Small Group Ministry
At Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Echoing our Fellowship’s mission, the purpose of Chalice Circles is to nurture our individual religious journeys, foster new and deeper relationships, and inspire us to act on our ethical values.

Deepening our Faith . . .

What is a Chalice Circle?

The Chalice Circle is a group of six to ten people who meet twice a month with a trained facilitator to explore matters of personal and spiritual significance. The small group structure allows for exploration and sharing in ways that simply are not possible in an hour at church on Sunday morning.

What happens at a Chalice Circle?

The content and format is the same for all groups, to serve as a unifying factor in the congregation. Meetings last two hours. There is an opening reading and chalice lighting, check-in, a brief reading on the session’s topic, and then sharing on the topic with provocative questions to deepen the conversation. The meeting concludes with another reading. Topics include such subjects as Spiritual Timelines, Imperfection, Forgiveness, Home, Fear, Solitude, Service, Building Community…an almost limitless list!

Who facilitates?

Facilitators are chosen and trained by the minister, with assistance from the Chalice Circle Team.Facilitators assure a safe space for conversation and keep the discussion on track. Future facilitators will mostly be chosen from existing groups. They meet monthly with the minister for ongoing support.

Forging Connections

Why do we have Chalice Circles?

Many of us yearn for a deeper connection with one another than Sunday morning conversation or committee work provides. We want to explore questions of meaning and do something to spur our spiritual development. Such groups have allowed evangelical mega-churches to become very large, while still providing deep personal connections among their members. UUs have adapted the concept to our liberal sensibilities and now a majority of UU congregations offer small group ministry.

When and where?

At present, we expect to offer sessions starting in the fall, in the late winter, and in summer. Some groups meet in members’homes at various corners of Clark County, and some meet at the Fellowship. Both evening and daytime sessions are available. For some the location is more important; for others the time slot.

How do I sign up?

Sign-ups for the next session will begin three weeks ahead of the first meeting and will be announced in The Servetan and Sunday bulletin. If you arrive mid-session and want to join a group, contact our secretary, Donna Aase, at the Fellowship office (695-1891 or msuuf@pacifier.com). She will try to find an opening for you.

Chalice Circle Options…Fall, 2004

• 2nd and 4th Sundays at MSUUF at 1:00 p.m. —Facilitator to be assigned
• 2nd and 4th Sundays at MSUUF at 6:30 p.m.—Facilitated by Claudia Fredericks
• 1st and 3rd Sundays in Battleground at 6:30 p.m.—Facilitated by Kate Rae

• 2nd and 4th Mondays in Minnehaha area 7:15 p.m.—Facilitated by Penny Slingerland

• 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at MSUUF at 7:00 p.m.—Facilitated by Dave Irwin

• 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in Cascade Park at 7:00 p.m.—Facilitated by Donna Shaver

• 2nd and 4th Thursdays at MSUUF at 11 a.m.—Facilitated by Mary Knight

• 2nd and 4th Fridays in Uptown Village at 10 a.m.—Facilitated by Roberta Dianne

• 1st and 3rd Saturdays at MSUUF at 10 a.m.—Facilitated by Julee McTaggart
• 1st and 3rd Saturdays in Salmon Creek at 12:30 p.m.—Facilitated by Joy Overstreet

The Chalice Circle Covenant

Members of a Chalice Circle enter into a covenant with each other:

• To attend regularly, and to send word when we cannot attend,
• To learn and grow through honest personal reflection and sharing,
• To support others in their learning and growth through heartful listening and encouragement,
• To be anonymous and respectful in any sharing outside the group of what has been said in the group.

Groups keep an empty chair to symbolize a welcome for new group members, especially newcomers to the Fellowship or friends of members who might find the group a non-threatening entry into Unitarian Universalism.

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