What is a Covenant Group?

Ever wonder what goes on in a covenant group? Several of our Circles of Life operate as a Covenant group.  No single description can characterize these different covenant groups, however they do have some commonalities.

Each covenant group is a center of trust and friendship. The group relies on a format that creates a sacred place infused with ritual and community. Usually a group meeting begins with an opening ritual that marks the beginning of the special time together and then a check-in period where people state what is on their mind. Next comes time for the topic of the meeting. People speak from their heart in response to a given topic. The meeting ends with a check-out where each person says something about their feelings as the meeting draws to a close. A closing ritual marks the end of the meeting.  The general format is that of the monthly Circles of Life Discussion Guide.

Covenant groups have found that sticking to a format allows each person to speak from their heart about what really matters to them and to go deeper as they share personal stories around central themes. Each group modifies and enhances the general format to reflect the preferences of its members. Some groups expect the facilitator to take responsibility for maintaining the essential format. Other groups rotate the responsibility among group members.

What is discussed in Covenant Groups?

The choice of topic for the meeting is another area where each group creatively expresses its uniqueness. Recent covenant group topics have included healing, forgiveness, failure, fear, Myers Briggs, advance directives, UU principles. One group organized several meetings around the topic of family – the good, the bad and old photos. Another group addressed the question, "What is the bravest thing you have ever done?" Their more recent meeting asked, "How have computers changed your life?"  They also use the monthly Circles of Life Discussion Guide.

Covenant groups do not always address serious topics. One group reports lots of laughter on their whimsy night. Another group had members writing an impromptu answer to the question, "If I were a musical instrument, what would I be?"

What are the requirements for a Covenant Group?

The covenant group format invites innovation. The only requirement is deep listening, and a willingness to address topics of intimacy and ultimacy.

Covenant groups also make covenants. One covenant is that of attendance and way of being with one another during the gathering. They also covenant to always be open to new people attending and when the group gets over 10 people, they work to form a new group that can take in new people. The hope is that as groups spin off new groups they make us a congregation of openness to forming new and caring relationships with all those that come through our doors. Covenant groups also covenant to do one service project for the congregation, and one for the greater community. These covenants help us express the deepest and truest part of being Unitarian Universalist.

Where can I find out more?

If you'd like to be part of a covenant group, email or call the congregational office and Cam will let you know the times and days when groups meet so you can start attending. You are invited to come once or twice to see if the group will work for you before you join in the covenants with the others. You do not need to be a member of UUFG to join a group. In fact, joining a group is an excellent way to learn about Unitarian Universalism if you are a visitor or newcomer to our community of faith.

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