Here are some covenants that Chalice Circles have adopted.

Covenant A

We agree to:

Trust, respect, and appreciate each other

Respect confidentiality

RSVP - regrets only

Start and end on time

Strive for brevity

Stay on topic

Use non-judgmental reminders such as "Let's move on"

Share time, service and leadership

Covenant B

Respect and follow the meeting format

RSVP either way

Respect confidentiality

Speak one at a time

Listen respectfully and deeply without interruption or judgment

Share time fairly

Speak from personal experience, using “I” statements

Listen to understand and only give advice if asked

Refrain from side conversations

No one should be pressured to speak

Covenant C

Be faithful to the Purpose statement and support the group Leader.

Purpose: The Chalice Circle program is part of UUCF’s ministry—it provides a structure within which the members minister to each other. ChaliceCircles encourage people in their spiritual growth and help them develop relationships of substance and depth. The subject matter of Chalice Circles is the members’ life experiences. Chalice Circles are a sacrament of right relationship among the members and between the group and our Congregation.

Begin more or less on time and end on time or earlier.

Respect confidentiality.

Listen respectfully and deeply, without interruption.

Refrain from giving advice.

Speak from personal experience, using “I” statements.

Refrain from side conversations.

Respect differing views.

RSVP when it is necessary to miss Circle.

Covenant D

Today I commit myself:

To share deeply when it is my turn

To share with the facilitator the responsibility for good group process by watching how much time I take to speak and noticing what is going on for others

To honor the safety of the group by listening to what others share with an open heart and my full attention

To refrain from cross-talk, judging, or giving unsolicited advice

To speak only once before everyone in the group has spoken

To respect the confidentiality of what is shared

To be as fully present to this gathering of people as I can be

To attend our regular gatherings, arriving on time and committing to the length of the session

To trust, respect, and appreciate each other

To understand that someone may not care to share from time to time and that passing is OK

To allow silence so that the group may listen without worrying what to say next

Covenant E

We agree to:

Hold confidential what is shared

Refrain from judgmental comments

Stay on topic

Practice quiet, respectful listening

Provide a safe place to share

Allow silence

Be honest in who we are and accept each other

Give everyone time to speak

Actively participate

Commit to consistent attendance

RSVP to the whole group - regrets only

Reach out through service to our UUCF community and the community at large.

Covenant F

No interrupting

Respectful listening

Humor

Confidentiality

Start/End on time

Loyalty/Commitment

Explore personal experience . . . deeply

Don’t monopolize/Share forum

RSVP regrets

Stay on topic

Agree to follow format

No unsolicited advice

Covenant G

Listen respectfully and deeply

Start and end on time

RSVP (regrets only)

Tolerance and understanding

Trust

Honesty

Transparency

Respect

Confidentiality

Silence is OK

Stay on topic

Share group time

No attacking or criticism

Attendance & Commitment

Non-judgmental reminders

No interruption

No advice or “fixing”

One person speaks at a time

Shared leadership

No side conversations

Speak from personal experience

Use “I” statements

Passing is OK

Brevity

Humor

Covenant H

Remembering that our purpose is spiritual growth, mutual ministry and the development of relationships of depth and substance, we members of this Chalice Circle agree:

To commit to regular attendance at gatherings

To start and end our meetings on time

To let the facilitator know in advance if we cannot attend

To keep cell phones off during sharing sessions

To respect and follow the meeting format

To ensure that each person has had a chance to speak before others speak again

To listen to each speaker with full attention and without interrupting

To maintain the confidentiality of each member

To allow silence if a member wishes to pass

To speak honestly and deeply from our own personal experiences