and Growing Community
at Tree of Life
Within UU congregations, the “small group ministry” is a widely accepted format for adult programs. Sometimes the groups are known by the name of the curriculum being used, but often the name “chalice circle” is chosen because the chalice is the UU symbol of the sacred aspect of worship and also because listening to one another is a sacred act of community…..so Chalice Circle is the name we are using at Tree of Life.
In one form or another, this type of program has been ongoing in our community since 2011 . Since 2014 we have been using the Soul Matters curriculum for our circles and in the past year we have expanded to 4 circles meeting every month. When we gather, we come to know the joys and challenges of each other’s lives and we hear the deeper thoughts and questions that we all share as human beings — the stories of others help make our own stories appear to us with more clarity.
In September our circles resume and will explore the topic of Welcome.(click here for packet) All circles meet once a month with a maximum of 10 persons. Below is a list of the ongoing circles, but we are eager to start new ones as well. It’s possible to have a circle meet in someone’s home if there is enough interest in a general location – such as Woodstock.
If you would like to hear how people feel about this program, Marc Stettner, Sue McCowin, Irene Raven, or Judy Stettner would be happy to share their experiences. If you’re unsure if this is for you, you are welcome to attend and then decide if you would like to continue.
Exisiting Circles meet monthly (for Sept, the 2nd Sunday is being moved temporarily)
2nd Wednesday 10:00 – 11:30 am
2nd Sunday 9:00 – 10:00 am New Circles proposed:
2nd Sunday 6:30 – 8:00 pm 1st Sunday 6:30 – 8:00 pm
3rd Sunday 6:30 – 8:00 pm and we’re open for requests
If you have questions, comments, would like to sign up for a circle, or propose a different circle time, we would love to hear from you, so feel free to use our contact information or talk to us in church.
In faith,
- E. Tanabe Ph. 815 337 9895 and Janet Burns Cell 847 542 7678 m.e.tanabe@comcast.net janetrugi@yahoo.com
“Listening solidifies relationships and is a foundation for community. Listening with undivided attention and without interruption moves us beyond differences and shows deep respect; the speaker is valued. Paying attention and being paid attention create a community which embodies our UU principle of affirming and promoting the worth and dignity of each person ….
Having others attend to your personal story affirms your journey, and having others listen to you encourages you to take yourself more seriously. Trusting yourself to speak your truth to a group strengthens your ability to speak your truth wherever you go”
— Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway
“I suspect the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention… When people are talking, there’s no need to do anything but receive them”
— Rachel Naomi Remen