Welcome to COVENANT CIRCLES at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship!
Welcome to our circles of community, spiritual journeying and exploration. Long time members and new friends are invited to participate in our Covenant Circles program that will offer a chance to make deeper connections with a small group of people and, ultimately, with our congregation as a whole.
I will be meeting with a group of trained facilitators in our own Covenant Circle, and they in turn will be leading circles on various themes with all who wish to join.
May we grow smaller as we grow larger!
Rev. Alison B. Miller
Covenant Circles Kickoff Dinner, Sunday, October 7, 5:30-8:00 PM. Childcare Provided.
(legal-sized)
(letter-sized)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A COVENANT CIRCLE? A Covenant Circle is a small group of people who meeting regularly to explore spiritual questions. Each circle is built around a particular interest, area for exploration or affinity.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN EACH CIRCLE? The ideal group size is eight to ten people, including the facilitator. Maximum size if twelve. Minimum is four plus the facilitator.
HOW OFTEN DO WE MEET? Each circle will meet at least once a month at MUF, or in members’ homes if a quiet, private space is available. Sessions are typically scheduled to last for 1 ½ to two hours.
WHAT IS A COVENANT? A covenant is a commitment that the group makes to each other and to the congregation. Each Circle creates its own covenant including agreements about how they treat each other, confidentiality, and other ways in which they create safe space within the group. The covenant also includes the group’s commitment to engaging in some kind of service to MUF or the larger community during their time together.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A COVENANT CIRCLE MEETING? The format of Circle meetings is consistent across all groups and follows the following sequence:
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? or What do you need to leave behind for a couple of hours in order to be fully present here?
Focus of the Gathering: The topic of discussion or activity will vary based on the purpose of the group. The focus is more on sharing than on debating. A paragraph or two at the beginning lays out the specific topic for the session and presents questions that will elicit thoughtful discussion and significant reflection.
Check-out / Process Check: Each person says a few words about how he/she is feeling as the meeting ends and about how the session went for him/her.
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 are MUF members who have been chosen and trained by the minister to facilitate the life of the group. They guide the group in creating their group’s 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 process. He/she also attends a monthly Covenant Circle composed of the facilitators and the minister.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A COVENANT CIRCLE PARTICIPANT? Participants are expected to attend as many sessions as possible and to let the facilitator know if they have to miss. They participate in some kind of service activity during the year with the other members of their circle. They help to create the Circle’s Covenant and honor the commitment that they make to the group.
HOW WERE THE CIRCLES BE FORMED? Everyone with an interest in joining a Covenant Circle will complete a form selecting a circle of interest Circles will be formed on a first come, first service basis.
HOW LONG DOES THE CIRCLE STAY TOGETHER? The commitment to a Covenant Circle is for eight months – beginning in November and ending in June. New Circles will be formed next October.
Copyright © 2008 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Page last updated July 5, 2008