Small Group Ministry offers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships while exploring life’s big questions in a supportive and caring community.
Beginning this fall, Albany UU will once again offer Soul Matters small groups. These groups bring together people who want to deepen their spiritual lives, reflect on shared themes, and connect more deeply with one another.
Each group includes approximately eight participants and meets once each month for two hours. Guided by a trained facilitator, members create a covenant that helps foster trust, respect, curiosity, and compassionate listening.
Rather than focusing on debate or discussion alone, Soul Matters groups invite participants to reflect on how the month’s theme connects with their own experiences, values, questions, and hopes.
What to Expect
When you join small groups at Albany UU, you can expect the following:
No special knowledge or preparation is required. Simply bring your curiosity, openness, and willingness to listen and learn alongside others.
We anticipate beginning with two groups in the fall of 2026. More registration details will be available soon!
Two Rivers Mindful Meditation
The Two Rivers mindful meditation group meets every Sunday for 45–50 minutes. Each gathering begins with a short dharma talk on a topic related to meditation and everyday life. Topics vary widely and have included difficult emotions, forgiveness, spiritual friendship, joy, illness, death, self-care, and dealing with life’s frustrations. Participants are welcome to suggest topics.
Following the talk, we practice about 20 minutes of lightly guided silent meditation. We then have an opportunity for questions and discussion about the dharma talk or other topics related to meditation, and we close with a short loving-kindness practice.
Everyone is welcome. There is no expectation that you attend every week, although many participants attend regularly. Over time, the group has developed a sense of closeness and connection through practicing together. Newcomers are always welcome.
