evangelism. Peter is one of the founders of the UU Small Group Ministry Network, a national organization and non-profit dedicated to supporting small group ministries within our movement. Through this network and independently Peter has led workshops on small group ministry throughout New England, at General Assemblies, at Ferry Beach and Star Island. You may read more about Peter's work and this event at his site uuplanet.com.
Cost: $ 30.00 per person, or $ 25.00 per person for congregational teams of three (3) or more. Lunch provided. “Small Group Ministry Facilitator Training” This all day advanced workshop will be offered at two locations.
This workshop is for those with some prior exposure to Small Group Ministry who want to focus on developing their understanding of and skill in group facilitation. It is open to both new and experienced facilitators. Topics will include facilitation as a spiritual practice, developmental stages of facilitators and of groups, dealing with group challenges and the values and theological assumptions underlying facilitation. There will be two actual group experiences focused on topics of concern for developing facilitators. (For the Workshop in Portsmouth has those without prior experience with SGM are welcome to attend a Friday evening “Introduction Session” after which they are welcome to join the event on Saturday. Leader: Rev. M’ellen Kennedy is a Small Group Ministry consultant and co-founder of the SGM Network. She has been teaching small group facilitation for over 20 years and feedback on her workshops has been excellent. She has offered facilitator training to hundreds of lay and professionals leaders. See the description on the previous page for more biographical info. Registration and Cost: The fee which includes lunch, is $40 for one person and $35 for each additional person from the same congregation. $10 additional charge for Friday night in Portsmouth. For a registration info contact Rev. Kennedy at melllenken@aol.com. 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. “Building and Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program” This all day workshop will be offered multiple times At the following dates and locations in the fall:
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 Small
Group Ministry Institute 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 At the Small Group Ministry Institute at The Mountain in August 42 participants and leaders came from 24 congregations shared the power of Small Group Ministry, using the basic elements as the basis for implementation, and gaining deeper insight into the profound changes that can occur within congregations because of Small Group Ministry. Congregations represented the continuum from exploring starting a program to having a program for over 10 years, from newer congregations to those closer to 200 years old, from under 100 members to over 800 members, and from a broad geographic spread. The diversity added richness to the interactions.. See Small Group Sessions for plans developed at the Institute. 
CA (Santa Barbara), DC, FL (Bradenton), IA (Davenport), IL (Peoria), IN (Bloomington), LA (Baton Rouge), ME (Augusta), MD (Columbia), MN (Minneapolis), NC: (Ashville, Brevard, Chapel Hill, Charlotte/(Piedmont, Durham/Eon River, Winston-Salem), NY: Brooklyn/Society for Ethical Culture, Stony Brook), OH (Cleveland/West Shore), PA (Boiling Springs, Devon), SC (Greenville), TN (Chattanooga, Gray) UU SMALL GROUP MINISTRY NETWORK AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY The Small Group Ministry Network is planning the following activities at General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, June 25-29, 2008. Check at the Booth for updates and additional information. ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the UU Small Group Ministry Network is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 1:30 PM. EXHIBIT HALL: Please visit us in the exhibit hall at BOOTH #432 Resources, opportunities to talk with people about Small Group Ministry and Covenant Groups, share what is working and what the challenges are for you.
Booth Chats are being planned. We appreciate the interest in sharing ideas around specific parts of Small Group Ministry. If you have a topic to suggest for a chat of up to a half hour with possibility of ongoing discussion, please contact us at Office@smallgroupministry.net with your suggestion, something that you have to share, and a suggested time.
