Covenant Groups

What is a Covenant Group?

Do you have a fast-paced life, feel the need to slow down and concentrate on what is important to you, and communicate with others on a more meaningful level? Then Covenant Groups may be the answer you are looking for.

A Covenant Group is a small group of 8-10 people who commit (covenant) to meeting on a regular basis to:

    • Share spiritual struggles and growth

    • Deepen religious commitment

    • Form deeper, more intimate relationships

    • Minister to each other

    • Learn from each other

    • Find one’s spiritual voice

Why belong to a Covenant Group?

The intent of Covenant Groups is to meet individual needs for spiritual intimacy and connection and to strengthen and support the larger UUCD community. Covenant Groups foster community, learning, spirituality, and service all in one program.

Key to the Covenant Group experience is having a clear expectation of what the group is and is not. A Covenant Group is:

    • Supportive and yet not a support group or therapy;

    • Not a formal class and yet is an opportunity to learn from peers;

    • Reverent and yet is not a formal worship experience;

    • Not a social club and is still an opportunity to make and deepen friendships; and

    • Not pastoral care and yet it is caring.

How do Covenant Groups work?

Covenant Groups are guided by a facilitator using the following format:

    • Check-In – Time for each person to share how/where they are at that moment or what has been happening in their lives.

    • Opening Words – Inspirational reading related to the session topic, along with a chalice or candle lighting.

    • Topic/Discussion – A paragraph or two introduces the topic and presents questions that will elicit thoughtful discussion and reflection.

    • Likes and Wishes – A format for reflecting on the session; a time to share parting thoughts.

    • Closing words or ritual – A reading or ritual that brings the formal session to an end.

Interested in joining a UUCD Covenant Group?

To indicate your interest, please reply by email to contact@uucd.org -OR- phone (302) 233-7754.

More Information

For more information on Covenant Groups and small group ministry, see the Unitarian Universalist Association website: www.uua.org.