Live from UU PLANET

UU? Board at work? I'd love some feedback on my new site www.uuplanet.com . This is the new home for my UU consulting & training work. This includes all my Small Group Ministry guest speaking, direct consultations, etc..

But there is MUCH MUCH MORE than small group ministry on this site.

Chek out our Fall 2005 Programs

CRAP! Small Group Ministry works...

I betcha never thought you'd hear me say that!

Peter? How could you.

I'm excited and perplexed. You see, we've created a problem. Small Group Ministry, this wonderful grassroots movement of ours, is working. It is growing. More congregations are working with it all the time. Many of our leaders are psyched because it is a growth producing ministry that they have not had to push for.

It pushes itself, driven UU passion for connection, meaning, and engagement in the world.

I love that it is a grassroots movement. Just like real GRASS, it spreads on its own.

Do you have a lawn? Same deal.

Just because a movement takes off on its own doesn't mean it takes care of itself. It needs help. And the GRASS is coming to me and our network looking for it. Our highly visible network is getting more and more and more consultation calls and emails. Where is this heading? At this rate we could work full time helping our congregations with small group ministry in no time at all.

So, the more successfully we are at our work, the greater the demand on our underfunded network. That's the CRAP part.

Ah! But the gras is greener on the other side. There is hope!

At GA I am going to use my mental powers to will a big donor into existence. I will visualize it and she / he will come to our booth. In case this fails I will also buy a lottery ticket this Saturday. ALL OF YOU can visualize my winning the $180 Million. I'll give all of it to UU charities focusing on Small Group Ministry -- LESS the cost of my divinity school and expenses while attending divinity school.

In case that doesn't work I've started a page that is designed to convince you to make a minor donation to fund our work. NOW, many of you don't care. That's fine. If that is you, please go to the page, check it out, then use the form mid-page to suggest techniques for convincing everyone ELSE to help out. You might not be loaded, you might not be UU, but you're smart and understand small group ministry.

GO LOOK AT THE GRASS -- CLICK HERE.

Going to GA? Facilitators need for 50 Covenant Groups

Friends,

If you are going to GA and are an experienced small group ministry/covenant group facilitator PLEASE consider leading on of the many groups being offered this year. The following is from Connie Grant , the GA Covenant Group registrar.

GA Covenant Group Facilitators Needed

Volunteer facilitators are needed for Covenant Groups at General Assembly in Fort Worth. We anticipate filling 50 groups, which will meet four times in hour-and-a-quarter sessions. If you have facilitated a group in your home congregation for one year or more, you are invited to apply to facilitate a group at General Assembly. For an application form or for more information, please contact the Rev. Connie Grant at GAcovenantgroups@aol.com.

Free copy of our Small Group Ministry journal

In honor of its one year anniversary I am pleased to share a complimentary copy of the SGM Quarterly, the journal of the UU Small Group Ministry Network. With this issue we complete our first full year of publication! The SGM Quarterly contains articles by denominational small group ministry leaders, tips and tools for leaders, and information on our many upcoming regional events. It is mailed to our members seasonally.

The theme of this is SERVICE.

Download a copy of the SPRING QUARTERLY (216 KB):
http://www.smallgroupministry.net/pdf/SGMQuarterly_Spring05.pdf

Best,
Peter