Have you recently joined the church and are trying to find out how to connect with people? Is coffee hour in Deale Hall a little intimidating? Here are some suggestions about how you can meet and get to know your fellow UU's in smaller group settings.

Join a covenant group
Covenant groups (9-12 people) meet once or twice a month for two hours in members' homes. There are some opening words, a "check in" where each member has an opportunity to share what's going on in their life, discussion of a relevant, interesting topic, and a closing. Covenant groups also participate in a community service project. Contact the church office.

Attend a Unisupper
Unisuppers are pot luck dinners held in members' homes. They are scheduled at intervals during the church year. Watch KAIROS or call the church office to find out when the next one is scheduled.

Attend the women's or men's retreat
These are Friday evening through Sunday morning retreats held annually at George Williams Campus on Lake Geneva. The men's is the last weekend in February, the women's is in January. The retreats afford an opportunity to socialize, relax, play, participate in some organized activities, and generally have a good time and get to know other UU's. Watch KAIROS or call the church office.

Go for a walk with the Ramblers
Enjoy walking and being outdoors? The Ramblers meet once a month after church on Sunday and go for a 1-2 hour hike at various area parks and forest preserves. Watch KAIROS or call the church office to find out when the next outing will be.

Meet with the Young Adult Group
If you are (more or less) 18-35 you might want to consider meeting with this group.They meet two to three times a month after coffee hour for social, fellowship, or community service activities. For more information contact the church office or Davina Novoselac at beadenergy@yahoo.com

Attend a VSP Luncheon
If you are 55 or over you can have lunch at church followed by an interesting program. VSP meets at 12:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Check KAIROS for program information.

Volunteer for Trash or Treasure
Our church turns into one gigantic garage sale once a year in March. It all starts right after the Sunday service at the end of February and keeps going through the following Saturday afternoon. Sunday through Thursday is sorting, organizing, and tagging. Friday and Saturday is the sale. You can volunteer for a couple of hours (or more ... or not). It's a great way to get to know people.

Attend a committee meeting
We have MANY committees! Committees function on two levels. On one level they help further the church's mission, vision, and goals. On another level they provide a way for members to get to know and appreciate one another. Some have appointed or elected members, but most are open to all. Check them out. Click here. Contact the chair for meeting location and time.

Just about everything that goes on at our church is open to everyone-- non-members as well as members. The calendar on the back page of the Kairos (and posted here on the web site) is a good place to check out the range of activities that are coming up in the near future.

And if you have an idea for a program you'd like to see our church sponsor, please get in touch with one of our ministers. They can help you get the appropriate committee or group or tell you what you need to know to organize an activity yourself. That's what our Shared Ministry is all about.