The Small Group Ministry program of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge is called Branches.

A Branches group provides a structure within which participants minister to each other. The subject matter of the group is the participants' lives. Intimacy and Ultimacy are the goals. Group members listen to each other, but do not attempt to solve each other's problems. These are not therapy or encounter groups. The groups are part of a religious community , the Church. Most groups usher about one month per year. Some groups choose to take on other service projects for the church or the larger community.

There are currently 24 Branches groups, with over 250 participants, including 44 Branches leaders. The program began in 1999.

Eligibility

 Anyone who is a graduate of the Unitarian Church Roots orientation class or is a member of the church may join a Branches group. To request to join a group, call the church office, 926-2291 or email Diana Dorroh (diana_dorroh@hotmail.com).

Basic Structure of a Branches Meeting

Branches groups have approximately 8 to 12 members and are led by lay people. Usually, there are two co-leaders. They meet monthly in private homes. Members may invite the group to meet in their home, or not. Meetings last two hours, including the refreshment period.

1. Opening Reading
2. Check in - Members share something of personal significance. It is OK to pass.
3. Discussion Topics include Love, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Mentors, Prayer, etc.
4. Refreshments
5. Likes and Wishes
6. Closing Reading

Expectations of a Branches Participant

1. To commit to a year of participation
2. To give attendance at Branches meetings a high priority
3. To commit to listening to other group members.
4. To help write a covenant for the group or to participate in a review of the groups existing covenant, if the new member is joining an ongoing group.
5. To give church attendance a high priority.

September 2011 Branches Outreach Note by Diana Dorroh:

Joyce and Max Gill and Anne Nowak recently attended the UU Small Group Ministry Institute at UU Camp deBenneville Pines in southern California. They join former Institute graduates in our congregation, Ray and Kristie Boudreaux, Bob Dorroh, and Bobby and MiJa Thompson.   

The Institute is a four-day event on how to succeed at small group ministry. Sending our Branches Leaders to the Institute is one way that we keep our Branches program healthy and flexible. Max, Joyce, and Anne also met leaders from other churches and swapped experiences,   problems and successes. Everyone teaches and everyone learns.  For the 4th year in a row, I was privileged to serve on the Institute faculty. I also edit a newsletter for the UU SGM Institute, Covenant Group News. Both of these are ways that our congregation is reaching out to share our successes in small group ministry with congregations all over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As usual, it is a two-way sharing. Through communication with other coordinators and program leaders, I’ve learned a great deal that helps our program to grow and improSeptember 2011 Branches Outreach Note by Diana Dorroh: