Training Day on facilitating Small Group Ministry/Engagement groups

Leicester Unitarian Fellowship has an Engagement group which exists to explore the spiritual aspect of our lives outside of Sunday Gatherings. Although Engagement groups are intended to support the members of Unitarian communities which meet together for Sunday services, deepening the connections within those communities, some of our members prefer just coming to the Engagement group, without feeling they have to attend a Sunday Gathering. Some of us have discussed, in fact, as to whether this is one of the ways forward for Unitarianism. Indeed, the Engagement group process is also known as Small Group Ministry.  

As facilitator for the Leicester Engagement Group, I attended a training day for facilitators at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, run by the Minister there, Rev. Jim Robinson and by Dr. Jane Blackall, a member of Kensington Unitarians. Two other people from the Leicester group, Mark Baverstock and Lydya Tappleby, also attended, as they are planning to set up a new Engagement group seeded from the present one.*** In all, there were 17 people at the day, mostly from the south of England, including Ministers and two student Ministers. (Another training day is being held in York for those in the North.)  

So why is a training day needed if these groups are, as many seem to think, simply some Unitarians getting together for a discussion? Well, Engagement groups are much more than that. They are intended to deepen our spiritual life, to create spiritual community and for us to practice 'right relationship' with one another, as we hope to do in the wider world too. All groups need a structure, and Jim and Jane suggested one which included having a defined opening and closing, a check-in and check out, and a spiritual activity that centres the group and each person, such as a short silent meditation.

Engagement Sharing Principles for us to draw on were also discussed. We shared ways in which a group could work together; for example, with people not criticizing one another's points of view, listening with respect, no cross-talking, and speaking in the spirit of loving-kindness. Of course, the challenge for a facilitator is to make sure that this is put this into practice! We each took a problem that could arise in the group process, such as someone dominating the group or two people talking while someone else is sharing, and thought about how we would deal with it and what we would say, in an affirming manner. It was most helpful to practice this, as well as practicing listening skills with a partner, which included a limited (thank goodness!) time of 'not listening' and not being listened to.  

We were also able to discuss common issues and it was inspiring to hear others' experiences and ideas. Jim and Jane successfully modelled an authentic way of running a group throughout the day, encouraging and supporting all of us in our sharing and learning. We also took part in spiritual activity - lighting the chalice with a silent meditation to ground and centre us, and opening and closing check-ins. A Resource Pack from the Engagement Support Panel was given to us as well as our hand-outs, to take away and ponder over at home.

All in all, we went away enthused and delighted at having the opportunity to meet one another and to train together with two experienced mentors in the glorious Chapel at Rosslyn Hill.
Many thanks to Jim and Jane.   

Rowan Songsmith

***The new group will be based in Market Harborough ,
and will hopefully start in the new year.
If you are interested, please e-mail Mark for further details.