{"id":7140,"date":"2024-08-02T20:00:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T03:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/?page_id=7140"},"modified":"2026-02-11T10:36:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:36:14","slug":"small-group-ministry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/connection\/small-group-ministry","title":{"rendered":"Small Group Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-7585\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?resize=420%2C420&amp;ssl=1 420w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?resize=250%2C250&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2025-26-instagram-themes.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-7586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=420%2C420&amp;ssl=1 420w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?resize=250%2C250&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Color-Flames-scaled.jpg?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Soul Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Recognizing the Unitarian Universalist call to minister to each other andto the world, this group provides a unique opportunity to engage in the spiritual practice of deep listening. In joining this group, you can expect to gather each month with 5-8 Unitarian Universalists to explore our church\u2019s monthly theme through an at-home packet of spiritual readings, videos, music, and soul-searching questions.<\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"s2\">Why Join a\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s2\">Soul Matters group<\/span><span class=\"s2\">?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participate in a supportive, nurturing group setting that facilitates spiritual growth and mutual caring.<\/li>\n<li>Grow at your own pace and in your own way through authentic speaking, deep listening, reflecting, and serving.<\/li>\n<li>Explore your own values by articulating them in a supportive setting.<\/li>\n<li>Develop friendships with interesting people you might otherwise never get to know.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The format of the meetings helps participants set aside daily distractions, reflect on their lives and beliefs, and make meaningful connections with one another. Through sharing their wisdom, members leave each meeting with a deeper understanding of themselves and of each other. Each\u00a0Soul Matters group\u00a0becomes a small, personal community of listening and caring\u00a0in the midst of\u00a0a large congregation.\u00a0The intimacy of these spiritual groups enriches the participants\u2019 lives with greater depth of meaning.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Small Group Ministry\u00a0generally runs\u00a0from\u00a0<strong>September\u00a0through\u00a0June<\/strong>. While it is nice to start in\u00a0a group\u00a0at the beginning, you may join at any time!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There is <strong>no cost<\/strong> to join, and you do not have to be a member of the church to participate. Soul Matters groups most often take place at the church or online on Zoom, but we also encourage facilitators to run groups out of their homes whenever possible.<\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"s2\">What a\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s2\">Soul Matters group<\/span><span class=\"s2\"> is intended to be:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to deepen our spirituality through a shared practice.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to share our thoughts on life\u2019s big questions.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to connect across age, gender, ethnic, economic and other differences.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to be engaged, included, and heard in a safe, nurturing environment.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to bring together the newer and the longtime members in our community.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to deepen our practice of shared UU principles.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to practice service from within a small community.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A way to develop our connections with the rest of the congregation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><span class=\"s2\">What a\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s2\">Soul Matters group<\/span><span class=\"s2\"> is NOT intended to be:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s8\">A social club, although ties between church members deepen through\u00a0this program\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A debate society, although many important topics are discussed.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A support or therapy group, although the atmosphere is positive.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A worship service, although the meetings and topics have a strong spiritual tone.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A rigid template of activities, although there are general guidelines to follow.<\/li>\n<li class=\"s8\">A closed club, although groups must be limited in size to be effective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Contact Elaine V\u00a0<a href=\"mlainey1@gmail.com\">mlainey1@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-7211 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=845%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"845\" height=\"451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=420%2C224&amp;ssl=1 420w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=1024%2C546&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=768%2C409&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=1536%2C819&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?resize=2048%2C1091&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/F938A631-7B7A-466E-B8C3-B67650EBF818.png?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Curious?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Contact Elaine Vogelstein (Lainey) for more information at <a href=\"http:\/\/mlainey1@gmail.com\">mlainey1@gmail.com.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soul Matters Recognizing the Unitarian Universalist call to minister to each other andto the world, this group provides a unique opportunity to engage in the spiritual practice of deep listening. In joining this group, you can expect to gather each month with 5-8 Unitarian Universalists to explore our church\u2019s monthly theme through an at-home packet &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/connection\/small-group-ministry\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Small Group Ministry<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"parent":1806,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7140","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Small Group Ministry - UU Fellowship of Stanislaus County<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stanuu.org\/uufsc\/connection\/small-group-ministry\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Small Group Ministry - UU Fellowship of Stanislaus County\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Soul Matters Recognizing the Unitarian Universalist call to minister to each other andto the world, this group provides a unique opportunity to engage in the spiritual practice of deep listening. 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