Session Number

Topic

Holiday, Sermon, event

Notes

M

1

Getting to Know you

group start

M1 thru M4 are intended to be used together as the initial 4 sessions of a group just starting out together.  The goals of M1-M4 are to introduce SGM and to share some common stories.  The intimacy and deepness of sharing increases as the sessions progress.  Ideally, the group meets weekly during M1-M4. 

M

2

Sharing Our Histories

group start

M

3

Those Who have touched our lives

group start

M

4

Ministry the expression of our values

group start

G

5

Gratitude

Thanksgiving

This was written for Thanksgiving but could be used anytime

S

6

Gift of Change

Christmas

Change song and it could be a general session

G

7

Big Rocks

New Year

Session on setting priorities.  Good at New Years, but could be used any time of year.

G

8

Response to Terror

Sept 11 response

Originally written for 9/11 but could easily be reworked for other happenings

G

9

Friendship

Valentines

Possible outside activity.  Make valentines

G

10

Tension in UU principles between individual and interdependent web

sermon

Eploration type sharing

M

11

Circle as Container

Group strengthener

Group strengthener to be used  3-5 months after group start.  This session has no preparation

L

14

Serious illness

To be used when a member of the group has a serious illness.  Also can apply when someone in a members family has a serious illness.

G

17

Parenting and Mentoring

Mothers/ fathers Day

To be used between Mother's and Father's day.

M

18

SGM group birth

Acknowlege a major change in a group.

M

19

Member Left

Member is gone

Acknowlege that a member has gone without a chance to say goodbye.  If member is present use M25

G

20

Mountain Top Experience

Good general session.  Can be used on short notice

M

21

Add new member introduction

new member

M21 & M22 should be used together.  Preferably meeting weekly

M

22

Add new member values

new member

L

23

Pet Loss

death of a pet

Short ritual to comfort a member whose pet has died

G

24

Accepting gifts

This session is best if the members put some time into the preparation. 

M

25

Goodbye to member

Member is leaving

Short ritual to say goodbye to a member.  If member is already gone see M19

L

26

Major problem with child

Parenting prob

short ritual

L

27

Child leaving home

parenting prob

short ritual

S

30

Resurrection

Easter

Preparation needs revising

G

31

Our Place in Nature

Earth day

List of ecological service projects accompanies this session

G

32

Presuming Innocence

Good general session.  Can be used on short notice

G

33

Stages of Faith

Marie's sermon

Really interesting look at spiritual development.  Preparation is difficult but worth it. 

G

34

The Need for Religious Community

This is a 2 session topic.  G35 is the follow on session.  G60 relates to it as well

G

35

Our Ministry in the Church Community

This is a 2 session topic.  G34 is the first session.

L

37

Birthdays

member birthday

short ritual

G

38

Play's the Thing

Good general session.  Can be used on short notice

G

41

Taking a Stand

Appropriate anytime, but especially in this time of impending war

G

42

Labels

Guided Meditation, could be done with no preparation

L

51

Sad Occurrence

general sad occurrence

More resources could be added to the leader notes.

L

52

Happy Occurrence

general happy occurrence

Short ritual to celebrate the happy occurrence of a member

G

53

The Spaces in Between

This session requires some time for the preparation.  Can't be used on short notice

G

54

Take Your Time

Good general session.  Can be used on short notice

G

55

Books that have changed my Life

Sunday

Good general session.  Can be used on short notice

G

57

Planting Creativity

based on poem by Shereen LaPlantz

G

58

Pure Joy

with quotes from Mike Pelizari's session

G

59

UU Principles - Essex converstion 1

See Francis Manly essay in essex conversions I published by the UUA.  The 4 sessions G59, G61-63 are a set.  They pair the prinples to more fully explore them.

G

60

Caring Community

This session together with G34 and G35 form a trio.  This also includes a focus on the 3rd principle

G

61

UU Principles - Essex converstion 2

see G59

G

62

UU Principles - Essex converstion 3

see G59

G

63

UU Principles - Essex converstion 4

see G59

S

69

Return of the Light

winter solstice

Focus on Earth Centered traditions.  60 minutes session.  Bring a candle

S

70

Our Work, Our Selves

labor day

Labor day session.  How is our vision of ourselves embodied in our work.

S

71

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead

This session can be reused each year.  Leader should prepare an alter, instructions in leader notes. 

G

73

Congruence of Belief and action

social action

triggered by pending Iraq invasion

M

74

Individual Reflections on SGM

3rd week of Sept

15 minute session to assess the need for change and birth of the group

G

75

Labyrinth

winter alternative

Use the Labyrinth at church. 

G

76

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Minister leaving

The preparation could be generalized to look at leave-takins and goodbyes.

