All Souls UU Church

The fledgling Small Group Ministry group of All Souls Church, Greenfield, was started in mid-July. We met every two weeks, a total of three meetings during the summer. Martha Elliott, the facilitator, has collected materials from several Small Group Ministry programs which include many topic suggestions and outlines. Topics we explored this summer were: Personal Spiritual Timeline; Ministering to Each Other; The Deeper Meaning of Friendship. During September, October and November our group will cut back our meetings to once a month. We have made a mutual commitment to meet through November. During the fall, others will be invited to participate in the burgeoning program and new groups may be formed. It is hoped that you will consider becoming part of the SGM connection. Briefly, Small Group Ministries are regularly scheduled meetings (according to each group's agreement and convenience) of 8 - 12 people and are intended to enhance the overall connectedness among us as a larger community. Groups are deliberately created in ways that combine people of different ages, genders, backgrounds, marital status, etc., and intended to bring them to common ground with each other. We have been meeting at each other's homes. As new groups form, they can decide their format and meeting place(s). We begin by lighting a chalice or candle, reading of the group covenant agreement (later in this text), opening words, check-in, topic/discussion, likes and wishes, closing. When we grow to multiple groups, each group will explore the same subject in their own groups during the same time period. The UU Church in Augusta, ME, started Small Group Ministry in April 1999. Here are some 2001 quotes from people who participated: "Small Group Ministry is the spiritual development group that I've been hoping to find for a long time"; "SGM has re-connected me to the church community"; "SGM has helped me to be excited about Sunday and going to church"; "SGM helps me build personal relationships"; "Through SGM, we can get to know people whom we otherwise may not have"; "SGM goes beyond the coffee hour"; "It's fun!" If you would prefer uncensored, candid, original, personal and thus far un-published quotes from members of our All Souls SGM pilot group, speak to: Elizabeth Bonney, Margo Campbell, Diane Dix, Martha Elliott, Renata Goepp, Anne Hare, Mike Herbert, Irmarie Jones, Bob Plaisted, Trudy Ralph, Frazer Shipman, Nicola Shipman, or Barbara Weeks. Our group agreed to abide by the SGM covenant of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence: We covenant together to 1) Commit to attend (monthly, bi-weekly) meetings through (month/year); 2) Call the facilitator in advance if we can't attend a meeting. Each person's presence is valued; 3) Start and end on time; 4) Speak from our spirits and hearts, not just our heads; .5) Follow format established for the group; 6) Honor a structure that allows everyone equal chances to talk or to pass (no interrupting).; 7) Be an active listener (one who focuses on what others say rather than anticipating our next turn).; 8) Be respectful in interactions; 9.) Share our experiences without giving advice.; 10) Respect confidentiality.; 11) Be welcoming to and active in orienting new members to the group; 12) Maintain the integrity of the group by attending faithfully; 13.) Refrain from bringing guests. If you want to consider becoming a part of a future SGM group, contact Martha Elliott (774-5601, marth_zach@yahoo.com).