The Connections Team which brings you the Soul Matters themed Connections Groups is very excited to bring you a new discussion group, Chalice Circles, starting late February and running for 4 months as a trial run before, hopefully, starting up for the full year in September 2023. Teresa Farnum, relative newcomer to UUCS, is working with Rev. Rick to bring you this new group.

Here is what Teresa says:

” Are you interested in a new opportunity to participate in a program of small group discussions? Chalice Circles (CC), a program that complements the Connections/Soul Matters groups, will begin in late February. Chalice Circles is modeled after dual programs, Covenant Groups and Soul Matters. I experienced it at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach (UUFVB) in Florida, where many members were participants in both programs. Like Connections Groups, CC offers monthly discussions led by facilitators, as well as materials containing background/resource information with relevant questions that are distributed prior to the meetings to provide structure to the discussion. While Connections offers the opportunity to reflect on feelings that focus on internal, personal issues (such as hope, sense of belonging. etc.), CC meetings focus on external, societal issues, for which participants share their opinions. Some examples of CC topics might be authority, evil, dignity, rules, etc. UUFVB is helping us get started by generously giving permission for UUCS to use materials that were developed over the past decade by their membership.”

We will offer the opportunity to participate in one or both of the Connections and Chalice Circles programs. Right now, though, we would like to implement a pilot program by offering two small—in person—CC groups at UUCS to meet starting in late February and going through May. This is in anticipation of expanding the program for the full year starting in Fall 2023. Both Connections Groups and Chalice Circles would run from September -June and you will be able to sign up for one or both of these groups. The exact days and times of the CC monthly meetings will be determined by a survey of those who want to consider joining this program. Be on the lookout for on-line registration for specific times/dates closer to February. If you’re interested in taking the survey or have questions, please email Teresa Farnum at teresa5403@icloud.com. –Connections Team