UU Small Group Ministry
Program Development & Renewal
with Peter Bowden
Listening Circles as a Leadership Tool
With Martha Niebanck
Friday – Saturday, November 4 and 5
UU Fellowship of Winston Salem
[Winston Salem, NC, 27106 http://www.uufws.org/]
Hosted by the Southeast District
Small Group Ministry Training
The Southeast District is proud to offer a weekend Small Group Ministry training with Peter Bowden, Unitarian Universalist Growth Consultant and co-founder of the UU Small Group Ministry Network.
This training has been designed for clergy and lay leaders seeking to strengthen congregation-wide small group ministry programs. This program will cover the following core areas, as well as opportunities for worship, networking and hands on small group experience.
· Small group that are HEALTHY, GROWING and INTEGRATED into congregational life.
· Approaches to SELECTING, TRAINING and COACHING small group ministry leaders.
· Turning FACILITATORS into small group LEADERS and PARTNERS in shared ministry.
Note there are many ways to structure small group ministries and covenant groups! This training will focus on models where small groups led by trained lay facilitators and integrated into the primary work and ministry of a congregation. Contact Peter via his site (below) if you have content questions.
Listening Circles for Leadership: Facilitator Training
Circles are based on the tradition of talking circles, common among indigenous peoples and contemporary peacemaking and consensus-building processes. Listening circles provide a process for transforming community during times of change, opportunity or trauma. Listening circles spread a virus of health in times of anxiety.
Distinct from debate or discussion, listening circles allow for dialogue—a process by which a group of people can explore individual presuppositions, ideas, beliefs, feelings and desires that underlie communal relationships. Listening circles are arenas in which collective learning takes place and a sense of harmony and creativity can arise.
Dr. David Bohm writes, “The spirit of ‘Dialogue’ is one of free play, a sort of collective dance of the mind that, nevertheless, has immense power and reveals coherent purpose. Once begun it becomes continuing adventure that can open the way to significant and creative change.”
Participants will learn and practice the art of questions and convening a circle as well as the practical and spiritual requirements for success.
Rev. Martha Niebanck is the co-minister with the First Parish in Brookline, MA. She has served congregations in South Country, RI, and Waltham, MA. Prior to ordained ministry, Martha was a therapist working with individuals, families, and groups in mind-body medicine. She holds degrees from Tufts University, Andover Newton Theological School, Boston University, and the Kantor Family Institute. Serving as the chair of the Mass Bay District’s Congregational Transformation Team since 2004, Martha consults with congregations, teaching the practice of dialogue to leaders and facilitators.
Peter Bowden is a Unitarian Universalist consultant specializing in congregational growth, outreach and evangelism. Peter is one of the founders of the UU Small Group Ministry Network (smallgroupministry.net), a national organization and non-profit dedicated to supporting small group ministries within our movement. Peter has led workshops on small group ministry throughout New England, at General Assemblies, the Ferry Beach and Star Island conference centers, and has consulted with congregations across the United States. You may read more about Peter’s work on his website, www.leadingcongregations.com.
Register HERE - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RKKK999
Cost is $75 before October 15; $100 after October 15 – Scholarships are available
30 slots available for EACH training session
Cost includes a light dinner on Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
Conference begins with dinner at 6 pm on Friday, program begins at 7 and concludes by 5 pm on Saturday.
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