"Covenant groups are a transformational practice through which
we, with others, can discover our own underlying assumptions about
reality and examine our ways of being, some of which have become
so habitual that they seem to us just ‘the way things are.’ The practice of Small Group Ministry does ask us to suspend judgment
long enough to hear respectfully the understandings of others, even
those vastly different from our own.”*
“Covenant groups give us a way of structuring our interactions
so that all of us, the quiet ones as well as the verbally quick,
may be heard and made to feel a part of the whole. Any viable form
of small group organization that produces mutual trust and service
to others is a benefit to our faith.”*
“Small Group Ministry asks us not only to attend to the stresses
of getting through the day but also to covenant together to do what
we can to make a positive difference. A faith statement is implied
in those two purposes."*
Below are links to resources and more information on Small Group
Ministry.
NEW! Skinner House announces a new Small Group Ministry book for men's groups: Gatherings: Small Group Ministry for Men by Tony Bushman and Bill Hamilton-Holway.
The autumn 2006 issue of Covenant News 
is here. Covenant Group News is a free monthly electronic newsletter on Small Group Ministry read by over 1250 forward-looking Unitarian Universalists. CGNews is edited by Peter Bowden and distributed by the UU Small Group Ministry Network.
Unraveling Small Group Ministry and Covenant Groups
Small Group Ministry Session on Global Warming
Congregational Delegates at General Assembly 2004 chose "Global Warming" as an issue to be studied. This document provides guidance for focusing on the issue in the context of Small Group Ministry.
Small Group Ministry Resource Book
Calvin Dame et al. Low cost manual that shows how a church set up its small group ministry, including multiple session plans and topics.
Small Group Ministry Session Book
Calvin Dame et al. Detailed, ready-to-use session plans on topics that will spark discussion.
The UU
Small Group Ministry Network 
is an independent affiliate of the UUA that facilitates the exchange
of resources and information on small group ministry and related
shared ministry models.
Sign
onto a UUA-sponsored email list - For congregations who are
interested in or engaged in Covenant Group or Small Group Ministry
to share experiences, questions, comments, problems, innovations,
and insight.
Get
Covenant Group News ,
from the Small Group Ministry Network, including monthly updates
with news, information and events on Covenant Group & Small
Group Ministry.
Young
Adult and Campus Ministry Covenant Group Manual
by Bob Cavanaugh and Michael Tino, is a resource guide that provides
program ideas and community-building exercises to foster deep
relationship among members of small groups.
Skinner House Books offers a small group ministry link from their home page where you can view sample session plans, practical guidelines or submit your very own session plan to be posted on the Small Group Ministry Resources section of the Skinner House Books web site.
The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry offers
encouragement and resources , including a why and how-to guide
on small groups for young adults.
Large congregational resources are available, including a
reading list for Covenant Groups and Small Group Ministry
in the large congregation setting.
Learn about The Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry: Saving the World Ten At a Time, the Skinner House publication by SGM eloquent proponent, Robert L. Hill. This 6-page introduction by Thandeka includes compelling reasons for exploring the small group ministry model, as well as a short, handy guide, Elements of Small Group Ministry . The Sample Brochure For Small Group Ministry is a 14-page section taken from Hill's book.
The Life of Small Group Ministries
by Thandeka is a Skinner Press online resource outlining the transforming
possibilities that small group ministry brings to congregational life.
Awakening
the Soul
was conceived as a private devotional book, a simple guide for individuals
to nurture their spiritual disciplines. The guide may be helpful to groups
and congregations.
Visit
the UUA Continental Congress on Urban Ministries website to
hear an audio stream of the workshop including the nuts and bolts
of covenant groups and small group ministry. Presented by Mellen
Kennedy, Vicky Combs, and Connie Grant.
The Church of Larger Fellowship briefly outlines
small group ministry-covenant groups in their 2004 Cyberminister
Report, including the key factors for success.
Keeping
Members Connected By Creating Small Groups notes the
success a number of UU congregations have had with building connection
between members by forming small, committed groups.
An outline of the informative workshop, Creating
INTENTIONAL MINISTRY in Small Group Ministry presented
at General Assembly 2003 by speakers from the First Unitarian
Church of San Jose, CA.
A summary of the highly popular panel, Covenant
Groups/Small Group Ministry: Success Since 1982 held
at General Assembly 2003, featuring speakers the Reverends Bob
Hill, James Robinson, Calvin Dame, Michael McGee, Thandeka, and
Glenn Turner.
Small group ministry testimonials are featured in the General
Assembly 2004 worship service, If
You Can't Walk On Water, Then Get In the Boat.
A General Assembly 2003 presentation, New
Paradigms in Lifespan Faith Development reviews small
group ministry for children and youth, using the example of North
Parish in North Andover, MA.
*Hill, Robert
L. The Complete Guide to Small Group Ministry – Saving the
World Ten At a Time. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2003.
