A small Discussion group is a group of 6 to 12 people who meet together once or twice a month for some discussion or common activity, but mostly to get to know each other and share each other’s company. Each time the group meets they will share a brief centering or a moment of worship, take time to check in with each other, and then have a discussion or do an activity together. Each group, once established, will agree together on its expectations and rules. Each season, a new set of groups will be started.

If you have ever felt a desire to know more people at First Unitarian, joining a covenant group is an excellent way to make that a reality.

“I call that church free which brings individuals into caring, trusting fellowship.”

- James Luther Adams

A Typical Group Meeting

• Lighting a candle.
• Sharing a reading. From one of our Hymnals.
• Check-In. Each member tells briefly of important events in their life, receiving the group’s undivided attention.
• Group Work. Either a discussion or an activity.
• Check Out. One sentence from each member of how they feel at the end of the meeting.
• To come to know others more deeply,
• And to be more fully known yourself,

Small Groups 2004

Small groups are ways to get involved at First Unitarian. Some are a short-term commitment; others are continuing groups. Before and after the worship service on October 10th, there will be an opportunity to ask about and sign up for Small Groups in the Bancroft Room. On October 17th, there will a second chance to sign up before the service. A great way to get involved !

Peace / Global Citizenship Discussions
What does it mean to be a Global Citizen and work for peace and justice in this troubled world? How do concerned citizens work toward peaceful resolutions of conflict locally, nationally and globally? If you are interested in exploring these issues with others in the church, please sign up.

(Facilitator yet to be discovered.)

Sudanese Partnership Network

These are people who want to provide compassionate support and assistance to the 18 young Sudanese refugees, now without families, who fled civil war in their homeland and make Worcester their home. Needs include mentoring, tutoring, transportation, ESL training, help with educational and career goals, and fundraising. If you can do even one small thing, we welcome your involvement.

Facilitators: Heather Souare (978-422-3214) and Marjorie Ropp (508-752-8373)

Discussions about Being ‘Family Friendly’

What does it mean to be a ‘Family Friendly’ church? How can we minister to the needs of families of all ages? This is an invitation to take part in one or two future discussions with other interested church families. Facilitator: Peter Gray

Holiday Generosity Team

How can we make the holidays a time of hope and happiness for those in the Worcester community who don’t have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays? This is an invitation to become involved in selecting and coordinating projects of generous giving around the holidays. Families are especially invited to sign up together for this. (Facilitator yet to emerge.)

Life Stories: Sharing Our Heritage
Each person's background is unique and worth sharing. With a goal of knowing one another on a somewhat deeper level, we will explore, share and compare specific life experience topics in an open-ended discussion. For example:

The group will be greatly enriched with intergenerational participation.

We will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. every other week for 1 ½ hours at the church, beginning early November.

Minimum of six. Convener: Helen Campbell.

Winter Playgroup

It’s getting chilly out there! Parents and pre-school children are welcome to join us on Thursday mornings, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Unity Hall. Our mornings of fun begin October 14th. Drop in any week and come play. If you have any questions, call Kate at (508) 853-9482.

Evolution & Diversity at First Unitarian

Is evolution occurring at our church? If so, how? Our church opens its doors to a wide variety of spiritual seekers. We attempt to be a congregation of diversity in unity. This is an integral approach to religion. We welcome traditional believers from the major world religions, those that embrace a rational approach to spirituality, existentialists struggling with the notion of meaning, contemplatives seeking Oneness and those who recognize the validity of all of these paths.

What we are attempting is a very new emergent in human history. Is this the result of evolution? In this group we will explore how such a diverse group can live together in relative harmony under one roof. Let's find out if we truly are evolving. Perhaps we might discover that there is more to evolution than a little DNA. Convener: Jeffrey Bailey.

Young-ish Seekers Group

If you are thirty-five or under, or just feel like you are, we urge you to join us for fellowship and soul food. We'll use the Evensong book to explore spiritual questions and get to know each other better. We may also plan some social outings in Worcester or Boston. This is a great way to grow some roots in our wonderful church. One Thursday night a month.

Convener: Brooke Belcher

Reaching the Three-Quarter Mark

For those of us who are about 3/4 of the way through our lives, perhaps contemplating retirement or already retired, or just realizing your life's goals are not the next rung on the ladder. What really matters now as we re-discover, re-invent, re-create our lives? How do we navigate the sticky areas of family obligations and duty, remembering how to have fun, preserving our connections to community after our professional contacts change, maintaining our self-esteem, etc? How can our spiritual lives be of help?

Eight meetings, every other week, Mon, Tues or Wed morning, or Tues evening.

Facilitators: Sue Stafford and Helen Wright.

Non-Christians at First Unitarian:
From Welcome Guests to Full Ownership

An inquiry for anyone with no Christian cultural background. Our church proclaims an interfaith mission, yet honors its Christian heritage and traditions. How do we feel about this and why? How can we feel like we too own this church?

Initial convener: Nathaniel Needle.

Men’s Fellowship Group

Provides a setting in which men of the church can get to know one another well and develop lasting friendships. The group meets about twice a month and engages in a wide variety of activities, ranging from indoor fireside discussions to outdoor adventures. For more information contact:

Peter Gray, grayp@bc.edu, 508-753-1797, or Eduardo Morales, aswegrow@aol.com, 508-791-4684.

Environmental Committee

The environmental committee is a group of people who aim to be more self-consciously active in protecting and repairing the environment. They have been exploring environmental issues in the practices of the church, itself. Vivian Shortreed (508-799-9750)