Chalice Circles are an ongoing adult religious exploration program designed to provide you with the opportunity to draw closer to people in the church community, to nourish your heart and spirit, and to engage your mind in stimulating conversation.
Chalice Circles help UUs to “walk the talk” of Unitarian Universalism by fostering service to both church and community.
Chalice Circles meet once a month over the course of a year to explore a curriculum designed specifically for UU seekers. Topics are vary widely, including such things as forgiveness, spiritual practices, loneliness, living simply, fear, and healing. Each meeting follows a format that includes opening and closing readings, time for checking in with one another, and shared reflection on the topic for the month. No advance preparation is necessary. Trained facilitators lead the groups.
In addition to the monthly meetings, each Chalice Circle chooses two service projects during the year. One service project supports the life of the congregation. The other serves the wider community beyond the doors of the congregation. In this way, each Chalice Circle provides an avenue for its members to bring their faith into action.
On February 1, 2009, our church voted to adopt our Mission Statement, “to be a spiritual community, to welcome all, to nurture one another, to work for justice, and to care for the earth.” Chalice Circles help us to live into that Mission Statement in the following ways:
Worship
Worship is central to our life as a congregation. Chalice Circles contain elements of worship and reflection intended to augment and strengthen our shared worship experiences. In that way, Chalice Circles help us to live into our mission to be a spiritual community.
Community
Chalice Circles help to meet the need for connection and intimacy that is both a deep hunger in our society and essential to the ongoing life of the congregation. Chalice Circles help us to live into our mission to welcome all and to nurture one another.
Learning and Exploration
People come to our congregation to engage spiritual growth, to know themselves, to grow in their understanding of the world, and to ponder age-old questions of ethics and faith: what to believe; what meanings to decipher from the mystery of life; and how to live in accordance with those meanings. That kind of learning helps us to live into our mission to be a spiritual community.
Service
A life of faith is a life of service. As human beings, we seek to be of use, and a healthy congregation provides opportunities for us to serve. By serving, we open the door to nurturing one another, working for justice, and caring for the earth.
Contact our Minister to express interest in attending. We ask that you make a commitment to attend at least four meetings to give Chalice Circles a fair chance.