Covenant and Affinity Groups

People come to UUSD looking for ways to broaden and deepen their spiritual growth. One of the ways we do that is through Covenant and Affinity Groups. We gather to share stories, ideas, joys, and sorrows and to create a community of support and caring. In these groups, we covenant with each other to listen deeply, speak honestly, and build trust

Covenant Groups

  • Each group is made up of 8-12 people who agree (covenant) to build and strengthen connections with each other and with our congregation.
  • Groups meet once a month to discuss spiritual growth, life experiences, and other topics of choice.
  • Group discussion helps us deepen our spiritual lives and connect more deeply with other group members.
  • Both new and long-term members have an opportunity to be in relationship in a smaller gathering.
  • Group members are asked to respect confidentiality of discussions, follow the UUSD Covenant of Good Relations, and attend meetings regularly.
  • We suggest you contact the coordinator of the group you’re interested in joining and let them know you’d like to come to a meeting. It’s helpful to commit to attending three meetings to see if you feel a good fit; that gives the group the same time to explore the fit with you as well.

Here is a list of current covenant groups, their coordinator (find their email addresses in Breeze), where they meet (some groups meet in one another’s homes), and date and time of each monthly meeting. If the group is listed as Full, that means they have reached the maximum number of people they feel can reasonably share and be heard by all in the group. Generally, groups reach a maximum of 13 people. Some groups prefer to have smaller membership.

Current Covenant Groups

  • Coastal – Irene Fick, 1stWednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Full
  • Connections – Cindy Arno ,2ndThursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Full
  • Family – Rev. Heather, Saturday monthly. 5-7 p.m. Open
  • Friends – Karen Lunstead, 3rdFridays, 7-9 p.m. Full
  • Goddess – Gail Hecky, 3rdTuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Open
  • Jesus Study – Judy Hayes, 3rdFridays, 3-5 p.m. Full
  • Lewes – Bobbi Dunham, 3rdTuesdays, 10-12 a.m. Full
  • Meditation Eastern Thought – Marty McLaren, 2ndThursdays, 1-5 p.m. Full
  • Men’s Group – Ken Loewy/Tom Delaney, 2ndSaturdays, 9-11 a.m. Open
  • Open Hearts – Kent McCullough, 2nd Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Open
  • Pagan Group – Ruth Lamothe, 3rdSaturdays, 1-2:30 p.m. Open
  • Seekers by the Sea – Deb Smith, 1stThursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Full
  • Spirit Seekers – Peter Bogetti, 2nd Mondays 1-3 p.m. Full
  • Spirit Sisters – Joann Saltzburg, 2ndWednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Full
  • Western – Tony Mattox, 4thMondays, 5:15 p.m. Open
  • New, Unnamed – Ruth Lamothe, 2ndMondays, 3-5 p.m. Open

Need more information? Contact our Covenant Group Council Chair, Ruth (find her in Breeze).

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups come together around a common interest or activity. Membership is fluid without the expectation of regular attendance of a covenant group although members often attend regularly because they love the chosen activity! Even without an established structure and a deeper commitment to honesty and openness as part of being in an affinity group, sharing and learning constantly flow. There’s a lot of laughter as well!

Current Affinity Groups

  • Book Club – Meets on the 1st Monday, 3:30-5 p.m., UUSD (except December) to discuss books chosen by the group.
  • Drumming Circle – Meets the 3 rd Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m., UUSD (except July and August)
  • Fiber Arts – Meets 3rd Monday, 6:30-8 p.m., church
  • Gay Men’s Group – Meets monthly on chosen Sunday evenings for dinner and discussion.
  • Memoir Writing – Meets monthly on the 1st Saturday, 10-11:45 a.m., UUSD (no July or August meeting)
  • On Aging – Meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at UUSD
  • Women Flying Solo – Meets often as organizers decide

Need more information? Contact our Covenant Group Council Chair, Ruth Lamothe (find her in Breeze).