# Overview # Wellspring OS - Overview # Wellspring OS - Overview This is the operational system for running UU Wellspring spiritual deepening groups at Foothills Unitarian Church. **Staff Lead:** Rev. Sean Neil-Barron **National Organization:** [UU Wellspring](https://uuwellspring.org/) ## Mission The Wellspring Leadership Group is committed to engaging the Foothills congregation in a process and practice of spiritual deepening in accordance with our church mission. Wellspring responds to the Mission statement of growing our faith and awakening our spirits. ## How This Book Is Organized - **Annual Timeline** -- The full month-by-month operational cycle from January through December - **Roles** -- Descriptions of key roles: WSLT, Sources Facilitator, Facilitator Mentor, Ministerial Staff Lead - **Processes** -- Step-by-step guides for facilitator recruitment, participant recruitment, second-year offerings, and the opening retreat - **Email Templates** -- Ready-to-customize templates for every major communication - **Resources and Guides** -- Quick-start guide, Circles of Trust, book lists, spiritual directors - **Administration** -- Forms, links, PCO tasks, and the Shared Ministry Covenant ## Document Repository [Wellspring Leadership Team Shared Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0AJaxBHiw1bzrUk9PVA) ## Quick Navigation ### Roles - [Wellspring Leadership Team (WSLT)](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/wellspring-leadership-team-wslt) - [Sources Facilitator](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/sources-facilitator) - [Facilitator Mentor](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/facilitator-mentor) - [Ministerial Staff Lead](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/ministerial-staff-lead) ### Processes - [Facilitator Recruitment](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/facilitator-recruitment) - [Participant Recruitment](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/participant-recruitment) - [Second-Year Offerings](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/second-year-offerings) - [Opening Retreat](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/opening-retreat) ### Email Templates - [Recruiting Sources Participants](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/recruiting-sources-participants) - [Recruiting Second-Year Participants](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/recruiting-second-year-participants) - [Welcome Letter 1 - The Basics](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/welcome-letter-1-the-basics) - [Welcome Letter 2 - More Information](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/welcome-letter-2-more-information) - [Second-Year Group Assignments](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/second-year-group-assignments) ### Resources - [Quick-Start Guide for New Facilitators](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/quick-start-guide-for-new-facilitators) - [Circles of Trust](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/circles-of-trust) - [Required and Optional Books](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/required-and-optional-books) - [Spiritual Directors List](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/spiritual-directors-list) ### Administration - [Forms and Links](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/forms-and-links) - [PCO and Admin Tasks](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/pco-and-admin-tasks) - [Shared Ministry Covenant](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/shared-ministry-covenant) # Shared Ministry Covenant # Wellspring Shared Ministry Covenant Google Doc: [Original Worksheet](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JJiUmwrpSZLv0je6RU5B-eF0gJDzmRjGvD2Wone3oas/edit) ## Overview The Shared Ministry Covenant is submitted annually in May as part of Foothills' review process. It documents the ministry's purpose, leadership, strategy, resources, and integration with congregational life. ## Mission Statement This Wellspring Leadership Group is committed to engaging the Foothills congregation in a process and practice of spiritual deepening in accordance with our church mission. ## Connection to Foothills Mission Wellspring responds to the Mission statement of growing our faith and awakening our spirits. ## Impact Wellspring's impact is evident when Sources facilitators share testimonials of groups forming, norming, gelling, and then diving deeper into their own experiences and values as they complete Wellspring materials for each session. When WS participants volunteer to facilitate a course of WS Sources or sign up for a Wellspring second-level course, that indicates they have been positively impacted by the WS experience. ## Group Details - Type: Longer Term Group (meets longer than one group cycle, not ongoing) - Mission Orientation: Spiritual Deepening - Directory Category: Small Groups - Staff Lead: Rev. Sean Neil-Barron ## Timeline for Covenant Work - April: WSLT begins work on the covenant for the annual review process - May: WSLT submits covenant documentation for annual review - Draft submitted for consideration: May ## Financial Resources - UU Wellspring annual payment: $550 - Retreat supplies (printing) - Required reading books for Foothills library supply - Possible catering for annual gathering (potluck is also an option) ## Facilities Use - Weekend retreat facility usage (August) - Bi-monthly group meeting rooms (September through May) - Space for Annual Gathering and information sessions (patio, front yard, classroom) ## Lessons Learned (2023-24) - A Zoom-only Sources group had attrition, raising the question of whether Zoom Wellspring should be offered in the future. - Two newcomers to UU faith in one Sources group was viewed as an impediment to full participation. The requirement to have been active at Foothills needs to be faithfully adhered to. - When a participant objects to a piece of curriculum, a nuanced response is required that underlines how everyone's needs, ideas, and thoughts matter. ## 50-Word Description Wellspring is a robust and deeply spiritual program developed through the UUA providing numerous curriculums to offer UU congregants an opportunity to further the knowledge and practice of their UU faith, to explore their deeply held values, and to use this knowledge to deepen spiritually and enhance their UU faith experience.