“People come to church longing for, yearning for, hoping for … a sense of roots, place, belonging, sharing and caring. People come to a church with a search for community, not committee.” — Glenn Turner
What is a Covenant Circle?
Covenant Circles provide a path to deepen and broaden personal, spiritual growth. A group is comprised of 8-10 members, with one of those people serving as a facilitator. Each session is focused on a spiritually meaningful topic. The goals are to:
- Listen and be listened to in a safe place
- Learn about the mysteries of our world and our spiritual paths
- Build new and deeper personal connections
- Serve our community and the needs of one another
- Maintain personal connections within a caring community
What is a Covenant?
The covenant of a Circle is created by its members who agree about being together in a defined way for a common purpose. It is intended to provide an understanding of how the group members wish to be when they come together.
How often do Circles meet?
Most groups meet twice a month for 1.5-2 hours, on a regularly scheduled day and time. It is important for the group process that members attend the sessions regularly in order to explore their spiritual journey as well as respectfully listen to and share in support of one another.
What happens in a Covenant Circle?
Each session is focused on a spiritually related topic, which is usually chosen by the facilitator of the group. Sessions include a personal check-in, opening readings, discussion of the topic, and a closing reading.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is very important in a Covenant Circle. This is a safe space in which to share concerns, hopes, fears, joys, and areas of growth. What happens in Covenant Circle, stays in Covenant Circle. As part of our community of caring, the facilitator may feel it appropriate, with a member’s permission, to share a pastoral issue (e.g., a life event or change) with the minister.
What is the Family Covenant Circle?
The Family Covenant Circle (FCC) is a variation on the classic covenant circle format, ideal for families with young children and families of teenagers. Families have unique needs. The FCC has the flexibility to accommodate those needs and the changing needs of families over time. For many of us, raising a family is a profound step on our spiritual journey. Kids have found friends and parents have found community as we share our challenges and wisdom with others.
Who can join?
Anyone! There are no membership requirements. However, joining a Covenant Circle is a commitment to attend as regularly as possible.
How do I join a Covenant Circle?
Contact Nicole Duff ([email protected]) or fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/Ksyi5JYhUdmTo7XR8