Covenant Groups

CLF online covenant groups are designed to build community amongst people in distant locations, providing the opportunity for deep listening and sharing, and for spiritual growth within a covenanted community. Participants agree to participate fully, and to listen and respond with respect and compassion.

Covenant groups use a structured format, with three-week sessions that include: opening reading, check-in, questions for reflection and sharing, discussion, likes/wishes (evaluation) and closing reading.

Covenant groups are limited in membership, and new members are added either periodically to existing groups, or through the creation of new groups as facilitators are available. To put your name on the waiting list for a Covenant Group, please contact our minister for lifespan learning, Lynn Ungar, at lungar@uua.org.

The CLF has established policies for the use of its email lists. If you have questions about the use or abuse of these lists, please refer to these policies.

Introduction to Online Small Group Ministry

Goals of Small Group Ministry are to develop a growing network of small groups that:

1. Draw us into mutual ministry of support and spiritual exploration.
2. Strengthen our congregation.
3. Deepen our understanding of Unitarian Universalist principles and values.
4. Continuously develop lay leadership.
5. Challenge us to action and spiritual growth.
6. Help members identify their own calling and expression of lay ministry.

Each three-week Covenant Group cycle usually consists of e-mail shared between all parties including:

1. Opening reading and introduction/naming of the topic (1 day)
2. Check-in (4 days)
3. Sharing in response to questions (6 days)
4. Discussion in response to sharing (6 days)
5. Likes and wishes (3 days)
6. Closing reading (1 day)

The responsibilities of leaders are:

1. Gather the group. Explain the rules and responsibilities of group members when a group is forming and meeting for the first time. Also remind group of responsibilities as required (such as when a new member joins).
2. Post various elements of the session to the CG list at appropriate times.
3. Facilitate the group process and interactions of group members, including encouraging less prolific members to write, reminding members of covenantal behaviors, and encouraging discussion as necessary.
4. Participate in CLF-covldrs group.
5. Encourage and facilitate the group’s stages, including adding members, releasing members, and birthing new groups.
6. Encourage mutual care-giving.
7. E-mail or, if necessary, phone group members when they miss a session and do not state they are not participating.
8. Contact cyberminister when the leader has knowledge of a situation requiring support beyond the scope of the covenant group.
9. Facilitate annual group self-assessment.
10. Look for potential new leaders within the group.
11. Develop or adapt new materials as interested.

Leaders and co-leaders may not:

1. Allow the group to function as a therapy session. (A therapy group focuses on advice giving and personal problem solving.)
2. Promote philosophies that are contrary to UU principles and values.
3. Allow disrespectful behavior within the group.
4. Use the group as a platform for the leader’s own perspective.
5. Use their authority for purposes that are not for the benefit of the group.

Each group member is expected to covenant to certain commitments:

1. Maintain basic UU principles.
2. Fully participate, including posting at least once for each check-in, discussion and likes/wishes time.
3. Be concise (not more than about 250 words for check-in, 450 words each for reflection and discussion and 200 words for likes/wishes).
4. Be present in mind and spirit.
5. Be open to knowing others; be open to knowing yourself.
6. Give respectful attention to the postings of others.
7. Maintain confidentiality unless permission to share personal information is given. (Information may be shared with CLF ministers and other group leaders if deemed necessary for the good of the individual or the group.)
8. Respect each other by honoring differences of opinion and asking permission to give advice.
9. Support each other.
10. Welcome new members to the group.
11. Commit to participate for at least 6 months.
12. Let the group know when you cannot post.

The group is expected to make certain commitments to each member:

1. Provide the opportunity to fully participate.
2. Provide the opportunity to be heard.
3. Contact a member when they do not participate.
4. Encourage deep sharing and attention to the words of others.

The CLF-covldrs group will:

1. Support one another in leading covenant groups.
2. Provide feedback and assistance in dealing with difficult situations.
3. Provide personal support for its members.
4. Set overall policy for Small Group Ministry, in consultation with the cyberminister.
5. Help to recruit additional leaders.

The cyberminister will:

1. Support and coordinate CG leaders.
2. Coordinate and/or develop CG materials and resources.
3. Intervene in situations that would benefit from ministerial support/authority.
4. Advertise CGs.
5. Consult with CG leaders in setting policy for SGM.
6. Serve as liaison between small group ministries and CLF staff.

The groups will grow through:

1. The addition of new members at 3 month intervals.
2. Creation of new groups through the recruitment of new group leaders. Most often new leaders will come from within the group.
3. When a new group is “birthed” the new leader will remain with the group, while the original leader starts a new group.