First Parish Church of Groton : Small Group Ministry : Introduction and FAQ

‣ ‣ SGM introduction and FAQ
‣ SGM sample session
‣ SGM covenant
‣ SGM session protocols

Small Group Ministry

For an idea of what Small Group Ministry is or can be, listen to an excerpt of Reverend Kemler’s sermon on the meaning of Small Group Ministry from fall 2009, titled “Perhaps This Gift Is Your Answer” (5 MB .mp3, 10:16 in length).

What Is Small Group Ministry?

Did you ever want to know other people better than you can know them in coffee hour? Did you ever wish for the opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings about the most important questions in our lives?

Small group ministry allows us to fulfill two of our fondest hopes — for deep friendship, where we can be truly known and accepted for who we are, and for spiritual exploration, time to share our thoughts on questions of profound significance in our lives. Small group ministry serves members and friends of the church who have the yearning people have had throughout the ages — the yearning for intimacy and ultimacy.

What Kinds of Topics Are Discussed?

For the spring 2013 series we will be discussing these topics on successive weeks:

Mindful Listening
Expressions of the Spirit
Humility
Sharing My Gifts
Learning from Simplicity
Celebration

What Happens During a Session?

Each session includes the lighting of the chalice, opening words, a thought-provoking introduction to the session topic, and time for honest sharing in an atmosphere of respectful listening.

Follow the link for a sample session, Living with Fear.

Small Group Covenant

So that members of groups may feel free to share what is in their hearts, members agree to abide by a covenant or set of agreements including respectful listening, confidentiality, speaking from our own experience and committing to attend meetings. Agreeing to the covenant means everyone in the group shares responsibility for the group’s ongoing success.

Follow the link for a sample Small Group Covenant.

Sun. dates			Mon. dates			Fri. dates
March April	17 24 31 7 14 23		March April	18 25 1 8 15 22		March April	22 29 5 12 19 26

Spring 2013 sessions

First Parish Church offered three groups in the spring of 2013. Groups were limited to eight members, including two coaches. SGM began the week of March 18 and concluded in late April. One group met Sunday evenings, one on Monday evenings, and one Friday mornings.