First Parish Church of Groton : Small Group Ministry : Covenant

Small Group Ministry: Covenant (Agreements)

Please engage in careful and respectful listening. Try to understand the underlying values and concerns of the speaker, especially when you might disagree.
Maintain confidentiality. Speak of your own experience outside the group but not the experiences, stories, or details of anyone else in the group, except with specific permission.
Speak from your own experience. Please use "I" statements, e.g. I feel, I think, I am.
Refrain from interrupting especially during check-in, check out and sharing times (except for process comments such as noticing the conversation has gotten off topic.)
Refrain from giving advice. We are not here to fix one another.
Listen with an open heart and mind. Try to use this experience as an opportunity to expand your own spiritual perspectives. Agreement is not one of the objectives of the group.
Commit to attending all sessions unless illness or emergencies prevent you. If you are not able to attend, please contact one of the facilitators so they can let the group know.
Arrive on time.
Help share time fairly (the pie method).
Help keep the discussion on topic.
Value your own experience and opinions. You always have the right to pass or not speak. Also be aware that if you don't speak, you are not giving the group the gift of your insight and experience.
Share the responsibility and the privilege of making the group work. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions to make the group work better, please share them.