WHO PARTICIPATES IN CHALICE CIRCLES?

Participation is voluntary and open to any First Unitarian member or friend of First U age 15 or older. Chalice Circles is spiritual practice and it’s not the only way to take a deeper dive into Unitarian Universalism or find meaningful connections. It’s a choice, not an obligation. You will want to review the current Participants’ Guide before deciding to register for a circle. For those who have read the guide and are still curious but first want to give it a try (without obligation), we periodically offer Chalice Circle Sampler Sessions. Watch the Order of Service and Mid-Week Updates for announcements or contact the organizers at [email protected] to find out when a sampler session is coming up or to set up a time to discuss the Chalice Circles experience.

HOW ARE CIRCLES FORMED?

Our Chalice Circles coordinators compose each circle based primarily on their preferred meeting times and participant availability. Formation of new groups is ongoing and new members are invited to also join existing groups when there is room available.
Generally, the participants in most circles are not selected for any sort of personal connection – to avoid having a circle become a “clique” or exclusionary. The aim is to forge connections that are both meaningful and new and perhaps unexpected in some
way. Each circle will have participants with past Chalice Circle experience who can lend their experience toward ensuring the circle runs smoothly, although everyone shares in the leadership or collaboration that ensures a thriving circle. Each circle will need to identify a volunteer “Convener” who will send reminders for the next meeting time and place and selected topic for their circle and make copies of the session plan. The Convener can change from meeting to meeting or rotate among several volunteers. All
participants in the circle are, within their own comfort levels, invited and encouraged to lead the circle through specific session plans and help organize other activities as the participants become familiar with the Chalice Circle experience and become better acquainted with the other members of their circle.

WHAT IS THE “CURRICULUM”?

Chalice Circles follow the monthly ministry themes outlined by the Woven Faith ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Association (see below for the list of themes for this year). The basic outline for a session includes a check-in, some readings on the theme, some prompts to consider the theme, and time for sharing and deep listening. This type of structure encourages deeper self-exploration, it fosters spiritual growth, and it builds a tighter First U community. A key spiritual element of Chalice Circles is that each circle creates its own covenant. We begin with the “spine” of a covenant that each circle is free to modify as the participants see fit, working by consensus. The UUA describes covenant as “the silk that joins Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations, communities, and individuals together in a web of interconnection. The practice of promising to walk together is theprecious core of our creed-less faith. ‘Covenant’ is both a noun and a verb. It can be a written agreement among individual community members promising to behave in certain ways, and it can mean to engage in mutual promises with Spirit, with other people and communities.” The “art” of covenanting – creating covenant, being in covenant, revising our covenant, and even finding our way back into covenant when it breaks down – is a distinctly UU skill that we can apply outside of our church experiences. Additionally, at some point during the year, each Chalice Circle takes on service projects of their own choosing and design. Participation in a service project is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. The purpose of the service project is to connect spiritual thinking with spiritual action – and vice-versa – and to engage in this praxis collectively. The larger aim is to encourage us to make a regular practice of tying our actions and
choices to our spiritual center as Unitarian Universalists.

HOW DO YOU SIGN UP?

It could not be easier! During our August-September open registration, look for an on- line registration link below. Otherwise, simply contact the Chalice Circles coordinators at [email protected] to advise them of the days/times you are available. Someone will be in touch with you to discuss Chalice Circles and then you will be invited to a group that fits your schedule.

2026-2027 Registration Link: 

Register Here! (You may register throughout the year via this link or via e-mail, however priority for assignment to a circle is given to those who register before September 21, 2026.)

Next Sampler Session:

Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 10 am in the Library. Contact the organizers at [email protected] to learn more. No RSVP required.

These are the Woven Faith themes for 2026-2027:

September: Interdependence
October: Living the Questions
November: Covenant
December: Pluralism
January: Courageous Love
February: Equity
March: Transformation
April: Generosity
May: Expressing the Faith
June: Justice
(Note: Circles that meet twice monthly will choose an additional topic for their second
meeting of each month.)