One source of inspiration for Unitarian Universalists is human experience, including listening to the wisdom found in the stories of our fellow congregants’ lives. The Community Circles we are launching in January provide one way to engage this practice. You can sign up to join a preview session coming up in person this Sunday at noon, on Zoom this Sunday at 4:30 p.m., or on Zoom this Tuesday at 7 p.m.
While it is wonderful to feel the energy of hundreds of people online and together in person on a Sunday morning, it is harder to get to know each other in that context. I have heard from many of you in the sixteen months since my arrival that you are longing to have opportunities to make new connections and to have experiences of renewal and spiritual growth. Small group ministries, like Community Circles, provide us with a group of people to practice sharing and listening, learning and growing together.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY CIRCLE?
A Community Circle is a small group of people who meet regularly to explore spiritual questions for a defined period of time. Community Circles will provide opportunities for getting to know each other, short spiritual practices, brief readings for inspiration and grounding, and ample opportunity to share the wisdom that comes out of the stories and experiences of our lives. Each circle is built around a particular interest, area for exploration, or affinity.
This year, the topics each month will center on six values, which spring from our annual spiritual theme: “Love is at the Center.” They are generosity, justice, pluralism, interdependence, equity, transformation. After the sixth session, our circles will have a seventh celebratory social gathering.
A circle can be a circle open to anyone or an affinity circle, such as parents, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, retired, young adults, etc.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN EACH CIRCLE?
The ideal group size is six to ten people, including the facilitator.
HOW OFTEN DO WE MEET?
Each circle will meet at least once a month at First Unitarian Portland, or in members’ homes if a quiet, private space is available or on Zoom. Sessions are typically scheduled to last for two hours.
WHAT IS A COVENANT?
A covenant is a set of guiding commitments that each member of the circle promises to follow in the group’s interactions. Each Circle creates its covenant, including agreements about how they treat each other, confidentiality, and other ways to create safe and sacred space within the group.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A COMMUNITY CIRCLE MEETING?
The format of Circle meetings includes:
Opening Words: Gathering people into the circle, focusing the group and, often, reflecting the topic of the evening. Most groups will light a Chalice, as well.
Check-in: Each participant is asked to become present by briefly answering a question such as, What’s on your mind today? What must you leave behind for a couple of hours to be fully present here?
Diving In: Listening & Sharing: The topic of discussion or activity will vary based on the purpose of the group. The focus is more on sharing than on debating. Readings, spiritual practices, and other activities will lead to the topic for the session. Questions for reflection will be offered to elicit thoughtful discussions.
Check-out / Process Check: Each person says a few words about how he/she/they are feeling as the meeting ends and about how the session went for him/her/them.
Closing Words: A brief inspirational reading brings the formal session to an end. Groups are encouraged to start and end on time.
WHAT DOES THE FACILITATOR DO?
Facilitators can host at the church, at home, or on Zoom. Facilitators are active members or friends who are equipped and trained by a minister to facilitate the group’s life. They guide the group in creating their covenant; they remind people of the next meeting and contact group members who miss a meeting; they make sure the group begins and ends on time; they lead the group in discussions about the process. They attend Community Circle Facilitators Group meetings.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A COMMUNITY CIRCLE PARTICIPANT?
Participants are expected to attend as many sessions as possible and to let the facilitator know if they have to miss. They help to create the Circle’s Covenant and honor the commitments that they make to the group.
HOW LONG DOES THE CIRCLE STAY TOGETHER?
The commitment to a Community Circle is to meet six times – beginning in January and ending in the summer. Plus, the invitation to have a seventh celebratory social gathering at the end – or, to have a celebration as part of an extended sixth circle.
May our circles launching next month help us to grow in community and in spirit!
In faith,
Rev. Alison