At our Fellowship we strive to deepen our connections to one another and the earth as we offer compassionate service to each other, our community, and the earth. There are many ways we can grow our connections outward so that we become stronger as individuals and as a caring community. To facilitate weaving our web of relationships ever stronger and broader, our congregation offers Circles of Life:
- Circles invigorate affinity, care, and small groups and build our care program.
- Allow us to keep track of life experiences and needs of one another
- Offer the gift of being in relationship with one another
- Offer the gift of presence and deep listening to the other
- Facilitate communication throughout the congregation as one Circle of Life can let others know what is going on for their people and what care they may need.
- We can also see who we are as a group — what are our concerns as a community?
- Provide a context for learning the arts of caring — listening, nonviolent communication, being a healing presence in times of grief and loss.
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Many Circles of Life have already formed and reached their maximum membership. However, we continue to add new Circles.
Newer Circles
Circle of Life
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Contact Person
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Criteria
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Sermon Discussion/Sunday
lunch |
Roxane Bleiweis, 224.5880,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Do you ever leave the Fellowship on Sunday thinking - I wish I had someone to discuss the sermon with? Now you will have that chance. Beginning January 3rd, anyone who would like to can come out to lunch at a local restaurant to do just that.
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| Engaged Spirituality |
Rev. Joyner |
The Engaged Spirituality Circle of Life will meet on December 10, January 7, February 4, and March 4 (all Thursdays at UUFG at 6 p.m.). We will be reflecting on how nurturing our spirits may help us heal the world (and ourselves). We begin the Circle in November and will focus mostly on the book, "Engaged Spirituality: Social Change and American Religion" by Gregory Stanczak. You can order the book from our book cart now in preparation for the Circle. If you are interested, sign up with Cam at the UUFG office and we'll get back to you on when we meet. Rev. LoraKim Joyner will initially lead the Circle. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 01:24 |
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Joining or Creating the Circles of Life |
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Our Circles of Life are intended to strengthen our congregation by giving members (old and new) an opportunity to get acquainted with other members in small group situations outside of the Sunday services. We do this by offering circles that appeal to a variety of interests: Affinity Circles that pull together members with a common interest; Pastoral Circles that can help members deal with specific problems such as dealing with Alzheimer’s or handling addiction problems; and Current Issues Circles that can discuss what is going on in our country, our city or our congregation. We encourage all of our members to consider joining at least one circle. If you don’t see a circle that interests you, perhaps you could start your own circle and see if others would like to join. Several circle possibilities that have been suggested are: - a Travel Circle for people to share their travel experiences;
- a Book Club Circle to read and discuss the Ministers’ recommended Book of the Month;
- a Book Club Circle to choose books to read and discuss;
- a Fine Arts and Music Circle II to accommodate the overflow from the current FAMC;
- a Theater Circle where members would go together to performances at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, the Hippodrome, or the Constans Theater and then discuss what they saw.
If you would like to start a circle but aren’t sure how to do it, or if you would like to join one, but aren’t sure which one, contact Lynne Capehart. She will be delighted to help you.
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Below is a table of all known Circles of Life. Some of these are full, and others are accepting additional members.
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Read more...
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Frequently Asked Questions |
- What are Circles of Life?
Circles of Life are groups of usually 8-12 people who are committed to keeping in touch with another. In addition Circles are encouraged to meet on a regular basis as they find ways to support one another in their search of deeper meaning and connections. We invite each Circle to hold Circle of Life Discussions on a regular basis using the monthly Circle of Life Discussion Guides or pursuing a topic of their choice. - What are the goals of Circles of Life?
- To let one another that we care about each and every member
- To listen to one another’s cares and if Circle members so choose, let others in the congregation know about care needs of individuals so care may be provided
- To listen actively to each other so that each person knows they are truly heard
- To foster spiritual growth
- To develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and others in the group
- To find connections with others
- To share life’s lessons on a path to discovery
- To talk about the things that matter most in life
- To explore our own relationship to the congregation
- When do Circles of Life start and how long do they last?
Circles of Life can form, end, and reshuffle at any time of the year depending on the needs of individuals and the congregation. |
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Read more...
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