Diana Dorroh, Baton Rogue, LA April 26
I would love to hear your stories about the role your covenant group is playing now. Small Group Ministry often plays a special role during a crisis. My group has begun meeting (via Zoom of course) more often, every two weeks, instead of monthly. At our last meeting, everybody expressed appreciation for the chance to connect and be together. .... including the 4 who are parents of young children. It's a real privilege for me.

Those of you who aren't meeting at all but would like to............. might explore one person setting up the Zoom (or other technology calls if you want to use something else) for all of the covenant groups on request and then emailing the info to the group leaders for distribution to the members...

Denise L. Frick, UU Fellowship of Greenville South Carolina. April 26
Most of our circles are meeting using the zoom account available from our fellowship. Participants have found the meetings very helpful and supportive.

Lisa Udel, Springfield, IL. May 8
At the Springfield, IL congregation, we have run 5 covenant groups simultaneously for 4 years. Several of our groups switched to Zoom without much trouble, but a few of our groups simply stopped. We have a few elderly folks who feel unable to use the technology and few folks without high-speed internet. Our minister has been wonderful, helping people use Zoom if they don't know how. Some people are experiencing computer fatigue, especially those who work all day and then must Zoom their covenant group. What are other people doing? Anything that is particularly successful? Thanks.

Julie Evonna, Adult Faith Development Coordinator for our Aiken UU Church (SC).
May (several e-mails) Our Chalice Groups started in 2013. In the beginning of March, I sent out a query for each of our Chalice Groups to determine if they have the desire to have Zoom gatherings during this coronavirus time. One group has met once and the focus was just listening, sharing concerns, fears, anxiety and such. I don't want to minimize our individual and collective fear and anxiety, and yet, I also want to help build a bridge towards hope and our connections. Any help is greatly appreciated.

My goal is to find connections with others involved with UU SGM and hear what they are doing at this time. We have 6 Chalice groups, running weekly at this time of Covid as well as a monthly Faith Café. Other groups remain in place: Sisterhood, Bookclub, journalling, etc. Chalice and Faith Cafe are being zoomed and historically used the SGM sessions for our monthly gatherings. Now, for our weekly time, I am just punting. A long check in followed by some idea or topic that is "light" "brief" and connecting. And now, each group is finding their own chalice and ending readings. I would LOVE to hear how others are managing these groups of connection and support during covid. I also wonder if there is any discussion of what's next in the coming weeks and months on gathering, staying connected, does zoom continue, etc...?

Our Chalice groups have continued to meet weekly.  We've added a drop in hour Morning Sips of Connection M-F from 8 - 9am. We have 5-10 people just dropping in (by zoom invite) with no expectations of any discussion. And we have added Sacred Shared Time: 15 minutes of sharing our opening rituals for entering prayer or sacred time, followed by a 2 minute or less reading, followed by shared silence. We created this for our working members to be able to connect during their workday.

We have not added any new groups at this time. Our focus for our chalice groups is on our faith journey and traditions and how this may inform and guide our time during the pandemic, and all the uncertainty. Our monthly Faith Cafe is on Compassionate Living during CoVid.

Please take extra good care of you and yours, Julie

Linda Findlay, Augusta, ME, Spring Newsletter, May 2020
Our seven groups have kept in touch with their members and share their ongoing lives under self-quarantine situations. Five of the groups have had meetings electronically, some members joining by video and some by phone. This has been a learning experience with technology itself and a new way of being together. There is increasing comfort in the process the more that it is used. One group noted they have received a gift in the increased capacity to allow connection but emphasized the need to balance virtual with actual personal meetings when restrictions are lifted.

Consideration of the many facets of isolation has brought appreciation for various ways the disruption impacts us physically, emotionally and spiritually. This also has brought awareness of the many ways we can help and be present with each other.

