CONNECTION CIRCLES

A Small Group Experience of Listening and Conversation about Soul Matters.  For a copy of the brochure, click here.

What are Connection Circles?
A Connection Circle is a group of people who covenant (promise) that they will meet without fail over a period of time, either short term, (say, 8 meetings weekly) or long term (say, 8 monthly meetings, and explore together the “soul matters” suggested by our worship themes. Some Connection Circles are built around common characteristics or “affinities”, (such as being a young adult). Participants receive a packet of resources for spiritual practice and reflection a few weeks before each meeting. The meetings have a format guided by the group covenant and a facilitator who leads both dialogue and the deep listening.

Are Connections Circles only for New Members?
Not at all! We encourage experienced members to join a group whose schedule suits them because small group encounter is one of the best ways to make your church experience more meaningful and fulfilling. For that reason, everyone who attends the “Starting Point” groups this year at West Shore will be invited to join a monthly Connection Circle (CC) and engage in the accessible advance reading, media viewing, and spiritual practices involved.

How do Connection Circles work?
Groups spend time at their first meeting creating a “covenant,” that is, establishing group norms on how members will be in relationship with one another. Then, they follow a similar format each month, which is as follows:

Opening: Chalice lighting and a reading, often from a Unitarian Universalist source.

Check-in: A brief time for each member to reflect and perhaps answer, ”What do you need to leave behind to be fully present here?” or “How goes it with thy spirit?” or “How are you feeling today?”

Reviewing the Covenant: The Covenant is always open to change, staying within the model.

Engaging the Theme Topic : The first half has deep-listening reflection , without comment or crosstalk from the group, about the spiritual exercise in the advance packet and any other advance reflection about the theme. Most groups will then have a chance to engage in more free-flowing conversation. The focus of the group in the second half turns to dialogue and exchange within intentional listening.

Check-out: A closing reflection on your circle experience.

Closing Words & Extinguishing the Chalice

What's new in Connection Circles this year?
The format is new, for most groups. The advance packet will include reflections on the theme from a minister or lay leader, a spiritual exercise to try, and media resources (books, articles, and videos) to read on the theme. Although a deep-listening-only option will remain available, most groups will now include more free-flowing group discussion than our previous format. Our groups will be starting up or adding members three times each year, not just in the fall, and they may continue to meet beyond the initial meeting covenant that they make if they wish to stay together, and/or bring in new people. Because Connection Circles can include experienced members who are using the worship themes as their connection to spiritual practice, they provide an opportunity to get to know newer people better. They also offer a chance to organize a group around a common interest that uses the Connection Circle format.

What is the purpose of this format?
This form of group interaction emphasizes deep listening, and the use of “I” statements, followed by facilitated conversation allows for soul- space to open up. Dialogue becomes possible that is hard to find outside such a circle. The dialogue that occurs retain the quality of listening in the first half of the time together and does not become debate or intellectual discussion. We have other opportunities at West Shore for that.

How are the topics chosen?
The groups that meet monthly from October to May engage with topics that correspond to the monthly worship themes that are explored by the parish co-ministers in one or more Sunday services. Our hope and intention is that those who attend both the Sunday service and engage in a Connection Circle will be able to deeply focus on the theme.

Some Connection Circles can be organized around a group affinity or identity. These groups will choose topics related to their affinities. Previous groups have included young adults or mothers of young children. We are open this year to some new “age specific” groups and maybe a group for men ?

What is the “Empty Chair"?
We symbolically keep one chair empty in the year-long groups, to suggest the expectation that a new group will be born from the existing group if membership reaches ten. The chair can also represent the fact that most group are willing to take in a new member after they begun.

Is there a cost involved?
No. We do encourage all who participate in any of West Shore’s adult programs to pay the PUURL Program fee, a one-time honor system fee of $10 for members, $20 non-members, one fee for the fall, and one for the winter.

Do Connection Circles still do a service project. What is that?
Our Connection Circles have often committed to service projects, both inside the church and one outside the church. This year groups will be offered the opportunity to consider whether they want to undertake a project together and decide whether or what to do.

What sort of service ?
Some groups have made coffee for social hour after church or waited tables for the Stewardship Lunch. Others have participated in a Habitat for Humanity house, served at a soup kitchen, collected school supplies for immigrant children. Whether and what you do would be entirely up to your group. Working together is what is important.

What if I don’t like one or some of the members in my group?
The purpose of Connection Circles is to get to know others better through dialogue and listening. Over time, you may be surprised to discover that your initial concern about an individual changes to respect. However, if, after at least two meetings you still feel your group is not a good “match,” you can be reassigned.

Sounds great! What next?

SIGN UP. In order to participate in this first cycle of Connection Circles, you must sign up
at a Connection Circle table on any Sunday. The facilitators will create groups and determine a meeting time. When you sign up, be sure we have your correct phone number, email and mailing address.

SHOW UP. Show up for the Connection Circles meetings. Make time on your calendar for the regular gatherings. If you’re too busy, then wait to sign up for a Connection Circles until you’re fairly certain you can participate in it fully.

TELL OTHERS. Invite a church friend to join a Connection Circle. This is a great way to introduce non-members to the West Shore community.

STAY IN TOUCH. Whether you have
joined a group and you’ve found you’re unable to continue, or you haven’t yet found your “niche” at West Shore, let someone know.

Want to Facilitate? Tell Us !
Connection Circle facilitators are recruited and appointed. Training and continuous support is available for all facilitators.