Covenant Groups
What is a Covenant Group?
Covenant groups are for meaningful connections between members of a group of up to 10 people who meet on a regular basis to establish and further themselves in community.
Purpose: To nurture the human spirit for a world made whole by bringing members together to share, develop friendships, and serve the larger community.
What happens during a 2 hour Covenant Group meeting?
Who leads the groups? Trained facilitators will make sure group meetings begin and end on time, and that the group establishes a covenant of behavior. All group members share the privilege and responsibility for helping the group function.
Who are the facilitators? Facilitators are UCE members who have participated in a Covenant Group and have committed and been trained to facilitate a group.
Where will the groups meet? Groups meet either virtually or in-person at UCE or a member’s home, depending on the group.
When will the groups meet? Long-term Covenant Groups typically meet once a month, some meet more frequently, for two hours. We offer Short-term Covenant Groups in the fall and in the spring. These groups run for six months, meeting once or twice a month for two hours at a time. Starting and ending each group on time is an important aspect to developing trust and fostering a feeling of safety.
How do groups serve the larger community? Each Covenant Group commits to do at least one service project of their choice for the congregation or larger community at least once a year.
Can couples be in the same group? That’s up to the couple. It is generally not recommended; however, it is not prohibited.
Will child-care be available? There is one Covenant Group for parents that makes childcare arrangements. Other groups do not offer childcare.
What is the commitment? When you join a Short-Term Covenant Group, you commit to not missing more than two sessions for the six-month period. Once you have participated in a Short-Term Covenant Group, or if you were in a Covenant Group in a different UU congregation, then you may join a Long-Term Covenant Group. Most groups meet on an on-going basis although you need not commit to meeting with the group forever. When you join a Long-Term Covenant Group, you commit to attending as frequently as possible. While absences are sometimes unavoidable, covenant means we make the group a priority in our lives and do our best to attend each session. Each Covenant Group also commits to do at least one service project of their choice for the congregation or larger community at least once a year.
Where can I learn more about Covenant groups? Contact Susan Carlton through Realm or Rev. Susan Frances at sfrances@ucevanston.org.
More than 100 people have participated in ongoing Covenant Groups since 2002; ask around and chances are good you’ll meet someone who’s been in a Covenant Group.
What do the Covenant Groups discuss? Many of the Covenant Groups use the materials from the monthly soul matters themes. Click here to see this year’s themes. Below are additional session resources that Covenant Groups are invited to explore.
Additional Session Resources
Here are some Covenant Group Sessions for facilitators to use as they wish. Some of these have been developed and used by facilitators of UCE covenant groups:
Here is the link to the Small Group Ministry site with hundreds of sessions designed by covenant groups in congregations around the country: