Small Group Ministry Unitarian Society of Hartford

Small Group Ministry (June 01)

An exciting new program is underway for our USH adults. Already over 80 members are participating, including 12 hosts and 12 facilitators, and more are signing up all the time!

Each group consists of 6–10 members, who meet about twice a month to discuss the same topic which all the other Small Ministry Groups are discussing, so there is a kind of “universal” experience between the groups. The concept of the “empty chair” is important ... that there is room for others to join, though when the group gets larger than 10 it's probably time to think of spinning off.

Topics are given to the groups by the minister. Typically, a reading is used to help focus the group. In April one of the topics discussed was “work.”

These sessions are meant to inspire and open our minds, but they are not designed to be substitutes for group therapy. Therefore, there are no expectations that the discussion will be kept private unless your group negotiates it that way. Each group sets its own parameters on convenient meeting dates, refreshments, and other basic preferences..”

Four “Work” questions posed to the groups were ...

• Do you work for money or personal fulfillment?

• How does your attitude towards work differ from that of your parents? Grandparents? Children?

• Are you happy in your work? Or, if you do not work outside the home, are you happy at home?

• Is it more important to be practical or creative?

Louise Miller's group meets Monday nights in Simsbury. She writes ... Our group discussions are akin to completing a puzzle without the cover of the puzzle box to guide us–thus forcing our minds to “work.” We explore the meaning of the topic as it relates to us personally, yet by the end of the session we have a picture that represents all of our group. When we discussed the topic “Work” our concepts varied depending upon our collective experiences. Work in the sense of efforts and income, in the sense of spirituality, in the sense of relationships, were just a few examples of what we discussed. Our group determined that work is growth– it is the process by which we are productive, in parts of our life. The work of our group has bonded us together ...

Bill Willett's group meets on Friday evenings at his home . He writes ... Our group consists of 3 couples and our Facilitator. Our ages range from mid-30's to late 70's. A wonderful mix of people. Most agreed that the word “work” has a pejorative connotation. Most of our group have jobs but are generally happy at what they do and, therefore, do not consider it “work,” whether they work at home or elsewhere. Also, mowing the lawn or other household chores can be considered work, but if enjoyed, would be described euphemistically as gardening, building things, picking up the house, something that brings satisfaction. Most agreed it is almost necessary these days for 2 parents to be employed in order to live the life-style they want. Our attitude towards work was not dissimilar to our parents attitude. Most of the group's parents were in professional fields.

Margaret Leicach facilitates the group which meets at the Meeting House on Saturday afternoons. She writes ... The gently structured mini-worship format encourages spiritual contemplation and personal sharing, discourages over-intellectualizing and ensures equal opportunity for all to participate. Two members of another SGM group came over to my table in a restaurant to share their reactions to their group's discussion of “work”. I was excited that the hope for inter-group sharing was beginning to be fulfilled. And the discussion helped me prepare materials for my own group before we encountered the topic.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 2/21/05)