Engagement Groups are intentional self-led small groups that deepen and expand the congregation's service to its members and the world

Engagement Groups offer the promise of Intimacy, Ultimacy and Growth. 

• Intimacy: Engagement Groups build community and provide opportunities for deeper relationships.
• Ultimacy: Engagement Groups provide an opportunity for deeper spiritual exploration and search for meaning.
• Growth:  Engagement Groups have the potential to grow congregations in generosity, cooperation, and sense of well-being.as well as in numbers. They also provide opportunities to grow leaders, as group members become facilitators.
  

Agreement or 'covenant' among the participants

An Engagement Group covenant is a set of relational ground rules or agreed-upon behaviors of how participants will be with each other.  It creates a safe environment and enables a small group to build friendships and share spiritual exploration. Ground rules typically include time management, commitment, respectful listening, confidentiality, and speaking from one's own experience ("I" statements). Reviewing and restating the covenant frequently is important, especially at meetings when the group is new and when there are new members.

In addition, the group also makes a commitment to:

• engage in service to the congregation and larger world and
  
• welcome new members to the group or to the programme overall

The Groups

Groups of 6-10 members, including the facilitator, meet once or twice each month. Members are usually asked to commit for a set minimum period of time - usually six months.   It is expected that groups will change over time by adding new members and/or by forming new groups. An 'empty chair' is often included at each meeting symbolizes including people who are not yet participating.

Group Leadership

The Meeting Facilitator is a member of the group who, using basic facilitation skills, leads the meetings and assists with upholding the model and group agreement/covenant. These functions can be done by one or several people. Leaders meet with the minister for support and training.

Session Plans

A session plan is a guide for the time together and a springboard for discussion. The Standard Format includes:

• An opening reading and chalice lighting
• A check-in during which each person is asked to briefly answer a question such as, “What's most on your mind today?” “What do you need to leave behind in order to be fully present here?”
• A time for the focus or purpose of the meeting. The nature of the interaction should be more on sharing than on debating. The topic for each session may be developed through a reading or readings, music, and/or evocative questions.
• The closing check-out. The facilitator asks each person for a word or phrase that says how she or he is feeling as the meeting draws to an end.
• A closing reading

 Session plans will be provided by the minister. Groups are, of course, free to create their own!

Gratitude: This page borrows heavily from "Basic Elements of Unitarian Universalist Small Group Ministry", a document produced by the UU Small Group Ministry Network, a site at which many helpful resources may be found.