Many congregations are using Small Group Ministry to meet the needs for intimacy and spiritual growth. We will provide strategies to successfully run programs to prevent and avoid common pitfalls. We’ll focus particularly on handling “extra grace needed members,” and hidden cultural biases that can limit program effectiveness. Presenters are: Diana Dorroh, Baton Rogue, LA; Rev. Russ Savage, Bethesda, MD, Steve Becker, Seattle, WA
Small
Group Ministry: Building and Strengthening
Programs 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. Beyond
The Basics: 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. January 12, 2008 For: Congregations starting new programs and those with existing programs Topics:
Workshop Leader: the Rev. Dr. M'ellen Kennedy – UU community minister, community psychologist; co-founder and coordinator of the UU Small Group Ministry Network; editor, "Small Group Ministry Quarterly"; consulting minister for the Universalist Society in Strafford, Vermont. Cost: $40 for first member of a church; $35 for each additional person June 20-24, 2007, General Assembly, Portland. OR #2043 Emerging Models ofSmall Group Ministry Congregations across our denomination are developing successful and exciting variations on Small Group Ministry or Covenant Groups. This panel of members and friends of the Small Group Ministry Network will share our significant innovations including theme groups, short-term groups, groups in the community, use in Religious Education and by religious professionals. Panelists are Rev. Ken Beldon, Dr. M’ellen Kennedy, Rev. Helen Zidowecki, and others. #3053 Facilitator Training for Small Group Ministry Small Group Ministry or Covenant Groups are transforming how we do congregational life. One of the challenges that lay and professional leaders face is how to adequately train facilitators. In this workshop, members of the Small Group Ministry Network will share our collective wisdom on what makes for quality leadership development. Presenters: Dr. M’ellen Kennedy, Rev. Marti Keller, Diana Dorroh and Peter Bowden. UUSGM Network Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of the UU Small Group Ministry Network will be held at GA in Portland. We will vote on a slate of officers for the coming year. Details on the Meeting will be available at the SGM Network Booth. UUSGM Network Booth #852 “Small Groups, Deep Connections” The UU Small Group Ministry Network is offering a booth in the Exhibit Hall at General Assembly. Come learn more about Small Group Ministry, receive free consulting about your SGM questions, talk with the experts, hear mini-workshops, join the Network, pick up free materials, purchase materials, meet SGM enthusiasts from around the country, and tell us about your SGM Program. See You there! Hours: Wednesday: Noon to 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday: 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday: 9 AM to 4 PM April 12, 2007 (7-9 PM), Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program First Unitarian Congregation of Cleveland, Ohio (21600 Shaker Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio) Dr. M’ellen Kennedy This First Unitarian Congregation of Cleveland is pleased to offer a training opportunity for SGM enthusiasts. The workshop will cover the following topics: - the power and purpose of Small Group Ministry (or Covenant Groups) - the essential components of a Small Group Ministry program - addressing common challenges in an SGM program - developing shared leadership within a small group - handling group difficulties. This event will be of particular value to those serving as group leaders or facilitators in a small group ministry program. Others, including professional ministers, those serving on steering committees for SGM programs, or those with an interest in being part of small group ministry are also welcome and will benefit from this workshop. The workshop leader is the Dr. M'ellen Kennedy, a UU community minister and community psychologist. She is co-founder and co-coordinator of the UU Small Group Ministry Network and serves as editor of this organization's "Small Group Ministry Quarterly." Dr. Kennedy has been working with lay led small groups for over 20 years and has offered facilitator training to hundreds of lay and professionals leaders. She also serves as a consulting minister for the Universalist Society in Strafford, VT. January 6th, 2007, A Meeting for SGM Leaders, First Parish in Wayland, MA , 9:00 am to Noon Come, share information about: How we organize and publicize our groups Successful topics we each have developed Advertising the program Sharing of stories and tricks of the trade R.S.V.P. by email or mail. Send your name, contact data, and congregation to: November 12, 2006, Baton Rouge, LA Workshop leaders: Jonalu Johnstone and Diana Dorroh. Bring your stories. We will start with a brief review of the critical factors for successful covenant groups and then hear your stories and take time to do some troubleshooting and support. Wrap-up will include identifying some of the themes and common elements in our challenges and successes. December 8-10, 2006 Rindge, NH Small Group Ministry and Worship Leadership Weekend, Sponsored by the New Hampshire/Vermont District Church Leadership Committee. M’ellen Kennedy will be the instructors on Small Group Ministry. Register by Nov. 20th. Total cost $200 including room and board. CENTER Day and General Assembly St. Louis, MO June 19-21, CENTER Day (For Ministers) in St. Louis, MO The UUSGM Network will be offering the following workshop for religious professionals at CENTER Day on June 20, 2006. The Possibilities and Perplexities of Small Group Ministry