Evergreen Covenant Circles
Covenant Circle
~ Penny Shively, Coordinator
For the past few months, I’ve been focusing on the nine Covenant Circles we have at Evergreen. This month I’d like to connect our groups to the larger movement in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Did you know that many if not most of the UU churches in the United States are involved in small group ministries? They go by many names: Covenant Groups, Chalice Groups, Chalice Circles, just to name a few.
All, however, follow the same format and are dedicated to the threefold purposes of Small Group Ministries (SGM): Intimacy, Ultimacy, and Efficacy. These purposes are intended to create healthy communities in our congregations.
If you’re traveling this summer, you might like to visit one or more UU churches and talk to people about their Small Group Ministries.Bring back any ideas you think would strengthen our groups at Evergreen. If you’d like to explore this movement in a bit more depth, you can browse the UU Small Group Ministry Network at www.smallgroupministry.net and see what’s happening around the country.
Of course, the best way to find out about this movement is to join one of the Covenant Circles here at Evergreen. New members are always welcome and it’s easy to join. Just contact Penny Shively OR sign up at the Information Table in Beaman Hall, and Penny will contact you! We hope you’ll join us.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Six frequently asked questions
about Evergreen Covenant Circles
- Who can join? Any Evergreen member and friend who would like to join a Covenant Circle can join a Covenant Circle!
- What are they? Covenant circles are small groups of no more than 10 people who meet once or twice a month in a small, facilitated group to share experiences and to deepen their spiritual journeys together.
- When can I join? Any time! Sign-ups for Covenant Circles are ongoing, so whenever you’d like to join one, you may.
- Where do they meet? Some meet at the Fellowship, while many others meet in homes in locales throughout our North Snohomish community.
- Why should I join? It’s a wonderful chance to get to know well other Evergreen members and friends, to form a small community together, and to learn from each other in sessions designed by our minister Rev. Bruce Davis.
- How do I join? It’s easy. Please contact Penny Shively. She’ll connect you with a group in your area that meets when you can attend.
There is always an open chair.
Come, come, whoever you are.
What people at Evergreen say about Covenant Circles
I feel that I can explore with others my deepest spiritual self.
I finally feel that I’m being heard and accepted as myself.
I would never miss a Covenant Circle.
We’ve been hungry for just this kind of group at Evergreen.
Covenant Circles are contributing to the Futures Committee,
especially concerning the spiritual growth we’d like to see here.
This Circle has become a spiritual practice for me.
Our Covenant Circle is the BEST!