A life circle is a small group of people (generally 12 or fewer) who have an affinity in common, something they all like to do, something for which they share a passion. The affinity could be almost anything, from gardening to spiritual growth, from bike riding to addiction recovery, from meditation to caring for others.
There are three kinds of life circles: discovery groups offer individuals a chance to discover themselves, their gifts, skills, beliefs, values, self-worth, and relationship to the divine; destiny groups help individuals listen for their callings and find their place in the world; and mission teams offer individuals opportunity to accomplish strategic tasks and ministries.
In our church, life circles will probably all share a loose structure, some ways they connect each time they meet:
Beyond this flexible structure, each group will write its own covenant when it begins to meet which will detail the purpose of the group, the duration of the group, the times of meeting, etc. Each group will have a trained leader, who shares the affinity of the group, and probably an intern or apprentice leader. Decisions in the groups will be made by consensus, not by majority rule. Groups will not be required to formally report to any board or staff members.
Learn more about Life Circles, the P.A.L.S. model, and Discovery, Destiny, and Mission models.
Life Circle Guidelines
Anyone who shares the affinity or passion that is the life circle's focus, and who agrees to the group-developed covenant, can join a life circle. Some circles will close to new members after a specified time while others may always remain open to new members. Each life circle will determine its own way of being. All life circles are expected to harmonize with the beliefs, values, vision, and mission of the Bath UCC faith community.
Life circles can be started or convened by anyone who's part of the Bath UCC faith community and who intentionally and consciously shares the beliefs, values, vision, and mission of the community. To start a circle, figure out what you are passionate about learning, reading, thinking about, or otherwise doing with a group of others; share your idea with the rest of us and with the community at large; find someone to partner with you as a co-leader (optional); seek out coaching and guidance from others in the community on effective faith-building and relationship-building flow, and start meeting! It's expected that all life circle leaders will meet as part of a monthly group to discuss leadership issues with others who have convened circles.
Conveners: Claire Berkowitz and Lynn Robbins
Timeframe: First meeting was held Sept. 6; will meet for 12 weeks, into December 2006.
This circle is reading parts of Brian McLaren's book, A Generous Orthodoxy and talking about the meaning and experience of faith. The circle is closed to new members.
Contact: Claire Berkowitz (mission [at] faithinbath [dot] org) or 443-2187; or Lynn Robbins (abides [at] gwi [dot] net] or 443-2287.
Convener: Gary Hersom
Timeframe: From May-July 2005.
This circle was an opportunity to explore together, to move the idea of faith from our heart to our heart to our soul.
Convener: Bill Bliss
Timeframe: Met from April 28 to June 30, on Thursday evenings.
This group explored faith through reading the book of Colossians, as well as through prayer and sharing.
Conveners: Claire Berkowitz
Timeframe: Met every other Monday night from March 28 to June 20, 2005.
Claire Berkowitz (443-2187) and Renee Stachmus were co-leaders of this circle, which focused on the book The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning.
Convener: Molly Williams
Timeframe: Met on Monday evenings for 8 weeks, from Sept. 27 through Nov. 15, 2004. The circle has now ended.
The purpose of the the group was to explore simple living in light of our faith journeys, in a supportive, open-minded, non-coercive environment.
Topical content of weekly meetings, developed by the Northwest Earth Institute, included the concept of simplicity as a religious practice or philosophy; living more with less; attitudes towards and use of money and time; 'how much is enough?'; countercultural living in a consumption-oriented society; and the practice of simplicity.
Conveners: Susanna Liller and Linda Merrill; now led by Susanna Liller and Ginny Freeman
Timeframe: Began meeting weekly in September 2004. Meets Sunday nights at the church.
Next Meeting: Every Sunday evening. Contact Susanna Liller for more info.
The purpose of the group is to explore prayer.
Conveners: Renee Railton and Ginny Freeman
Met every other Monday from March 15, 2004 to early June 2004 to explore earthcare issues.
Convener: Lucy Ingraham
Timeframe: Meets regularly.
The Shawl Knitting Life Circle met every first and third Tuesday of each month from Dec. 2003 to June 2004 and from Oct. 2004-June 21, 2005. This group re-formed as the Dorcas Mission Team under the leadership of Lucy Ingraham and continues its shawl ministry to serve God by helping people in our faith community and beyond. If you know someone who should receive a prayer/healing shawl, please give the name to Lucy or any member of the Dorcas Mission Team.
Contact Lucy for meeting dates/times/locations, and FMI. Also, more info available online.
Conveners: Jane Parry and Carolyn Heselton.
Timeframe: Met every other Tuesday from November 2003 through May 2004; resumed meeting from Sept.-Nov. 2004.
Next Meeting: Not currently meeting. Call Jane Parry FMI: 443.9121
The focus of our circle: sharing ways that we become aware of the ordinary, knowing that nothing is ordinary in the spiritual realm. Contact Jane (443.9121) or Carolyn (442.7144) for more info.
Convener: Buz Parry
Timeframe: Began meeting Oct. 2003. Generally meets every other Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the church. Goes on hiatus in summers.
Call Buz Parry (443.9121) for more info.
Conveners: Debbie Leighton and Christine James.
Timeframe: Began meeting summer 2003 and ended on April 13, 2004.
More information about this life circle here.