TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Using Dialogue in Your Small Group Ministry or Religious Education Programs
Based on the ideas presented in The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, By Senge, Ross, Smith, Roberts & Kleiner, 1994

Adapted by Laurel Amabile, RE Program Consultant

"Small Group Ministry is one of the great grassroots movements in Unitarian Universalism today. It is also one of the healthiest. It is helping us shape a faith that affirms real, lived human experience in all its complexity. It is helping us live out our individualism in ways that not only support, but enhance our sense of community." -- Rev. William Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association

Small Group Ministry is a growing trend in congregations today as a successful means of growing congregations and deepening relationships among members. There are a number of good resources and techniques for facilitating small group process. The use of dialogue can serve as a powerful means of sharing and effective communication among group members.

Resources for Small Group Ministry include those found at the UUA http://www.uua.org/csw/CircleGd.pdf , the Southwest District http://swuuc.org/covenantgroups/covenantgroupsnl.html , and from Peter Bowden http://www.peterbowden.com/uu/index.html , and Resources for Unitarian Universalist Small Ministry Groups http://www.smallgroupministry.net

Dialogue is a word derived from two Greek words: Dia, meaning "through" or "with each other" + Logos, meaning "the word"= Dialogue interpreted as "meaning flowing through."

The Nature of Dialogue is more holistic than Discussion because it does not involve positions that must be defended.

1) Dialogue allows its participants the opportunity to learn about and experience the meaning behind the words: the context, processes of thought, and the feelings of the others involved.

2) Dialogue involves meaningful interpretation and promotes understanding, as a process of collective inquiry that all participate in freely and willingly.

3) Dialogue does not require giving up one's opinions or beliefs, for participants are encouraged to "suspend" their assumptions openly in the group--without imposing their views on others or holding back--for the purpose of greater exploration and deeper understanding.

4) Dialogue is not always an easy process, because it involves skills that must be learned and practices: listening more than talking, attending to what is being said beneath the words, watching for nonverbal signals that add meaning to the words, and risking the discomfort of stronger emotions and conflict.

Recommended Format to Nurture a Spirit of Dialogue
1) Invitation to participate willingly.
2) Check-in at the start about what each person is thinking, feeling, or has noticed.
3)Each should speak about one's own experiences and not for another.
4) Avoid agendas and/or presentations; these can inhibit the open flow of dialogue.
5) Speak to the center of the circle, not to each other. This keeps everyone included and helps to create a body of common meaning and understanding.

From the UUA:

Upcoming UUA Books:
~Articulating Your UU Faith: A Five-Session Course by Barbara Wells and Jaco B. ten Hove (2/03). Revised edition of curriculum designed to help Unitarian Universalists answer the question
"What is Unitarian Universalism?"
~Religion in Life for Girls, Third Edition, by Susan Charles T. Groth (2/03). Updated edition of program for Girl Scouts Emblem Award.

Upcoming Skinner House Books
In time for the 200th Anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Birth:
~A Dream Too Wild: Emerson Meditations for Every Day of the Year, by Barry M. Andrews. (5/03) 365 passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson for inspiration and reflection.
~Emerson as Spiritual Guide: A Companion to Emerson's Essays for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion, by Barry M. Andrews. (5/03). Useful tool for understanding Emerson's spiritual writings and relating them to today's world.

New Collection for Children's and Intergenerational Programs:
~uu&me! Collected Stories, edited by Betsy Hill Williams. (5/03) Collection of stories from CLF's magazine for children, uu&me!

Reprints
~ Mary Ann Moore's classic collection of children's stories about the many faces of God, Hide-and-Seek with God, will be reprinted this April with a new 4-color cover and minor revisions.

From Our Own Meg Barnhouse, Parish Minister in Spartanburg, SC:
~Waking Up the Karma Fairy: Life Lessons and Other Holy Adventures, by Meg Barnhouse. (5/03) Meditations on the humor and wisdom to be found in the everyday life of a liberal minister in the American South.

Did You Know….That the UU World magazine is available on audio tape? This service is available free to our members with sight impairments. To subscribe, contact Rachael Brown in the Lifespan Faith Development Office at the UUA, rbrown@uua.org

Other Great Resources from the UUA:
The UUA Youth Office will be bringing back the Synapse publication, on-line via the UUA Web site: http://www.uua.org

Faithworks is the new on-line collection of religious education resources, formerly known as the REACH Packets. It is published twice a year and can be found on the UUA website: http://www.uua.org/re/reach

Faithworks include: RE program administration, worship, curriculum, family ministry, program ideas, and Youth. Contributions are welcomed; send them to Adrienne Ross, aross@uua.org

Family Ministry and the Family Matters Task Force resources are also found at the UUA Web site at, http://www.uua.org/families with resource packets sent to participating members twice a year.

Bookmarks featuring ideas for being an intergenerational community are featured; available upon request from Pat Hoertdoerfer, phoertdoerfer@uua.org

New “Bridge Connections” gift packets will be available from the UUA Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry this spring in time for recognizing high school graduates in your congregation. To order, contact the YA & CM staff, 617-948-4273, ya-cm@uua.org. Each packet contains a copy of book, Poems to Live by in Uncertain Times, a reply card for a one free year subscription of the UU World magazine and the Quest and Ferment newsletters, a directory of UU Campus Ministry groups, and a C*UUYAN bookmark with 2003 conference dates and contact information.

How Many Hours a Week Does it Take to Staff an RE Program? Are there ever enough hours to do what you'd love to do in a week??

Recommended RE Staffing Ratios
From Excellence in Religious Education Covenanting Handbook and The RE Road Map: A Guidebook for Religious Educators on Administering RE Programs, 2nd Edition, by Cindy Leitner

# of Children & Youth Registered / Paid Staff Hours
Fewer than 30 / 10 hours (3 units)
Between 30-50 / 15 hours (4.5 units)
Between 50-80 / 20 hours (6 units)
Between 80-120 / 30 hours (9 units)
Over 120 / 40 hours (12 units)

No recommendations were made specifically for staffing for programs registering 200 children and youth or more, but this case often requires one or more support staff in positions such as childcare, youth, administrative or clerical for a total of hours equal to one full-time position, in addition to the full-time RE Professional.

Lifespan Directors or Ministers of RE with a Lifespan portfolio including adult programs, pastoral care, counseling or other ministerial duties, staffing should be at an even higher level. This higher staffing level includes any staffing support provided by a Parish Minister, Assistant or Associate Ministers.

By Laurel Amabile, Lifespan Program Consultant

TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Lifespan REflections by Laurel Amabile, TJD Program Consultant

Lifespan REflections
by Laurel Amabile, TJD Program Consultant