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Rev. Tom Owen-Towle, in his writing on Men’s
groups has noted the human need for intimacy and ultimacy. A
Small Group Ministry program in your congregation can help meet
these needs. Small groups are an ideal way to provide newcomers
and long-term members with a venue where they can explore their
relationship with themselves, the world and that which is of
ultimate value in their lives.
Many Unitarian Congregations are developing
Small Group Ministry programs, in which small groups gather
regularly to discuss various topics; designed to foster group
intimacy and to support individuals in their spiritual journey.
In many congregations the groups work on the
‘cell division’ model. Once a group reaches about 10 members
(groups are always open to newcomers) it will support the
creation of a new group. Each group has an assigned facilitator
and a co-facilitator and an apprentice facilitator, so that as
new groups form, experienced and supported facilitators are
available.
The Rev. Bob Hill, the Executive Director of
the South West District of the Unitarian Universalist
Association, has been a leader in this work within our
denomination. His web page link,
http://www.swuuc.org/Bob%20Hill/Bob%20Hill's%20Page.htm
has many resources as well as an opportunity to subscribe to an
electronic Covenant Group Newsletter.
If your congregation is thinking about
starting Covenant Groups or a Small Group Ministry program,
resources and support are available from the CUC. Contact Laura
McNaughton
, Director of Regional Services – West
Laura@cuc.ca
or Linda Thomson, Director of Regional Services – East
linda@cuc.ca
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