More than half of our congregations have tried Small Group Ministry (SGM) or Covenant Groups as a way of meeting the needs for intimacy and spiritual growth. Groups hold the promise for revitalizing our churches. Yet many of us are encountering challenges and frustrations as we use this approach. This session will provide a candid review of SGM and explore ways to successfully run programs to prevent and avoid some of the common pitfalls. We’ll explore the hidden, cultural biases that can limit program effectiveness. We’ll invite sharing with colleagues on their views of and experiences with SGM. Presenters will be Dr. M'ellen Kennedy, MDiv, Rev. Helen Zidowecki, and Rev. Marti Keller. June 21-25, 2006, General Assembly Explore how Small Group Ministry enhances service to the congregation and the larger community and how service vitalizes Small Group Ministry. Explore the connection, share your stories. Faith in action is a result of spiritual community and connectedness. Presenters: Rev. Judith Smith-Valley, Rev. Helen Zidowecki #3021 Introduction to Small Group Ministry Small Group Ministry (SGM) or Covenant Groups are being used successfully in hundreds of congregations to build community and encourage deeper spiritual exploration. This workshop will provide an introduction to SGM, how and why it works, and to the essential components of a healthy SGM program. Presenters: M’ellen Kennedy, Elizabeth Barrett, Rev. Marti Keller #3049 Accessing Women’s Heritage Through Small Group Ministry Experience and develop Small Group Ministry Sessions that bring the lives and words of UU women to today’s congregations. Balance historic information and dialogue to create materials to use in your own setting, and ways to engage your own story. Take-home packers will be available. Presenters: Rev. Helen Zidowecki, Phyllis Rickter #3082 Strengthening Existing Small Group Ministry Programs America’s Center 262 Small Group Ministry or Covenant Groups, are transforming our congregations by encouraging deeper spiritual growth and the development of friendships. This workshop will focus on the leverage points for strengthening or revitalizing an existing program. We will explore how to maintain a healthy program and avoid and overcome common pitfalls. Presenters: M’ellen Kennedy, Rev. Helen Zidowecki. Experience Covenant Groups at General Assembly 2006 General Assembly 2006 in St. Louis will offer dedicated time and space for Covenant Groups to meet. Covenant Groups at GA 2004 in Long Beach and GA 2005 in Fort Worth earned rave reviews from participants, proving to be a highlight of the GA experience for many. Whether you are an experienced GA attendee or a first-timer, whether you are a member of a Covenant Group in your congregation or Covenant Groups are new to you, this program offers the opportunity to enhance your experience at General Assembly 2006 in St. Louis. If you have facilitated a Covenant Group (or Small Group Ministry by whatever name) in your home congregation for one year or more, you are invited to apply to be a GA Covenant Group facilitator. Facilitator Training will be provided by staff and board of the UU Small Group Ministry Network. If you would like to participate, please register on-line. There will be no on-site registration in St. Louis. November 4-5, 2005, Madison, WI With forty-nine people in attendance from five states in the Midwest, this conference was a big success. It included a Friday evening and all day Saturday program led by Rev. Calvin Dame and Dr. M’ellen Kennedy. Here are some comments from attendees. Seminary intern Bret Lortie of the UU Society of Geneva, IL, attended with a lay leader, Tom Peters. Bret reports: Tom and I came away from the conference energized and armed with some great ideas. Since I'm an intern, I'm glad to have brought a key lay leader along: he's going to be able to follow up more than I can since he's here for the long haul. Dick and Mary Ramsdell, Board members of the Unitarian Congregation of Rock County, Janesville, WI, write: “Thank you so much for the workshop. We are members of a small, emerging church where each of us wear many hats and are becoming tired out. Your presentation on Small Group Ministry has been energizing and instilled us with a desire to bring this program to our congregation. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and expertise.” Joyce Carey, of First Unitarian Society of Madison reports: The highlight for me was a one-hour mini-covenant group, one of seven that met in various locations in the church. We had a clear agenda to follow, from opening reading, through check-in, discussion and closing. We followed the recommendation that check in be SHORT, and then dove right into the topic, which was fear. Having such a short check in made us think carefully about what we said. It also left most of the hour for discussion, which grew surprisingly deep considering that we were all strangers to each other. It was a great example of how well the recommended format for small groups works in action. October 29, 2005, Los Angeles, CA A Report from Carol-jean Teuffel, Santa Monica, CA On October 29, 2005 the Pacific Southwest District presented, and our Santa Monica Small Group Ministry (SGM) program hosted the workshop “Possibilities of Small Group Ministry” with Dr. M’ellen Kennedy. As a co-founder of the UUSGM Network, M’ellen is passionate in guiding this program’s growth. Seventy-five people attended from Santa Monica, San Diego, Sacramento, Fullerton, Santa Barbara, West Hollywood, and from Arizona. We enjoyed a daylong instructional workshop for UU churches starting and nurturing Covenant Groups (CG). As a CG has a distinct purpose and a unique