Welcome to Covenant Groups (Small Group Ministry) at University Unitarian Church.

What Is Covenant Group Ministry?

A Covenant Group is a small group of people (8-12) who meet twice a month to share thoughts, feelings, ideas, and life experience. Trained facilitators guide the sharing with prepared topics that provide a deeper sense of what offers meaning in our lives.

It is not a therapy group, but one may find emotional support there.

It is not a book club, but a book may provide a starting place, with topics and readings.

It is not a discussion or a debating society, but many diverse thoughts are likely to surface.

Think of a Covenant Group as a circle of trust, of deep listening and profound sharing.

Think of each session as a worship service centered on a spiritual topic, with opening and closing words, readings, and the lighting and extinguishing of the chalice.

What takes place during the process may be a deepened connection to one’s spirit and to one another.

To help illustrate the experience of Covenant Groups, we have attached a list of themes discussed at Covenant Group gatherings from 2004 to 2009. We have also attached the detailed outlines of two sample themes from gatherings in 2008-09.

• Archive of Covenant Group Themes (PDF)
• Sample Theme: Silence (PDF)
• Sample Theme: The Now (PDF)

For more information about Covenant Groups, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Signing Up for a Covenant Group

If you are new to UUC, or desire a deeper connection to your fellow UUs, or you are looking for a different aspect of UUC, consider joining a Covenant Group. The commitment is to regular attendance at twice monthly two-hour meetings from mid-October to early June. Each group will carry out two brief service projects, one for UUC and one for the larger community. This program is provided free of charge because it is part of the church ministry.

To enroll, complete the covenant group sign-up form or visit the Covenant Group information table on Sunday in Nathan Johnson Hall between services during September and January. For more information, contact Jan Woodward and Anne Howells of Covenant Central.