Anne Bailey, Universalist Church of West Hartford, CT May 4
I have been holding two Small Group Zoom sessions every week. The attendance varies, a few are there regularly, others now and then. Even with only 4 one time, we had a great conversation. I usually post a few prompting questions with the Zoom log-in invitation, but we may end up just having a spontaneous conversation. Most sessions last about an hour. The log-in link is posted in our Weekly eNews, but most of the attendees have come from personal email outreach. I have compiled a list of questions as we have gone along. (See ZOOM and Small Group Ministry: Questions)

Andy LeCompte and Brenda Asis, First Parish, Waltham, MA, May 9
We are enthusiastically starting Small Group Ministry and we have our first group of 10 starting on Monday, May 11th. Our small team sees Small Group Ministry via video-conferencing as an important way to stay connected during the pandemic through meaningful discussions and developing a deeper sense of intimacy.

Peter Bowden: COVID19 Strategy: Prioritizing small group ministry using Zoom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpLjeA-sos
A digital ministry strategy session with Peter Bowden discussing congregations, COVID19, and the value of prioritizing moving your congregation into online small groups modeled after our popular small group ministry model. Peter Bowden works with nonprofit and congregational leaders across the United States on community building, digital leadership, and other connecting strategies. Contact him for private team strategy sessions. Email me and if we're a good match to work together, I'll send you a scheduling link. Thanks. Website, Podcast and Social Media

IT HAPPENED SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
Things were going along nicely with the SGM. Suddenly we were not allowed into the church space, then we were restricted to home for isolation (not seclusion, mind you, but isolation). And were required to wear masks.

The church set up an account for ZOOM worship and use of congregational groups and several members had Zoom accounts. Technology was available. But making it accessible took intentionality. A number of members had not experienced electronic meetings of any kind by phone or video, others had a varying amount of experience. Identifying and addressing challenges of using ZOOM for Small Group Ministry helps our participants connect into worship and other church activities.

Familiarity with technology: This has been a learning experience with technology itself and a new way of being together. Some people may decide to try the use ZOOM after others have tried it and are encouraging them - when they are ready.

A person may not have access to a computer or other device that connects, or web camera or adequate internet connection may not be available, literally, or financially. A gift of small group ministry is helping address concerns - people helping others procure needed equipment. ZOOM tutorials and practice sessions oriented SGM leaders and members to its use. When access to e-mail is not available, communication about meetings and materials for a session may need to be mailed. Knowing the technology available and accessible is critical to maintaining connections and a feeling of belonging.

Time and space: With one church account, there was a need to have a central person for scheduling and trouble-shooting. Scheduling virtual communications becomes even more critical. Ensuring privacy requires a means of security via understanding of time by users and possibly the addition of individual codes or passwords.

It is a matter of making sure that the connecting information is well publicized, including URL for computer connections, call-in numbers and Meeting Identification (or the basic requirements for whatever virtual service that is being used). For security, a small group had been given a meeting ID that differed from the main one for worship or a password. We needed to remind ourselves of which number we were using at which time, and to have a person to call if there were problems in connecting.

Connectability: Those who could not connect by video were encouraged to participate by phone. Some of those had have limited coverage so that the cost to the call-in number that is out of the included area is charged to the phone bill. While that is not the case with cell phones, there may not be adequate coverage available in an area.

Some people did not connect for more personal concerns. A person may not have a place that is available or private enough, regardless of devices available. Or some may be uncomfortable allowing a camera and others into the homes. Or may have other people around or animals that can be distracting and interfere with the focusing on the group. Or there may be one computer used by multiple people. Places where people could go to connect electronically are not as available with the urgency to stay at home and settings, like libraries, are not open or have limited access.

Some people who do well in a small group of people with whom they have a personal connection, literally being present and feeling the exchange of energy in an area may but not so comfortably when the personal connection is altered. Communication cues, the non-verbal communication, that are present when we are literally sharing space are different or missing with the technology. Using electronic media can be energizing and it also can be tiring. Learning new skills can be tiring. And change itself is not always welcome or easily accommodated. There may also be consideration of hearing capability or other consideration.

Regardless of all the efforts to keep people connected and events as 'normal' as possible, there will be some things that do not occur. Some people may not remain connected and some small groups may not continue. The concern, then, is other ways of keeping connected. Some events like appreciation gatherings for leaders and facilitators may not occur or may be different.