structure, stressing support through deep respectful listening, it takes dialogue and practice to help leaders fully understand why and how to proceed. M’ellen highlighted having a clear purpose, format, and commitment to agreed upon ground rules, and shared leadership among all members. This workshop helped us understand how these small relational group assist people to connect, engage in shared spirituality and draw newcomers in, giving them “a place at the table.” In these groups, members become a lay ministry to one another through honoring and supporting one another, service, and joyful celebration of life. This training energized and helped us grow in our understanding and practice of Small Group Ministry. October 21-24, 2005, LREDA Liberal Religious Educators Association Fall Conference Philadelphia. Rev. Helen Zidowecki, Litchfield, ME Small Group Ministry was an integral part of the LREDA Fall Conference. A Small Group Ministry session was part of the orientation at this continental gathering of 180 Unitarian Universalist religious educators. The groups then had several additional session plans for meetings during the conference. The material for each sessions was developed to complement the presentations of the theme speaker, Rev. Lawrence Peers, Consultant, The Alban Institute, whose theme was "Mapping Uncharted Territory: New Directions for Growing Learning Congregations." The session plans are available on my web site at www.hzmre.com/sgm and look under LREDA Fall Conference 2005. September 17, 2005, Oak Ridge, TN The East Tennessee Cluster of UU Churches offers an annual fall gathering for their congregations. This year’s featured topic was Small Group Ministry with a presentation by Dr. M’ellen Kennedy. About thirty-five people attended from five congregations. Here’s a comment from Rev. Jake Morrill of the Oak Ridge UU Church which has just launched their SGM program this fall. “Thank you for your inspirational visit. It was a great success. Thank you for getting us off on the right foot.” August 13-19, 2005 Small Group Ministry Conference at Ferry Beach, Saco, Maine Separate articles in Quarterly. General Assembly 2005 The UU Small Group Ministry Network will once again have a booth in the Exhibit Hall. In addition, as a new UUA Affiliate Organization, this year we’ll offer the following two events.
“Creating An Effective Small Group Ministry Network” Annual Meeting of UU Small Group Ministry Network Saturday, June 25, 2005 from 3:45 PM to 5 PM Small Group Ministry is re-vitalizing our movement. This Annual Meeting of the UU Small Group Ministry Network (UUSGMN), is an opportunity: to connect with other SGM fans; to learn how we can help each other create vital SGM programs; and to learn about and get involved in the UUSGM Network.
“Small Group Ministry: Beyond the Basics Workshop” Saturday, June 25, 2005 from 2 PM to 3:15 PM Repeat Programming of “Beyond the Basics” Workshop Sunday, June 26 from 3 PM to 4:15 PM The UU Small Group Ministry Network provides energizing information and ideas to move your small group ministry program to a deeper level of health and vitality. We’ll discuss integrating small group ministry into the life of your congregation, deepening facilitator training , understanding various models of small group ministry, and more! Presenters are Rev. Calvin Dame, Dr. Mellen Kennedy, and Peter Bowden. Covenant Groups at GA 2005: (From UU SGMN Quarterly, Spring 2006) A Review by Erica Baron, Newton Centre, MA I love attending General Assembly. There’s so much to do, to see, and to learn. But all the wonderful things that go on at GA can get overwhelming. It is really great to have a place to slow down, process, and reconnect. The Covenant Group I belonged to at the Fort Worth GA was this haven for me. We met everyday, and talked about our lives, our spiritual histories, and our experiences at GA. At first I was a bit hesitant about adding another event to my already full days, but after one or two meetings, I really came to look forward to them. The Covenant Group was the only place at GA where I got to know people on a deeper level, who had just been strangers. It was the only place where I got to share myself and my experience in a meaningful way. And while I had many friends and fellow seminarians in the crowds at the Convention Center, it was also great to have another five people who I could say hello to in passing or sit with in workshops. In fact, my group leader and I started seeing each other everywhere we went, which was really fun. I would definitely recommend GA Covenant Groups to others. Participating in my group gave me a new group of friends, a chance to slow down and connect in a deeper way than is possible in workshops, a consistent time to look forward to everyday, and some really amazing conversations. Comments on CG at GA by Marv Pulliam, Manhattan Beach, CA What impressed me about the Covenant Group I participated in at GA was the diversity of the group-in terms of age, where people came from, and personal background. We had a special experience in our group and got into personal sharing rather quickly, after all. Maybe it is easier to share one's innermost feelings with strangers. Most of the group members were experiencing covenant groups for the first time. We used the proposed covenant and the openings and closings that were provided by the organizers, which was quite helpful to me as a facilitator. All participants attended all sessions, so they were voting with their feet. They expressed an interest in pursuing Covenant Groups at their respective congregations upon their return home. After GA, I went to St. Louis to visit my family. One of the members from my GA