What Is a Small Faith–Sharing Community?
What is a Small Faith–Sharing Community
Jesus Christ promises, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of us felt forced to stay physically isolated or separated from others. One way that helped some of us to connect with others of our faith tradition during that time was by being a member of a Small Faith–Sharing Community. Similar types of communities, known by many different names, have existed since the time when the early church first began, when people began gathering in one another’s homes.
This Community is comprised of six to twelve members of the faith community who gather either in person or virtually online once a week or some other time interval, for one to two hours. For virtual gatherings, they use a video-conferencing program such as Zoom, Microsoft Meetings, Google Meetings, or another similar type of program. During these gatherings, the community discerns the Spirit’s presence, prays, reflects on the Sunday Gospel Reading, and discusses a video, article, or other resources about their faith. Those who are present respectfully listen to one another and, if they choose, share their thoughts, concerns, feelings, life experiences, and challenges of their faith in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental setting. One or two members of the community facilitate the process during the gathering.
The U.S. Bishops stated, “Small communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support and the shared experience of Christian living and service to church and society.” Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us" (NCCB/USCCB, 1999), presenting the Bishops "Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States." Moreover, you can view the Bishops' document, "Adult Education and Small Faith Community Sharing On Faithful Citizenship," offering some suggested formats and themes for conducting small faith-sharing community gatherings.
How Do You Start a Small Faith–Sharing Community?
You can start a group by inviting other persons of your faith community to join the Small Faith–Sharing Community. The ideal group size is between six to twelve members per session. This number of persons allows for a diversity of thoughts and experiences, while also allowing sufficient time for everyone to share if they choose. Each member commits to meet either in person or virtually online at an agreed upon day and time each week or some other time interval, for example, each Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. In the beginning, you may want to limit the commitment to a certain number of gatherings, such as four weekly sessions. Group members can then agree whether or not they wish to continue to gather together.
What is a Format for Gatherings of the Small Faith–Sharing Community?
Each gathering allows time for prayer, reflection, and sharing. The format to be followed depends on the duration allowed for each gathering, whether one or two hours. This website includes examples of formats and script for Facilitators to use for one-hour and two-hour long gatherings. Examples of the format for a gathering lasting two-hours can include the following items, with gatherings lasting only one hour normally excluding item (7):
(1) Members welcome one another and express their gratitude for each other’s presence.
(2) The group begins with welcoming God’s presence with a symbol (for example, a lighted candle representing the light of Christ, a bowl of water to remind us of our Baptismal promises, and a Bible), and offering an opening prayer. In the beginning, it is suggested that one written prayer be chosen to open the session each week. Later on, members can volunteer to choose to offer an opening prayer that speaks to them. Not everyone feels comfortable in offering an extemporaneous prayer. Many different prayers can be found through a search on the internet. (See the Resource Page for some suggested sites that offer a variety of prayers).
(3) One option after the opening prayer, is for the members to sit in silence, in the presence of one another and open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, for a period of 5 minutes or longer. At the conclusion of this time period, the “Glory Be” can be prayed together.
(4) Another option for the group is to include a song, many of which can be found through a search of YouTube, or the group could listen to one of the many songs whose links are listed in the "Music" section of "Links to Resources," on the top, left side of this website).
(5) Members share where they experienced the presence of God, what they are grateful for, or their experience of some person, moment, or event that touched their hearts during the preceding week. This is not a time for mundane concerns, politics, gossip, or the judgment of others. Rather, this is a time to actively listen with love, respect, compassion and without judgment to one another as they share their thoughts, experiences, concerns, and challenges of life or their faith.
(6) Members read and reflect on next Sunday’s Gospel reading and share about any word, phrase, or insight that caught their attention, what comforted them or challenged them, how the Spirit spoke to them, or what will continue to resonate with them.
(7) Depending on the time allowed for the gatherings, the group may plan to view or listen to a video or audio presentation during the gathering, or discuss any video or audio presentation, article, or other resources assigned to the members during the preceding week, and to share with one another how it affected them, what comforted or challenged them, how the Spirit spoke to them, and how it applies to their lives today.
(8) Members present any announcements pertinent to the group and confirm the date and time for the next gathering.
(9) Prayer intentions are offered and the gathering closes on time with a concluding prayer, such as "The Lord's Prayer," or another prayer offered by one of the members.
(10) The members are sent forth in the love and peace of Christ and, guided by the Holy Spirit, to allow their hearts and minds to be transformed to become more Christlike, especially with those who they encounter during the week.
The examples provided for formats to use for one-hour or two-hour gatherings are meant to serve only as a guide. Always allow the Holy Spirit to guide each gathering. For example, sometimes you will need more time for the initial sharing and so, you should adjust the time for the other elements of the suggested format accordingly. However, try to conclude the gathering at the agreed upon time.
Who is the Facilitator for the Small Faith–Sharing Community?
One of the members volunteers to be the facilitator for the group for a certain period of time, such as for four weekly gatherings. Another member can then volunteer to act as a facilitator for the next period of time. Facilitator Guidelines and examples of formats for facilitating a group gathering of one-hour and two hours are provided on this website.
(2) The group begins with welcoming God’s presence with a symbol (for example, a lighted candle representing the light of Christ, a bowl of water to remind us of our Baptismal promises, and a Bible), and offering an opening prayer. In the beginning, it is suggested that one written prayer be chosen to open the session each week. Later on, members can volunteer to choose to offer an opening prayer that speaks to them. Not everyone feels comfortable in offering an extemporaneous prayer. Many different prayers can be found through a search on the internet. (See the Resource Page for some suggested sites that offer a variety of prayers).
(3) One option after the opening prayer, is for the members to sit in silence, in the presence of one another and open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, for a period of 5 minutes or longer. At the conclusion of this time period, the “Glory Be” can be prayed together.
(4) Another option for the group is to include a song, many of which can be found through a search of YouTube, or the group could listen to one of the many songs whose links are listed in the "Music" section of "Links to Resources," on the top, left side of this website).
(5) Members share where they experienced the presence of God, what they are grateful for, or their experience of some person, moment, or event that touched their hearts during the preceding week. This is not a time for mundane concerns, politics, gossip, or the judgment of others. Rather, this is a time to actively listen with love, respect, compassion and without judgment to one another as they share their thoughts, experiences, concerns, and challenges of life or their faith.
(6) Members read and reflect on next Sunday’s Gospel reading and share about any word, phrase, or insight that caught their attention, what comforted them or challenged them, how the Spirit spoke to them, or what will continue to resonate with them.
(7) Depending on the time allowed for the gatherings, the group may plan to view or listen to a video or audio presentation during the gathering, or discuss any video or audio presentation, article, or other resources assigned to the members during the preceding week, and to share with one another how it affected them, what comforted or challenged them, how the Spirit spoke to them, and how it applies to their lives today.
(8) Members present any announcements pertinent to the group and confirm the date and time for the next gathering.
(9) Prayer intentions are offered and the gathering closes on time with a concluding prayer, such as "The Lord's Prayer," or another prayer offered by one of the members.
(10) The members are sent forth in the love and peace of Christ and, guided by the Holy Spirit, to allow their hearts and minds to be transformed to become more Christlike, especially with those who they encounter during the week.