I’ve always said that I would not be a Unitarian Universalist if it weren’t for the incredible teenagers who were part of the congregation in San Francisco. It was a critical time in my life when I first gathered the courage to set foot in a UU congregation, and I had the hardest time feeling like I belonged.
After months of trying to have any kind of conversation with anyone who wasn’t a newcomer like me, I was ready to give up. Then, on what I decided would be my last Sunday if I didn’t make some kind of connection, the Coming of Age group led the most wonderful worship service. I thought “any congregation that can nurture and honor the spiritual lives of such insightful and creative youth is a congregation I want to be part of.”
So, I stuck it out.
I’ve always also said that I wouldn’t be a UU minister now if it weren’t for Small Group Ministry in that same congregation.
Sometimes I think we should use the trademark symbol in talking about Small Group Ministry. They were a new thing in UU congregations in those days, a way of making large churches feel small and intimate; a way for allowing newbies like me to find their place; a way for everyone to go deeper into conversation with each other and practice the fine art of deep listening.
In the last 22 years I’ve been part of dozens of congregations in different capacities, as member, guest preacher, affiliated community minister, minister’s spouse, and three different kinds of hired minister. From each congregation I’ve learned two important lessons: every congregation adapted Small Group Ministries in their own ways, and every congregation absolutely needs small groups (minus the trade mark symbol) to survive.
At UUCSC, my understanding is that there are small group ministries, covenant groups, and affinity groups.
Since my arrival six short weeks ago, in nearly every meeting with more than one person, at least one person mentions the need for more engagement with small groups. While I haven’t yet decoded the commonly accepted understanding of the verbiage describing the different groups, I couldn’t agree more.
That’s why I want to nurture engagement in groups. All groups. Committees. Adult and youth religious education classes. Coffee hour. Choir. Book groups. Social justice groups. Beverages and Banter. Everything.
And so, I want you to know that as we figure out how to navigate this Covid world, in which some people must stay at home to be safe while others are itching to get back into the sanctuary together, it’s going to be a priority to provide more opportunities for small group engagement. Because all engagement is good engagement, especially when we are open and honest and come prepared to listen.
Please. Join us for online coffee hour. Join us for Beverages and Banter on Zoom. Meet with your friends from the congregation, online or in person if you feel safe. And when you do so, take the time beforehand to invite someone who would enjoy the company or may be struggling to find a sense of belonging. Because that’s how we build the community and make it strong and live out our covenant to help one another.
Whatever we call our groups, they’re here to serve everyone. So spread the word!
In Peace,
Rev Denis
