The questions that you see here are ones that the members
of the Task Force often get from people at coffee time after
services, and Jane Zamanzadeh, Cochair of the Task Force,
has compiled the answers below. Any other questions? All the
members of the Task Force will be
happy to help with any information you may request.
You may also download a printable file in Adobe Acrobat format that contains the same text as you see below.
A. Groups will meet twice a month for the four introductory sessions. After that, they will meet once a month unless the group unanimously decides to meet more often.
A. We encourage participants to commit to staying with their group for at least a year.
A. Attending regularly is so important that we make promising to do so part of our group covenant. A member’s absence has a significant impact on the group and greatly diminishes his/her small group ministry experience. Although we recognize that sometimes absence is unavoidable, we strongly encourage participants to choose a meeting time when they have no other commitments.
A. We will try to accommodate moves for reasons like unexpected schedule changes, but it’s preferable that participants wait until the open enrollment period to make such changes. If you do feel that you need to change groups at another time, contact the Small Group Ministry task force.
A. There will be an open enrollment period once a year, in the Fall. While you may join a group at any time, open enrollment is when we will be starting new groups and will make every effort to insure that there is a group for everyone who wants to be part of the small group ministry program. It is also a time for members to choose to recommit to their current group, ask to be moved to another group, or decide to leave the SGM program for a while.
A. The hope is that the topic discussions will extend beyond the individual groups to the church as a whole, since all groups will be discussing the same topics at the same time. However, it is important for all participants to adhere to their group’s covenant regarding confidentiality. When discussing what took place at meetings, participants are encouraged to talk about their own experiences or the discussion in general, but not to use the names of others within their group. When a member shares something within the group, he/she may ask that what’s being said be kept confidential. As always, appropriate intimacy is important – only share what you’re comfortable sharing.
A. Unless a couple asks to be together, we will put them in separate groups.
A. As we start our small group ministry program, schedule has been the main factor in determining group membership. As our program evolves, we’d also like to form affinity groups.
A. The small group ministry program provides an ongoing opportunity for us to explore life issues in a religious context. Affinity groups are groups whose members share either a common interest (e.g. writing) or a common life situation (e.g. young adulthood) and whose members would like to explore these spiritual issues with others with a similar perspective.
A. Our senior minister, Jim Nelson, or any member of the small group ministry task force will be very happy to receive suggestions about how to make our program more effective.
A. Sign up sheets for small groups are on the Welcome Table. When you sign up, please let us know when you’re available, if you have any special needs, or if you’d like to be part of an affinity group.
Membership of the Small Group Ministry Task Force
Frank Colcord, Cochair
Bob Holmes
Jonathan Lubin
Peggy Painton
Gillian Symonds
Celia Ward
Jane Zamanzadeh, Cochair