Monthly Theme Circles

Sign up for Theme Circles

What is a Theme Circle? Theme circles are monthly small groups that deepen and support the spiritual journeys of participants in community with each other and in connection with the church’s monthly worship themes.

Is this a sermon discussion group? No, the goal is not to explore the sermons in more depth, but to explore the monthly themes in more depth. Sunday services enrich the experience of the theme, but are not the focus of Theme Circles.

What is the focus of Theme Circles? Connection to self, others, and that which is larger than ourselves through engaging reflective questions, short readings, spiritual exercises and sharing our experience in a space of trust.

What do we mean by spiritual exercise? Spiritual exercise goes beyond the question “What do you think?” and invites us into the deeper question: “Where are you willing to let your faith take you?” The goal is to get us out of our heads and into our lives. This is not to say we leave thinking behind. Instead, the aim of the spiritual exercises is to challenge our tendency to use “objective analysis” as an escape. By pushing us to engage and talk about “what is really going on in our lives,” we find ourselves challenged not just to think differently, but also to live differently.

Who can participate in a Theme Circle? Theme Circles are open to First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee members, pledging friends and regular guests who register during the annual fall registration period.

What is expected of Theme Circle members? Each month, members engage in pre-reading and contemplation exercises based on that month’s worship theme. Materials are sent in advance for participants to delve into whatever level works for them.

Because Theme Circles only meet once a month and focus on spiritual exploration within community, we expect participants to make every effort to attend all meetings. If you already know you will miss more than two meetings, please wait to register until next year.

What do Theme Circle meetings look like? Here is a sample format:

• Centering (Opening words, chalice lighting, followed by a moment of silent reflection)
• Brief Check-In – around 15-20 minutes
• Spiritual Exercises – around 40 minutes (Members share which spiritual exercises they chose and how it went)
• Engaging the Questions – around 40 minutes (Members practice deep listening as they share their experience ‘living the questions’ related to the month’s theme)
• Check-Out – around 10 minutes
• Closing Words

How often do Theme Circles meet? Theme Circles meet once a month for two hours during the third week of the month from October to June. Circles include up to eight participants guided by a trained facilitator.

Hear about how Theme Circles enhanced Amy’s life.

Learn about Focused Theme Circles

LGBTQI+ Theme Circle.   The LGBTQI+ community has a unique context in which to engage our hearts and minds through our shared connectedness, offering a safe space to express our lives and differences with each other. This new Theme Circle follows the regular format with people who self-identify in the queer community demographic.

Parents Theme Circle.   Join other parents of school-age and younger children to explore our monthly worship themes. This Theme Circle is designed to accommodate the needs of parents, so it meets for a shorter time span (1.5 hours). We encourage parents to hold the attendance and homework commitment as best you can. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer childcare this year.

UU Writers Theme Circle.   Explore our monthly themes through the art of creative writing! Use whatever writing practice you are most comfortable with (journaling, poetry, prose, storytelling). Follow the writing prompts and choose a writing exercise from the monthly packet. Come to your group ready to share, inspire, support and witness each other.

Theme Circle options include Online only, In-person only, and In-person w/option to join via Zoom. Please read the options carefully before you register.

REGISTER AT THIS LINK.  Open for Registration September 1.

2024-25 Schedule