| Covenant Groups |
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What is a Covenant Group? A Covenant Group is a way to deepen your spirituality. An intentional small community is formed. Members and friends of the FVUUF who form a Covenant Group voluntarily commit to meeting on a regular basis with a defined structure and process. Ritual, discussion and reaching out to the wider community are part of Covenant Groups. The group agrees on the topics to explore which typically revolve around spirituality or paths to living a deeper, more purposeful life. Leaders for the groups are trained and supported. Why belong to a Covenant Group? The Adult Enrichment Committee provides ways to respond to the needs of our members for intimacy, a deeper sense of community and spiritual growth as the fellowship continues to become larger. Small Groups and Covenant Groups are two such ways. The intent of Covenant Groups is to meet individual needs for deepening spirituality, intimacy and connection in a growing congregation, and strengthen and support the larger community. What happens at a covenant Group meeting? Typically the meeting lasts about two hours. It begins with an opening reading. Then there is a group check-in. The group selects a topic that is consistent with the Purposes and Principles and the mission of the FVUUF. There is thoughtful discussion and significant reflection on the topic. The focus is on sharing rather than on debating. The meeting closes with a simple check-out by each person and a closing reading. Annually, each group agrees on a service to perform for the Fellowship and in the larger community. How do groups form? Our minister and Covenant Group Coordinator works with the Covenant Group Facilitators to add individuals who are interested in joining a Covenant Group. Group size is about 6-9 people. Who leads the meetings? Facilitators are chosen, trained, and supported by our minister and the Covenant Group Coordinator. Co-facilitators are selected to support each other and allow for a new group to form as the group grows. The facilitators handle the logistics of the meeting and meets with the minister and other facilitators to help maintain the connection between groups and the larger Fellowship. How often do groups meet? Meetings take place once a month. They are typically held at someone’s home. How long will I be in a group? The commitment to a group is open-ended with an annual renewal. You are encouraged to commit to a group for 3 months. After that, members stay with a group as long as it meets their spiritual needs. Occasionally members decide to leave their Covenant Group or join another group. Other times the group splits to form new groups. What is expected of participants? Participants are expected to bring a positive attitude and a willingness to share and to learn. They give the agreed upon meetings a high priority and make an effort to attend every meeting. They commit to the group’s covenants. How do I join a group? Print and complete the short application and return it to our minister, Rev. Dottie Mathews. If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact our minister or Fellowship member Rosie Geiser, Covenant Group Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it What Members are Saying About Their Covenant Group Experience. . . “For me, the Covenant Group has been a wonderful way to grow stronger connections to other FVUUF members and continue a strong connection to the Fellowship…(The group helps me) to recharge, unwind, regroup or slow down, whatever I need at that time for my spirit. The Covenant Group has been a good place to learn more about myself as well.” “In the busy-ness of my life, I value this connection and look forward to the monthly gatherings.” “I truly believe we each show up every month because of how badly we want to be there—to have a chance to reconnect with a supportive and loving community that is full of insight and mutual respect. Together, we have shared plenty of tears and laughter but, most especially, we have shared our hearts.” “The covenant group has promoted a richer spiritual life, through the close relatedness with others.” “I find our meetings a time of personal growth—a grounding, a way to make sense of the world.” |
