(415) 776-4580
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Contact: Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life
Email: lshennum@uusf.org
Soul Matters Groups
Small Group Ministry
Building Connections at UUSF: Join our Small Group Ministry Program!
One of the ways to build connections at UUSF is through our small group ministry program. This year, these groups will follow the monthly themes we will engage throughout the year. The groups meet twice a month and are led by a trained facilitator. If you are interested, then please follow the link below to learn more and register. If you have questions, then contact Rev. Laura Shennum at lshennum@uusf.org.
SMALL GROUP PROGRAMMING
Small Group Ministry is an ongoing program to help us deepen our connections to each other, grow spiritually and strengthen the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco community as a whole. Small groups of about ten people meet twice a month to share important parts of our lives. We practice deep listening, which enables us to form lasing friendships, build stronger community, and minister each other.
At each meeting, trained group facilitators guide the amount of time participants spend on each topic to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate, share, and listen. This year, we will be using monthly Soul Matters themes to guide our reflections. (List of 2024-25 Themes)
Please fill out the Google form below to express your interest in small groups this year. We look forward to seeing you at SGM meetings!
MISSION
To deepen our connections to each other, grow spiritually, and strengthen the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco community as a whole.
WHAT IS SMALL GROUP MINISTRY?
At the heart of our community are the connections that we make with one another. Our Small Groups offer a place to belong and to care for each other, to share important parts of our lives. We practice deep listening, which enables us to form lasting connections, a stronger community, and to minister to one another. Together, we find a way to connect our lives to our spiritual needs. We explore important topics of personal, social, spiritual, and intellectual interest to the group in an open and respectful setting. As a group, we strive to live our Unitarian Universalist values through service projects in our church and the larger community.
​
PROGRAM
​A place to belong and to care for each other. Groups of about 10 people meet twice a month for two hours at a time. Times are chosen to meet the preferences of participants and facilitators. We practice deep listening, which enables us to form lasting friendships and a stronger community, and to minister to one another.
A way to connect our lives to our spiritual needs. We offer a place to consider and act on our common values. Together we explore important questions and strive to live our values through service to our church and the larger community.
A community open to church members, friends and visitors. All who agree to try SGM for four sessions, respect members' privacy, attend gatherings consistently, follow group agreements, and welcome new members are invited to join.
LEADERSHIP
Members of each group choose a service project to complete during their year together. Church members interested in becoming facilitators may contact the chair of SGM or speak with our spiritual advisor, the Reverend Emerita Margot Campbell Gross.
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: LOOKING BACK WITH GRATITUDE ON MAY 22, 2022
Small Group Ministry: Looking Back with Gratitude
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita; Gregg Biggs and Millie Phillips, Small Group Ministry Chairs
