THE
ONE-PAGE CHALICE GROUPS:
COVENANT
GROUP MINISTRY MANUAL
First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin
Our purpose is to build community, learn to practice shared ministry and nurture our spiritual lives. We do this by adhering to six necessary, defining elements:
• SIZE – About 10 people. At least six, but no more than 11. Whenever a group drops below 10 or so, they welcome a new person. To symbolize those who have not found a Chalice Group yet, each open group includes an Empty Chair.
• FREQUENCY of meeting – Once (at least) or twice a month, or every three weeks, in someone's home or at church if there is a quiet, private, living-room-like setting available regularly.
• FORMAT – Combine worshipful and/or centering readings and personal check-in periods at the start and at the end. (See the every-meeting Format on the reverse side.)
• FACILITATORS – One or two people chosen and trained by the minister or our Chalice Groups Coordinating Team. The minister and a coach then convene a covenant group for Facilitators so the training is ongoing and shared.
• COVENANT – By the second or third meeting, agree on how to be with each other, on what members are willing to promise each other to help make the group a positive experience. (For example, many groups covenant to listen without interruption.) Revisit this covenant often, especially when new members join the group.
• SERVICE – Agree on one service to perform for the church each year. Once a year: find a way of doing something beneficial in the larger community as a group. At FUS, groups will learn of some service projects from our Chalice Groups Coordinating Team, but are welcome to find their own if they prefer.
The Every-Meeting Format
OPENING READING: from a Unitarian Universalist source (this can be anything that is in keeping with our UU Principles and values). The back of our hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition , has many good readings. Lighting the chalice would normally accompany the reading.
CHECK-IN: Each person is asked to briefly state her/his answer to a question such as: What's on your mind today? How are you feeling? What do you need to leave behind for a couple of hours in order to be fully present here? As members of a group get to know each other, they may want to each share a joy or sorrow about their personal lives.
THE FOCUS OF THE MEETING: Whatever topic, session or activity the group prefers, as long as it is consistent with our Principles. The focus should be on sharing, not debating. It is a time for deep listening. Also, the focus of a Chalice Group gathering is always secondary to opportunities for deepening relationships among group members.
CHECK-OUT (LIKES & WISHES): The facilitator asks each person for a word or phrase that says something about how she or he is feeling as the meeting draws to an end or gives members a chance to say what they liked about the meeting and what they wish were
different. Check-out can also be used as a time for members to
assess how well the group followed its covenant.
CLOSING READING : Again, from a Unitarian Universalist source.
Extinguishing the chalice would accompany the reading.
Adapted by Elizabeth Barrett from Robert L. Hill's Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry: Saving the World Ten at a Time