Covenant Group, was Rich, a member of Eliot Unitarian Chapel, in the St. Louis area. I attended a service at Eliot Chapel with my niece, and had the opportunity to meet Rich there and have a chat during coffee hour. My GA Covenant Group experience has given me connections with UU s far and wide. It's a small world, after all. April 7, 2005, CULTURAL CREATIVES AND COVENANT GROUPS CGN Dallas, TX PAUL RAY SPEAKS AT DISTRICT CONFERENCE Paul H. Ray, theme speaker last week for the Annual Meeting of Unitarian Universalists in the SW District, says he expects a sea-change in American politics and society that will be led by Cultural Creatives for whom the exchange of personal stories is central and activism is linked with spirituality. Covenant Groups, he said, are a natural fit for these people. "Cultural Creatives see no conflict between spirituality and activism, for them, it's both/and," Ray said, adding, "For them it's all one big thing. They say 'I want the big picture, but my own personal experience is incredibly important, too.' And in that they include the spiritual." Stories, he said, are a primary means of sharing and integrating differing cultural values, and values are what tie together the Cultural Creatives as a rapidly-growing segment of our population. Ray, with his wife, Sherry Anderson, is the author of "Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World." He spoke April 7th at Dallas 1st Unitarian Church, addressed delegates to the District meeting, and gave a brief introduction to a workshop on Covenant Groups. Ray believes we are moving toward a "Wisdom Culture" that will bring change on a scale not seen since the Industrial Revolution. It is invisible to the major media and to most pollsters because what links Cultural Creatives is shared values. Values changes, he said, can't be detected in a poll. It is his belief that up to 45% of America's voters can be united behind a vision that is neither left nor right, Democrat nor Republican, but is green and progressive. His views can be found at http://www.culturalcreatives.org. Bob Hill, DE in the SW and author of the UUA's Guide to Small Group Ministry, said he found Ray's remarks encouraging and affirming for the SGM movement: "Ray's descriptions of Cultural Creatives as a group needing the sort of community we offer though Covenant Groups highlighted for me the importance of sharing stories and of offering people a chance to manifest their values through service. Ray says these folks want personal growth, for sure, and they want to work together toward a better world for their children and grandchildren. To me that means we must not forget the service components of each Small Group Ministry." February 17-20, 2005 Small Group Ministry for Large Congregations, Congregations in Good Company: The 6th National Conference for Large Congregations in the Unitarian Universalist Association Boston, Massachusetts The special gathering for large congregations offered by the UUA will feature three presentations on covenant groups or small group ministry. The Conference program states: “After several years of rapid adoption of Small Group Ministry techniques, we now have greater basis for judging the extent to which Covenant Groups, by whatever name, enrich, deepen, and widen church programs and the lives of individuals. We can also see where programs have faltered and some reasons why. “Three practitioners of this new (to us) type of ministry have agreed to share their successes, disappointments, and insights. Rev. Michael McGee, Lead Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia; Rev. Jennifer Brower, Minister for Pastoral Care at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, New York; And Rev. Calvin Dame, Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Augusta, Maine.” Rev. Dame is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the UUA, and the president and co-founder of our UU Small Group Ministry Network. January 22, 2005, UU SGM Network Regional Conference. First Unitarian Church, Providence, RI. Join us for a day long regional UU Small Group Ministry conference. This event is being geared for those who are already working with small group ministry. We'll focus on the issues that come up particularly after the second or third year. Those getting ready to explore or launch should consider attending either the November 20th or December 18th events listed above. All may attend but presentations will assume basic working knowledge of small group ministry. Saturday, December 18th, 2004 Here is a program for churches that would like to introduce Small Group Ministry into the life of the congregation. We'll cover these and other questions and provide participants with the tools to go home and get started. This training will be most effective for congregations that are be to send teams. And for new leaders in churches with existing programs, this might be a useful day to be grounded in the basic theory and practice of Small Group Ministry. Saturday, November 20th, 2004 Considering small group ministry? This half day seminar cover the foundations of small group ministry including the role of lay and professional leaders, issues related to designing, launching and nurturing a small group ministry, and review available resources. No knowledge of SGM required. Contact Peter Bowden. October 9, 2004, Small Group Ministry Conference, Devon, PA Building Connections: Starting and Strengthening Small Group Ministry programs. With The Rev. Calvin O. Dame & Mellen Kennedy. Sponsored by the Main Line Unitarian Church, the Joseph Priestley District and the UU SGM Network.
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office@smallgroupministry.net.
