Join Small Group Ministries
Our Small Groups are open to anyone- church members, friends, and visitors- who will attend the gatherings regularly and abide by the Small Group Ministries' ground rules. Contact us to join a group that will meet from now through May 2008.
Small Groups depend on regular attendance.
Part of what is so special about Small Groups is the bonds that form among group members. This deep caring for each other forms best when we see group members at each gathering. Consequently, we ask all Small Group participants to make attending each Small Group session a high priority in their lives.
Ground Rules ensure a safe, caring space for every member.
Each Small Group starts with a common set of ground rules. Together, each Small Group, will then create a "Covenant", customizing these rules to best suit their group's needs. For the most part, the ground rules simply expand on our UU principle of respecting the "inherent dignity and worth of every person." This group Covenant creates a space that fosters trust, deep, respectful listening, and a chance for all members to share equally. For more detail, please see our Sample Ground Rules page.
Small Group Ministries Calendar
We form new Small Groups every fall
Our regular Small Groups officially run from September to May, with many groups choosing to continue meeting over the summer. During the summer and early fall, everyone interested in the next year's Small Group Ministry, including those already in a group, fills out a new application. This annual re-forming offers participants the opportunity to continually broaden their deep connections within the church, making this a truly beloved community.
If you missed the sign up period, join as as mid-year applicant
We add members to existing groups when space is available. In addition, if there is enough demand, we may also form more groups throughout the year.
If you are new to UUSF, or for some reason were unable to join during the regular sign-up period, we also offer a Bridging Group that you can join at any point during the church year. This group lets you to try out Small Group Ministries for four sessions. If you like your experience, you can then decide to stay with the Bridging Group until space becomes available in a regular Small Group.