By Mike Morrisey

When was the last time you were in a group where you were clearly heard and could deeply listen? Back in 2022, the UUA Magazine published an article titled “Thick Stories” that explores this question. In the opening paragraph it states, “There are few places in people’s lives where they are invited to share deeply and listen without judgment.” What a refreshing concept! Our QUUF covenant group agenda includes the following guidance: “The essence of these covenant groups is the invitation to speak from the heart and the privilege of hearing another so speak.” In these times of massive change & challenge, having a space where you can be heard at a deep level and hear others deeply is a sanctuary many of us need.

Most of us can speak from a deep place. The UUA article notes the following: “When we speak from our hearts and talk about ourselves – saying what has happened to us, how we believe and think – we find not only that we have gained from hearing ourselves, but that our stories have been interesting to others in the group.” This kind of openness may feel risky at first, but it becomes easy once we decide the risk is worth it. Our QUUF covenant groups provide a place and time for this. While speaking at this level can become easy, listening at this level takes some practice. As the article notes, this requires “…no arguments, no problem questions, and no ‘helpful comments’…We need to listen and offer the speaker the gift of silence.” This takes both practice and acknowledging that questions and advice may not feel good to the speaker. “And even the most well-meant and gently spoken questions can feel like criticism.”

If the above is interesting to you, please consider talking with a covenant group member after our next service. There will be a sample/drop-in covenant Group for the next 2 Sundays after the service and sign ups begin. If you want to read the whole UUA article, it can be found here: https://www.uuworld.org/articles/listen-heart.