THE SESSION ITSELF
The session, the time together, is a stabilizing factor. It is helpful to keep as close to the group process as possible, keeping the format of a session. For example, members can light their own candles from their own space. Material is sent out before the session is helpful, especially when some may be joining by phone without visual contact. We may have to listen differently when we do not see or experience body language as we would if we were in the same space.

The overwhelming initial concern is connecting and caring for each other. One of the Augusta groups took time to note the many ways that people isolate-- the very subtle parts of isolation, the meaning of isolation, how we move through this. However, after about three meetings, the group decided to do a session on gratitude. We cannot stay focused on the crisis, but rather on the learnings and gifts of the crisis. The focus moves from the immediate to the hopeful, to balancing reality with strength. There are session plans for this on the Network website (http://www.smallgroup.net on Home Page and Small Group Sessions).

While we do not focus on church life per se during sessions, communications maybe different within the congregation during this time. Small Group Ministry, as an integral part of congregational life, can support connections with the church community.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The process of the pandemic is uncertain. What is 'a short time' or 'temporary'?

What we are doing now will certainly inform our Small Group Ministry for the future. Some things to consider along the way:
--One group noted they have received a gift in the increased capacity to allow connection but emphasized the need to balance virtual with actual personal meetings when restrictions are lifted.
--Invite people into Small Group Ministry NOW and ongoing. It gives a connection to the intimacy that is needed in this time as well as the ultimacy of going deeper as we enter a new say of being and doing.
--Keep sharing about your experience, session plans, questions through the Network, Facebook and with each other.

As Diana Dorroh noted on May 27,
When I did the post to Facebook, we were all thinking of a short-term thing, that our groups would soon be meeting in person. That we don't know that anymore brings up two things for me. One, churches need to take a serious look at their small group ministry programs. If we can't meet in person for a long time, the groups may be essentially "lost" or hard to restart. We wouldn't want this to happen just because we went to sleep....took a long nap. Two, it seems to me that there is a huge opportunity to start new virtual/zoom covenant groups as outreach to people who need this connection now.  How would one do this? Training? Orientation? Placement? It probably could be figured out.

As a follow-up of Diana's note, we are dedicating THE NEXT EDITION, hopefully August 1, to Moving Forward. Virtual or electronic meetings are not new. We have had questions about this. Please share your experiences and resources with each other as ZOOM continues to become a more permanent part of the Small Group Ministry picture.

SESSION PLANS ONLINE

The SGM Network invites session plans from individuals and congregations for listing in the Session Plan Directory http://www.smallgroupministry.net/public/sessions/index.html or the new section on Celebrations http://smallgroupministry.net/public/sessions/celebrations.html. Please include a suggested topic and key words with session plan submissions.

Send sessions to office@smallgroupministry.net

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WEBSITE RESOURCES
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UU SGM NETWORK PUBLICATIONS - Order online or by mail
See http://www.smallgroupministry.net/forsale.html for pricing & ordering information

Implementing Unitarian Universalist Small Group Ministry - A resource for creating Small Group Ministry for your congregation or other setting. Sections include Overview, Life Cycle, Oversight/Direction and Coordination, Leadership, Group Formation and Process, Sessions, Service, Visibility, and Expanding Small Group Ministry.

Social Justice Work Through Small Group Ministry - Thirty-four sessions for preparation, action and reflection on topics of multiculturalism, radical hospitality, immigration, racism, marriage equality, and earth justice.

Small Group Ministry with All Ages - Implementation strategies, leader training, session development, and session plans for children through elders.

Facilitator Training and Development Manual - A guide for training and support plus a handbook on CD to customize for group leaders and facilitators.

Spiritual Journeys: 101 Session Plans for Small Group Ministry Programs - Sessions on Spiritual Journeying, Personal Beliefs and Values, Spiritual Challenges, Just for Fun, Being Human, Holidays, and Special Use subjects for life events.

Small Group Ministry for Youth - Twenty-five sessions for middle and high school youth.