Small Group Fellowship (SMF) is a program in which small groups of people regularly meet to share their lives and insights with one another, while developing warm caring relationships.

Going Deeper - SGF encourages us to grow deeper theologically, relationally, spiritually.

Reaching Out Wider - SGF enables us to reach out to more people who need what we offer, and welcome them into our community.

Caring Community - SGF helps us develop more intimate personal relationships with one another. It also brings us together in ways that allow us to share our celebrations, challenges, worries, and crises, as we choose. There is more opportunity for us to show our care for one another.

Healing Community - SGF can provide a healing balm for the isolation and disconnection of modern life. SGM can help us connect to others in meaningful ways; to be known and to know others; to grow in social, emotional, and spiritual resources; and to grow in service. These gifts of being known and valued are gifts of true community.

Developing New Leaders - Leadership is encouraged and developed through apprenticing, training, and the ongoing coaching of facilitators.

Celebrating Diversity - Members learn from each other's unique perspectives and appreciation of differences.

• Groups of six to twelve people meet for a two-hour discussion on different topics twice a month (or however frequently they decide). Each group has a trained facilitator and an assistant leader-in-training (apprentice).
• The programme format is designed to promote active discussion -- some sharing of our lives and thoughts, and gentle caring. The discussion is oriented toward sharing. It is not like therapy nor is it an intellectual discussion, per se -- there is no debate, no working towards a conclusion or consensus on any topic.
• These meetings do not replace Sunday morning worship services. The two are intended to complement one another.
• Groups generally meet in members' homes, recognizing that not every member can provide a place for 6 - 12 people. Meeting at the church is an option. Each meeting includes an empty chair, symbolizing the intention to include new friends in the circle. When the group grows to 10 - 12 members, it gives "birth" to a new group, extending our ministry further.
• Each group decides on a specific way to serve the church together such as by working on a specific project they can collaborate on.
• Group facilitators meet regularly with our Minister in a Small Group Fellowship Steering Committee to discuss how the groups are doing, to bring in new skills and ideas, and to explore how the groups can be improved.

Do you have to be a Unitarian to participate? 
Our intention is to reach out and welcome into our church community people of a liberal religious orientation who need or are looking for a liberal religious home. It generally would not be appropriate to invite a person who already has a church home.

How do I join a Group? 
Contact the chair of the Small Group Fellowship Steering Committee to let them know of your interest: Rev. Meg Roberts (403) 230-8938.

Seniors' Group - The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for lunch. Contact: Jennie Paine.

Living in Spirit Group - The Living in Spirit (Theist) Small Group is oriented to those who believe in a benevolent ordering principle in the universe. The group meets at 7:30 PM on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Contact: Carl Svoboda.

Humanist-Philosophic Group - The Humanist-Philosophic Small Group meets twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. Contact: Bruce Godwin.

South City Group - The South City Friends meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month in Shawnessy or Midnapore at 11:30 AM. Bring a bag lunch, coffee and tea provided. We have lunch and visit until 12:30 and then an hour is spent on an interesting discussion on a topic of our choice. Contacts: Verna Pollock or Iris Torfason. 

NEW! On-Line Small Group - We will be offering an on-line small group, so if you want to have a place to add depth to your spiritual life but have a busy schedule and can't commit to a regular time each week (due to family or work commitments), we may have an option for you!  Contact Rev. Meg Roberts (230-8938 ) to explore this new format.