Small group ministries known as “Covenant Groups” are designed to help us build stronger relationships with each other and strengthen the fabric of the community of which we are all a part.
A Covenant Group is made up of six to twelve people who meet regularly to give each other intentional and meaningful opportunities to connect in the context of Unitarian Universalism. Group members offer support to one another as they meet to explore individual stories of faith and spiritual topics of interest.
Each group develops its own style, but in general follows a format that begins with an uplifting reading from a Unitarian Universalist source followed by a personal check-in time. The heart of the meeting is the sharing that comes when participants share stories and questions of meaning from the well-springs of their own lives. Groups can initiate and explore spiritual themes of their own choice as well as depend on provided materials covering a wide range of topic such as loss, wonder, yearnings, God, living simply, money and spirituality, community, love, death, friendship, etc. This discussion is followed by a time for feedback and a closing reading.
Early in the groups’ formation, participants are asked to create and agree to abide by a set of covenants. The primary covenant is about procedures for the group and how members will treat each other. A second covenant is that every group is always open to new members. Agreements on how to welcome newcomers and how to form new groups when the group grows too large are expected. The third covenant is that the group will engage in one act of service of the group's choosing within or outside the church sometime during the year.
All groups are facilitated by conveners who are trained by and meet regularly with the ministers.
Groups can be joined at anytime during the church year (September to May) and are open to all First Unitarian Church of Oakland members and friends.
Meetings – When? Where? How long?
Most groups meet in people’s homes on a rotating basis, although several groups have chosen to meet in the church. You need not be able to host a meeting to join a group. Groups are encouraged to meet twice a month for the first three months, then decide together on an ongoing schedule. Meetings last no longer than two hours. Once a year, usually in the fall, group members will be asked if they want to recommit to the same group or be placed in another.
How to Join a Covenant Group -- Contact office@uuoakland.org.