One way to keep growing as an adult is to join a Covenant Group.
A Covenant Group is…
A circle of trust. It is a small group of six to nine people who meet together every two or three weeks for two hours. Each group has a trained facilitator who helps everyone to stay on track and leave room for the “shy soul to emerge.”
Members of the group take turns leading sessions on a variety of topics, using a standard format that helps to build comfort and trust.
Each Covenant Group agrees upon its own guidelines and covenant. They agree to do one service project together (large or small) each year. Groups meet at someone’s home or at the church. To join a group, contact the Covenant Group coordinator.
A Covenant Group is not…
A Covenant Group does not replace worship. Nor is it a therapy group, an adult RE course or a committee meeting. A Covenant Group complements and strengthens your other experiences at the Unitarian Church of Montreal. It provides an opportunity to seek spiritual growth, to get to know oneself and others better, and to live out one’s most deeply held beliefs and values.
A Covenant Group offers…
The opportunity to be heard and to learn to listen to others. It deepens connections to others within the church community. It enables you to set aside a special time for spiritual exploration and to dig deep into those questions that take you beyond your everyday self.
Joining a Covenant Group…
To join a group, contact the Covenant Group coordinator Prue Rains to sign up for a group that meets at a time that works for you. Once you join a group, you are expected to make a one-year commitment to attend regularly. Each fall, all Covenant Group members will be invited to review their relationship to their group and to either recommit to the same group, join a new group, or opt out. Of course, new members are always welcome throughout the year as space is available in the existing groups.
The Covenant Group format…
The Covenant Group format differs from that of a traditional discussion group. Its formal structure encourages an informality that allows people to get to know each other and develop trust.
- Opening Reading
- Chalice Lighting
- Check-in
- Group Discussion
- Check-out – “Likes and Wishes”
- Closing Reading
Each group uses the format in its own unique way to launch topics for exploration and deeper sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Covenant Groups
What kind of commitment must I make if I join?
Each group meets every two or three weeks for 2 hours. Some groups decide to meet more frequently. New groups form in the fall and decide whether they will meet through the summer or take a break and resume in September. If you join, we ask you to make regular attendance a commitment for a year. Each fall, you have the option to re-enroll in a group, join a new group or opt out.
What is check-in all about?
To start each session, each member has an opportunity to let the group know what is important in his or her life at that time. Sometimes check-ins can be focused on specific questions: What are the headlines in your life? How did you survive the holidays? At other times check-ins may be very loose.
What is the purpose of the service project?
The service project reflects our Unitarian Universalist mission to live out our values in the world. At the same time, it is a way to deepen relationships within the Covenant Group. Each group determines its own service project.
How are topics chosen for each meeting?
Each Covenant Group chooses its own topics. Each time the group meets, one of the members takes responsibility for choosing the topic. Facilitators help with resources. A broad range of areas and ideas may be covered, from reflecting on our spiritual and religious journeys, the seasons of our lives, to friendship and family roles in our culture.
What if I am shy about sharing my innermost thoughts?
Each group develops its own covenant around issues of confidentiality. In addition, facilitators are trained to help foster a trusting environment where no one is forced to share and each person’s comfort level with openness is respected.
