About Small Group Ministry Committee

The Small Group Ministry Committee works to ensure the vitality of the UUCC Small Group Ministry program as it furthers the mission of the church. Responsibilities and Activities:

1. Assisting the SGM Committee Chair, particularly in maintaining contact and working out issues that may arise in groups or the program
2. Recruiting and supporting leaders for Small Group Ministry (group leaders, facilitators, topic writers);
3. Maintaining regular contact with SGM groups through their group leaders, and offering support and information
4. Updating, creating, and revising the sessions, handbook, and other materials used by Small Group Ministry
5. Ensuring open access to and making information about SGM available to the broader church community
6. Offering new opportunities to explore SGM, such as Sunday Open Groups and potlucks and workshops.

 POLICY STATEMENT

SGM and Input for Congregational Work—from Leadership Meeting February 13, 2022

SGM is a convenient way to elicit input regarding work of the congregation, which differs from the focus of ongoing meetings. We discussed some guidelines for doing this to ensure the benefit for both types of involvement by SGM.

The focus of SGM meetings is bonding (intimacy) and deeper exploration of a topic (ultimacy) with the intent of enhancing our own understanding. There is no expectation that there will be agreement among the participants on the details or focus. In fact, diversity and inclusivity are encouraged. There is no attempt to capture who expresses what opinion. Taking notes of discussion is not part of SGM process.

Involving SGM participants in a discussion around a specific topic is appropriate as SGM members are often actively involved and interested in the work of the congregation -- in a  session that is specific to that discussion (such as Listening Circles) and does not interfere with the general SGM meeting purpose and flow.

In requesting such feedback, please have a designated recorder and the collection of information is clear to everyone involved. It needs to be clear whether and how names of participants are used.

The concern: Make sure that the reason for the meeting is clear, and what is expected. The two reasons for a meeting are appropriate – but separate. We would also like to ensure that the Listening Circles do not interfere with the usual schedule for SGM groups.