artwork by Sandy Aska

UU Covenant Groups

COMMITMENT to a shared spiritual journey

In CONNECTION with others

W elcome to the Covenant Group experience at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus!

Check back in Autumn 2008 when new Covenant groups will be forming. Below you will find a detailed explanation of the program, and contact information for further questions.

The Covenant Group Community

The Covenant Group Program has become a vital and active form of Small Group Ministry at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus. Small Group Ministry is a network of small groups comprised of church members who come to rely on one another for support and companionship during their spiritual journeys through life. These groups are bound to one another and to the church by the mission and vision they share and by the guidance of the ministers.  By joining in a Covenant Group, you should expect to better appreciate your own spiritual journey, feel more strongly connected to this church and its congregation, and participate in shared service activities that are meaningful to you and to the community.

The Covenant Group Connection

The program design encourages personal sharing, deep listening and structured crosstalk.  Limiting group size to ten members, who meet in participants’ homes or at the church, helps to create an intimate setting in which equal participation and open communication are honored.  All kinds of people with all kinds of personalities thrive in this setting.  For both new and existing members, Covenant Groups are an ideal way to get to know others in the First UU community, as well as to see familiar faces in a new light. Participants often report feeling better connected and happier with their lives after taking part in the program.  However, Covenant Group meetings are not group therapy, or a religion course, or a replacement for Sunday worship.

The Covenant Group Commitment

Registration represents a commitment of time.  Meetings are two hours long, usually twice a month.  The time involved in shared service activities depends on decisions you help make in your group.  Beyond that, no additional time is needed.  Because the Covenant Group experience unfolds over the course of several months, you are asked to commit to a minimum of six months participation.

Establishing a Covenant

A “covenant” is a solemn agreement, a set of promises made to one another. During the initial meetings, group members enter into a covenant together, often involving commitments to arrive on time, listen deeply, share honestly and respect one another's views. In the long tradition of our UU heritage, groups will also explore covenants made with the congregation and with the community.  Each group creates its own covenant.  Below is a sample covenant, created by a First UU Covenant Group.

OUR COVENANT

The Covenant Group Meeting

Meetings are focused around a collection of topics that may include religious histories, spiritual practices, loneliness, fear, loss, poetry, music, healing, and community service. A typical session includes opening words, a check-in, topic exploration and discussion, personal reactions, and closing words. The core curriculum has been designed to follow a clear developmental trajectory from the opening meeting to the final reflective session.

Covenant Group Service

One of the goals of the program is for group members to deepen their exploration of how service fits into their spiritual journey.  To this end, all Covenant Groups engage in at least one shared service activity.  This achieves the dual goal of reaching out to the wider community and strengthening the bonds between group members.

The Covenant Group Facilitator

Trained facilitators help establish a supportive setting for the group. They make sure the group begins and ends on time and they keep track of the meeting schedule. During the meeting, facilitators introduce the topic and, if needed, encourage discussion. They will help the group coordinate its service projects.  They also meet at regular times with the Covenant Group Steering Team and with each other to foster a sense of connection between individual groups and the larger church. 

Joining a Covenant Group

Annual registration takes place every September for groups starting in October.  Group membership is assigned, and the major factor governing your placement in a group is your time availability.  Beyond that the goal is to provide a diverse and balanced experience for all participants. During the registration period, you can register at this website or after Sunday services in Fellowship Hall.  You can also pick up a registration form by the Covenant Group poster in the church entryway.  There is an additional registration period in January, where participants are assigned to existing or newly formed groups.

Inquiring About Covenant Groups

The members of the Covenant Group Steering Team would be happy to answer any additional questions and discuss how the Covenant Group experience may fit into your own spiritual journey.

Wendy Fish: WendyFish@FirstUUColumbus.org, 267-4946 ext. 23

Nina Lewis: ninal@columbus.gov, 987-5000

Donna Greenman: dgreenman@columbus.rr.com, 898-5825

Kathy Ritchey: Ritkm0723@aol.com

Bob Aldridge: baldridge0307@yahoo.com, 875-6379

Jeannie Sperling: jsperling@columbus.rr.com , 431-7235

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

“I look forward to spending time with my group, in talking and especially in the stillness.”

“I feel that my story is heard. No one interrupts me. No one questions my motives or my words. Instead they share the memories, feelings, and hopes my story has stirred in them.”

“Being a new member, this has been a great way for me to feel more connected.”

“Our time together feels special. The way we treat one another, the sacred setting, even the fact that I know my group members will show up each meeting and even be on time! That is special.”

“I am astounded at the swiftness and depth of connection within our group.”

“I am so grateful for the format. I have trouble controlling my urge to comment and sometimes I dominate conversation, but the format prevents this from happening and I'm learning to listen more deeply.”