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Some previous topics:

Life Souvenirs
Friendship
Paradox and Change
Peak Experiences
Play
Covenants
Individuality vs Interdependence
Prayer
Our Place in the Universe
Money
Success
Free and Responsible Search for Truth/Meaning
Longing
Forgiveness
Disappointment
The Interdependent Web
Failure
World Community/Peace
Conscience
Anger
Inherent Worth and Dignity

What is Small Group Ministry?
An opportunity to connect with others in the church who wish to explore their values and ideas of spirituality in an intimate setting, and who wish to make a difference together through service to the church or the larger community.

Why Small Group Ministry?
Small Group Ministry is a way to meet these basic needs:
    • To answer a yearning to explore what it means to be human in relation to the universe, to find meaning in existence
    • To find friends and a community of trust

Through Small Group Ministry we:
    • Listen and share as we explore spiritual questions and personal experience in an environment of trust and intimacy
    • Continue to develop and articulate our personal beliefs
    • Feel a sense of belonging to the church community
    • Meet new people, develop deep and lasting connections
    • Give meaning and joy to our lives as we participate in service to our community
    • Participate in a denomination-wide movement

How is a Small Group Ministry (SGM) different from other groups?
    • A Small Group Ministry is bound by a covenant of interaction to which each member agrees.
    • Small Group Ministry follows a specific meeting structure.
    • Size of the group is limited to no more than ten.
    • A trained facilitator leads each group.
    • Listening, as well as sharing, is an important part of each member’s participation.
    • The goal is to connect in a meaningful way with other members and friends of our church community.

A Small Group Ministry is not a study group, a committee, therapy, a debate society, or an affinity group based on a specific area of interest. Its purpose is not to solve a problem.

Topics of discussion are not ends in themselves, but rather a means to the goal of getting to know each other. As each person speaks their own truth, and as each person listens to another’s truth, their connections deepen. This spiritual and social connection, by which we measure our sense of belonging, is the purpose of the SGM Program.

SGM nuts and bolts
    • Group size is 6-10 people.
    • SGMs are open to all members and friends of the church.
    • SGMs meet for 2 hours twice a month for a specified number of sessions.
    • Facilitators are trained to lead in an environment of open exchange and kindness.
    • Each group agrees to a covenant which may include elements such as agreements of respect and privacy, attendance, time-keeping, how we treat one another.
    • Each group does a service project for the church or the larger community.

Meeting format
    • Opening: Each meeting will start with a relevant reading.
    • Check-in: Each person is asked to share how s/he is feeling.
    • Meeting theme: Readings, questions, and sharing with one another
about how the topic relates to each person’s spiritual journey.
    • Likes and wishes/check-out: Each person shares a word or
phrase on how s/he is now feeling.
    • Closing: Reading, poem or song.

How is the SGM Program organized?
The Program is directed by a steering committee working closely with the Minister. Together they select and train facilitators and select church-wide topics for discussion. To view the SGM facilitator training manual dated 12-5-09 please click on a link right here
     UUCE SGM Facilitator Training Manual 12/5/09, revised 12/8/09 (pdf)  or  (doc).

Are Small Group Ministries unique to our church?
Small Group Ministry Programs are thriving all across the country in our denomination. They have been hugely successful in creating a true sense of community in UU churches, especially congregations whose size has grown to the point where it is difficult to know everyone by Sunday morning attendance alone. More information is available at www.smallgroupministry.net.

Theme and topics
The overall theme for the SGM program this church year is “Finding Balance, Living with Polarities”, which can apply to individuals as well as to groups. Examples of topics being considered are: individuality and community; tradition and innovation; acceptance and challenge; and faith and doubt. Some of the readings will be drawn from UU sources, in concert with this year’s church theme of honoring our UU heritage.

Why is it named Small Group Ministry?
Group size is limited to enhance the opportunity for personal sharing and the development of friendships. As we grow in the depth of our connections to each other, we are better able to lend care and support to each other. We learn to “minister” to each other. Each group also provides a service project to the church or the wider community to provide help where needed, broaden our ministry, and enhance our lives by providing deeper meaning and a sense of gratitude toward each other.    

How do I join a Small Group Ministry?
Sign up in the social hall after church services October 25 through November 15, 2009.
You may also get a registration form by:
     • calling our church office at (541) 686-2775
     • by printing the SGM Registration form (pdf)

Registration forms are due in the church office by Nov. 15, 2009.
Voluntary registration fee $10
   (check written to “UUCE” with “SGM” on memo line)

How do I find out more about Small Group Ministry?
     • See the SGM pamphlet in the lobby of the church.
     • Contact any member of the SGM steering committee 2009-2010.
     • The UUCE SGM Covenant of Right Relationship, which can be seen by clicking the underlined words, gives guidelines for group interactions to which group members agree.

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Revised 12-08-09
per Dick Loescher