G

77

Accomplishments

G77 and G81 are a pair.  G81 should be first, the G77

G

78

Stranger

Session focussed around the poem "The Stranger" by Peter Goblen

S

79

April Fools

April fools day

Look at the sacred clown.  This doesn't have to be seasonal

L

80

Overwhelmed

Short ritual to comfort a member who is overwhelmed

G

81

Failure

G77 and G81 are a pair.  G81 should be first, the G77

S

82

Passover: A Tale of Liberation

Passover

Contains background material on Passover in prep.

L

84

When the Shooting Starts

War

Short ritual to acknowlege the tragedy of war

G

85

A Time of War

War has broken out

this is a full session to let people share their reactions to the war and try to understand the origins of their feelings.

G

87

Spirituality of Housework

Includes an embodied practice.  Be sure and read the leader notes carefully.

G

88

The Art of Giving

canvass time

This session takes a look at our giving practices

G

89

Creative Idleness

Create a virtual sabbatical

G

90

Wage Peace

G

92

Do We Pray?

UU's view of prayer

G

93

How much is Enough

L

94

Lindi Said Goodbye

Minister gone

This short ritual acknowleges the feelings of Lindi having gone.

S

95

Path of Forgiveness

Jewish High Holy days

Preparation gives background on Jewish holy days

G

96

Sprit of Place

G

98

Balance

G

99

Passion

G

100

Radical Affirmation

S

101

What if God was one of us

Advent season

Based on popular song

G

102

Living in our Bodies

M

103

Death of a Member

Member of group dies

The focus is on each member's feelings about this loss, not a memorial service for the member who has died

G

104

Appearances

S

106

Our Fathers

Father's Day

G

107

Destiny and Grace

G

108

What Makes a Community Work?

This session together with G109 are preparation for our interim work on envisioning ourselves.

G

109

Sorting Our Values

This session together with G108 are preparation for our interim work on envisioning ourselves.  The leader notes contain extra materials.  Preparation takes extra time

M

113

Leader Has Stepped Down

Originally created by Colleen Cabot

G

115

Uncertainty

based on Lilias Idea

G

116

I Hope You Dance

G

117

Learning By Heart

B

119

Big Question: Do We Need Religion?

theme topic on the big questions that religions try to answer.  This session will introduce the theme.

B

120

Big Question: Who or What is in Charge?

B

121

Big Question: What happens when you die?

How do we face death?

B

123

Big Question: What is our place in the universe?

G

126

Radical Hospitality

G

128

Passage Meditation

S

135

Freedom and Independence

Independence day

4th of July session

G

137

The Listening Ear

PACT listening campaign

S

138

Holiday Moments

December

S

139

At the Years End

Thanksgiving, or end of year time

G

140

Hope In a Time of Darkness

G

141

Wisdom, Courage and Serenity

Serenity Prayer

S

142

After the Election

2004 presidential election

order of worship only

G

143

Is it a Boy or a Girl

welcoming congregation

G

144

Movies that have changed my life

Movies-spiritual cinema-how does what we see affect us?

M

145

Creating A Small Group Ministry Covenant

g

146

our vision of the future

candidating week

g

147

After the Catastrophe

S

148

Hotel Earth

Earth day

S

149

Sharing the Water of Life

after summer (homecoming Sunday)

This will parallel homecoming Sunday.  Let the leaders know ASAP to save water for this session. Leader notes re: setup

G

150

Mission Centered Church

Include our Mission Statement.  Get information from NPJ.

G

152

Ministry of Hospitality

theme

Relates to Thanksgiving.  Belongs to everyone, not just a committee
List any jobs needed (ushers, coffee, etc.)
Service projects: Bring treats to make coffee hour special, Make it your mission to welcome everyone new that Sunday, Wear your name tag

G

153

Food & Spirituality

Vegetarianism
Grace before meals
Hunger and resource distribution
Service Projects: Make food for homeless meals. 

G

154

What is the Sabbath

G

155

Professional Ministry

Nancy's installation

G

156

Life Goals

G

158

Ministry of Evangelism

What is your reaction to this word?
What impels us or holds us back from sharing our faith?

G

166

The Romance of Travel

L

173

On Sept 11

observance of Sept 11

G

174

Pagan Peace Ritual

G

175

Science vs. Religion

related to Nancy's newsletter column

G

176

Powerful Beyond Measure

social action session

G

177

Our Vision of the Bible

Bible class and sermon

G

178

Coping with Negative Emotions

G

179

Ethical Wills

G

180

Checking Our Ethical Pulse

G

181

Self Care

sermon

G

184

Unsent Mail

based on poem by Rhina P. Espaillat

G

185

Flowers

From Barbara Grovers group

G

187

Our Relationship with the Earth

fall retreat

written for the fall church retreat.

G

188

Our Source Tradition

G

189

Animails in Our Lives

G

190

Happiness

S

191

Each of Us Has a Mother

G

192

Heros

G

193

Fear

G

194

Where would we be without UU

G

195

Meaning of Home

S

197

Anticipation vs experience

Winter Holiday Season

G

198

Reconsidering the principles

G

199

My Migration Story

G

200

Everyday Mindfulness