COMMA GROUP - LGBTQIA

Next Gathering: February 25th @ 6pm

The Meal: El Pollo Loco at Martin’s

  • Dietary Considerations: Should you bring something that has any of the following, please make sure it is well labeled and space is given between it and other items for consideration of other people's experiences.

    Allergies - Cherries, walnuts, eggs, sensitivity to wheat/grains      

    Diet Restrictions - No Beef

    Is yours not listed? Send a private email and I will add it. Remember, you can still bring something that violates the above just make sure it is clearly labeled so the appropriate people avoids it.

Tasks To be Completed:

  • Bring a dessert/side/Beverage: email what you are bringing

  • Think of March availability

  • Read chapters 7,8,9

Discussion starters for “An Altar in the World: Geography of Faith” by Barbara Brown Taylor

Chapter 7.  T

  • Check back in two weeks

  • Check back in two weeks

Chapter 8.  T

  • Check back in two weeks

  • Check back in two weeks

Chapter 9: T

  • Check back in two weeks

  • Check back in two weeks

What are Comma Groups:

Comma Groups are intended to give IUCC members a sense of deeper connection and relationship, to encourage growth in faith through discussion and fellowship. Resources will be provided for each month’s topic; no one needs to be an expert. Instead, each of you is invited to share from your life experience and current understanding. Comma Groups are a safe space.

Directions For Hosting:

Thank you for volunteering to host our next comma group gathering! As the host, there are three major decisions you will need to decide; Location, Consumption, Discussion.

1. Location - Many comma groups find themselves hosting at IUCC and we are fine doing just that. If you have an alternative location in mind, we can meet there as long as it can appropriately accommodate 8 people. Please understand that a public venue (with the exception of December) may not be appropriate as people will be less willing to discuss what is on their minds and heart. Once you decide if you want to host at IUCC or a different venue, let me know so I can reserve a room.

2. Consumption - The primary objectives of a comma group is to enjoy meaningful company while breaking bread. While you can do an open ended potluck, you can also do a themed gathering as well (ie: sushi, taco, etc). Once you decide the theme, you can either assign people specific things to bring, have a list of stuff you want people to bring and let them pick what they want to bring, or let people decide what they want to bring to go with said theme. Unless you require themed utensils, non-consumables will be borrowed from hospitality supplies as they purchase in bulk. 

3. Discussion - You will be given the opportunity to moderate! Only if you want to. If you are not comfortable with moderation, the leaders would be happy to moderate every single gathering. If you want to moderate and need some guidance on how to do so, please co-ordinate with the leaders and they will be happy to give you some advice. Provided are suggested discussion topics for each chapter but these are not required to be used and an organic discussion is always preferred over a structured one. If you choose to use your own discussion points, please phrase them in a way to reference the chapters recommended for reading.

While you are the moderator (if you choose to), you are not expected to regulate your peers. Should someone be violating the comma group agreement (like trying to persuade someone their line of thought is wrong or not valid), then leaders will step in to politely put things back on track.

Comma Group Agreement:

The purpose of this IUCC Comma Group is to share our personal experiences, beliefs, and values; to learn together; and to build relationships. To be effective, we agree to: Attend Regularly - We agree to attend and participate in group meetings as best we are able, and to notify an organizer if we are not able.

Confidentiality - For safety and respect, personal information shared in the group stays within the group.

Listen - We agree to listen attentively and respectfully. We will not interrupt or ask a question before a person is done speaking, and we will make time for all to participate. We will avoid “fixing” or advice-giving during the group discussion.

Create Safe Space - We share experiences and views that are personally meaningful, but may not be valid for all. We will respect and strive to understand views different from our own. We may pass at any time in the discussion.

Respond Respectfully - Rather than label opinions as “right” or “wrong,” we may see them as “helpful” or “not helpful” for each of us. We may simply say, “Gee, I see things diff erently.”

Prayer and Care - We will make time for prayer or meditation at each gathering. We will show caring to one another as we are able.

Comfort - We may get up or speak up to attend to personal comfort at any time.