Chalice Circles are a great opportunity to get to know a smaller group of people at the Fellowship. They meet regularly once a month for 2 hours. Based on spiritual practices and reflection questions provided each month, members of Chalice Circles take turns sharing about a monthly theme and listening with open hearts. There is also an opportunity for gentle feedback on others’ shares, “lifting up” things you’ve heard and “holding out” related experiences from your own life. Sometimes letting someone know how their insights affect you leads to a profound “aha!”

We use material from Soul Matters, a Unitarian Universalist community of congregations from all over the country. The themes explored in Chalice Circles are also highlighted throughout our Sunday Services for the month and in kids’ religious education classes.

Check out this month’s theme here.

This year, our themes are:

August: Heaven on Earth
September: Invitation
October: Deep Listening
November: Repair
December: Presence
January: Story
February: Inclusion
March: Trust
April: Joy
May: Imagination
June: Freedom

If you are already participating in the Chalice Web and want to access Soul Matters packets or other shared files, click the link below. If you have any difficulty, please email Pastor Isa.

Chalice Web shared files

Our Chalice Circles are organized as a “web.” Instead of a single facilitator for the whole year, members take turns serving as the facilitator. Before your circle meets, the person who volunteered to facilitate that month attends a Facilitators Circle led by Pastor Isa, who models how to structure the session in the small groups. She answers any questions, makes suggestions, and leads the facilitators in reflection on how the Circles are doing.

Serving as a Chalice Circle facilitator is optional — if you do not want to serve as a facilitator, you are still welcome to join a Circle. However, it’s a great opportunity to learn and practice leadership in a welcoming space. It also helps Pastor Isa get to know you and, through you, your circle. It also helps you get to know people from other Chalice Circles. We’re a web of connection!