Join us in the Institute! There is still room.
The Small Group Ministry Institute moves to encourage more local exposure, while drawing from congregations around the continent. It is in the West this year.
See the Flier and Registration materials

As of July 24, 12 congregations in 5 states have registered!
Congregations have found that sending several people to the Institute allows for congregational assessment and planning, as well as having people able to attend consecutive sessions. There will be opportunity to experience Small Group Ministry sessions.

We are including evolving information from congregation in the new publication, Celebrating Congregations, from discussions at the Small Group Ministry booth at General Assembly, and at the General Assembly workshop, as well as resources available to address topics such as:

* Why and Wherefore of SGM: History and background, Small Group Ministry in the Unitarian Universalism -congregational and beyond, and successful Small Group Ministry
* Roles and Resources of: Program Director, Minister and other Religious Professionals, and lay leadership
* Developing and Deepening Group Experience: Things to consider, options and guidelines, cycles of groups
* Is Small Group Ministry for Everyone?
* Facilitation: From selection, to orientation and development, to specific concerns
* The Session Themselves: Resources for session plan selection and development, including the new publication, Spiritual Journeys
* Service to Congregation and Community: The impact of service on a group and the congregation
* Assessment and ongoing development of Small Group Ministry in your congregation: Where you are now, your vision, and developing your own plan.

This Institute will include Small Group Ministry for parents and families, multigenerational Small Group Ministry, and the increasing involvement of religious educators with Small Group Ministry. Youth and Young Adults are welcome at the conference.

The Institutes are based on the premise that we all have things to share and are willing to gain knowledge and understanding. The Faculty includes Helen Zidowecki (Augusta, ME), Diana Dorroh (Baton Rouge, LA) and Christine Trigeiro (Escondido, CA)

See the Flier and Registration materials at www.smallgroupministry.net, and attached.
Also attached is the brochure that was developed by deBenneville Pines.

The 2010 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in Minneapolis last month was especially exciting for the Small Group Ministry Network. A capacity audience attended our workshop, "Enhancing, Revitalizing, Restarting Your Small Group Ministry." We learned successful strategies from two congregations that had revamped their programs, doubling the number of participants. A record number of SGM enthusiasts stopped by the booth to talk with us, ask questions, and purchase resources. We sold out of Small Group Ministry 2010: Celebrating Congregations and are looking at second printings of both it and Spiritual Journeys: 101 Session Plans for Small Group Ministry Programs. Seven congregations became Network members during GA. A special SGM Discussion hour, offered for the first time this year, allowed us to have in-depth consultations with congregations in the process of starting or expanding their covenant group programs.

Covenant Group members from all over the U.S. volunteered with us at the booth. We got to personally connect with Network members that we had known only by names and email addresses before then. In this way, Covenant Groups become ever-widening circles. We connect within our own small groups, with all the groups in our congregation, with covenant groups in nearby congregations, and then with programs across the entire denomination. GA 2011 is in Charlotte, North Carolina. We encourage each of you to attend, visit us at the booth, participate in our workshop, and connect with hundreds of other UUs involved in Small Group/Covenant Group Ministry.

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. The Spring 2010 Quarterly is now posted on the site.

UU Cluster of Central North Carolina - Small Group Ministry Facilitator Training
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 9 AM - 4 PM at The Community Church of Chapel Hill, UU, Chapel Hill, NC. Jointly sponsored by Community Church and The UU Small Group Ministry Network. For new and experienced facilitators and program coordinators, as well as ministers and congregation leaders starting a covenant group program. For more information and a registration form, contact Liz Bryan, Registrar, at 410-348-5221 or liz_bryan@hotmail.com. Registrants outside the cluster are welcome as space allows.

SUMMER INSTITUTE

Summer Institute Goes to De Benneville Pines, Angelus Oaks, CA
Tuesday, August 31 to Friday, September 3, 2010

Registration Information at www.smallgroupministry.net

Don't miss the fifth Small Group Ministry Summer Institute! The Institute began as a way of introducing congregations to SGM and providing resources for program development. Small Group Ministry is in various stages within congregations, from just an idea to a program. Within established programs there are also phases, and we are learning together as we move into the second decade of UU SGM. Congregations have found that sending several people to the Institute allows for congregational assessment and planning, as well as having people able to attend consecutive sessions.

The Institutes are designed on the premise that we all have things to share and are willing to gain knowledge and understanding. This is what we expect in our Small Group/Covenant Group Sessions - why not at the Institute?

Sessions planned include:
• Developing and maintaining sound groups, and group dynamics
• Starting, restarting and growing Small Group Ministry
• Developing and evaluating sessions
• Assessing your own program and building on your strengths
• Multigenerational Small Group Ministry - a "cutting edge" topic this year

Cost: Lodging and Program Fee: $350
$25 discount for registration before July 1
$25 discount for UU SGM Network members
Contact Helen Zidowecki at office@smallgroupministry.net
or 207-582-5308 with questions and comments.

Camp de Benneville Pines is a retreat and conference center located in the Barton Flats area of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. At an elevation of 6,800 feet, the camp is surrounded by a forest of towering pines, cedars, and oaks and is affiliated with the Pacific Southwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Facilities include a swimming pool, a hot tub, children's playground, an archery range, and opportunities for many outdoor sports. Cabins are all equipped with modern bathrooms and hot showers, and offer comfortable sleeping quarters. Meals are prepared by kitchen staff and served in the main lodge. Visit uucamp@aol.org for more information.

Read what others have to say about the Summer Institute:
Great practical ideas to take home. The times for sharing beyond the presentations were a fantastic opportunity! Lots of information. Really worthwhile experience.

The conference really reinforced for me the power of the small group ministry process. Three things about the experience made it memorable: the things I learned, the people I met, and the idyllic setting.

In addition to what was "taught," the most enriching aspect was being able to hear and dialogue about what others were doing in their SGM programs and why.

The program was well-planned; the variety of presentation styles kept interest high, as did the continuing movement in and out of different groups and places.

Small Group Ministry Facilitator Training     Saturday, October 2, 2010 All Day
Hosted by the North Parish of North Andover, MA
Facilitated by Rev. Dr. M'ellen Kennedy
For a registration form and more information, please contact Rev. Kennedy at mellenken@aol.com or 802-453-5469.

For more details and events see the Event Announcements

Small Groups, Deep Connections