All session in this series will follow this simple structure. If you are not familiar with the Covenant Group model, we encourage you to read The Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry: Saving the World Ten at a Time by Robert L. Hill.

The welcome (1 minute), offered at the beginning of each session, is an optional statement of purpose. The group may wish to replace this statement with a covenant statement already adopted by the group or read it with the group covenant.

All of the opening readings (2 minutes) are taken from the UU hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.

The chalice lighting (2 minutes) is the same at the beginning of each session. This offers a familiar statement to center the group into worship.

The opening check-in (30-40 minutes) is an opportunity for creating connections between the members of the group. During this time, all group members are asked to give the gift of active listening, without questions or interruptions.

The session topic (5 minutes) or focus is provided through a short reading. Any member of the group can read the selected piece that will focus the group on a topic. All readings for this series are taken from the book Democracy’s Edge: Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life by Frances Moore Lappé or You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear by Frances Moore Lappé and Jeffrey Perkins.

The reflection questions (60 minutes) offer the group members direction and center for sharing and dialogue. Share from a personal center of truth and love while other members listen from the heart. Refrain from debating, questioning, or judging other members.

During the checkout (10-15 minutes), the facilitator asks each person for a word or phrase that says something about how she or he is feeling as the meeting draws to an end. Group members can answer these questions: How are you feeling as we close this session? What has been most meaningful to you? What are you hoping for? Session Six offers a closing checkout for the series.

The closing readings (2 minutes) are taken from Singing the Living Tradition.

The chalice flame is extinguished with a brief reading where the group participants symbolically become the ambassadors of the light (1 minute) who will carry our prophetic faith into action.