Classes will begin Monday, September 15th, 6:00-7:30p Central Time and meet through November 3rd.
You MUST complete the application on this page in order to receive a registration link for the program. Registration links will be available August 18, 2025.
The Unity Small Groups Program Leader Training has limited space so that it mirrors the Small Group experience. If more than 10 students register, we will also offer a second class.
The specific dates for each month will be listed in the syllabus, which can be accessed on the UWSI Canvas Course once you have registered and paid your tuition.
The course costs $750.
To register for the Unity Small Group Program Leader Certificate Program you must first be enrolled in UWSI.
- There is a $35.00 one time fee. Enroll in UWSI.
- If you are not sure if you are enrolled, contact Juli Boyd.
UNITY SMALL GROUP ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT:
Friday, August 15th- Saturday, August 16th | Location: Online
On behalf of Glenda Walden and UWM's Small Group Advisory Committee, we encourage you to watch the 2-minute YouTube video below and register for the 2025 Small Group Online Summit "Together We Can". The Summit will be Friday, August 15th in the evening and all day Saturday, August 16th. We are planning an evening of connection, followed by a day packed with interactive sessions that include: a service project, content-packed TED style brief presentations, tech breakout sessions, a guest speaker, panels of Small Group hosts representing varying years of experience with Small Groups, an engagement mastermind workshop, celebration, and a rousing closing dance. The time will fly by.
Watch the invitation video:
Please share this invitation with all of your Small Group hosts, so that they can get inspired by their fellow hosts from across the country. This event will take place online, but in locations where more than one person is attending from the same church, we suggest attending while watching from the same room. There will be content everyone will watch together, and also breakout rooms that individuals will participate in using their own device (their own laptop, ipad or phone). Each participant should bring their own Zoom-ready device (laptop, ipad, phone) so that each person can join breakout sessions individually.
Click Here to REGISTER TODAY!
You'll be glad you were part of this historic event!
Unity Small Groups Leadership Training Program
"Initially, it seemed a bit ridiculous to me to think that by starting a small community, we could somehow change the world, but now, it seems more ridiculous to me to think that somehow the world will change if we don't do something."
~ Episcopal Priest Becca Stevens
What are Unity Small Groups?
Unity Small Groups aren’t the next best thing. It is one of THE things that, when administered effectively, will enrich, and enhance the ministry experience for your current members and will offer growth opportunities for your future members within the ministry.
UWM is taking Charles’ teachings and experiences into the present and future of mission-centric ministries. Following 50 years of research and practice, Unity Small Groups curriculum takes small group ministry to the next several levels. The Unity Small Groups Team supports the Unity Small Groups Program Leader-in-training through their planning and launch phase, guiding them step-by step, answering every question, helping through every challenge. After they successfully complete and launch their Unity Small Groups in their ministries, work or volunteer environments, or wherever they are led to lead, we assist them in their practice with follow-up trainings weekly and monthly, as well as offering advanced trainings, refreshers, and collaboration time with other Unity Small Groups Program Leaders. Unity Small Groups Certified Program Leaders can serve as the Membership Directors of their ministries, among other things.
The Unity Small Groups Leader Certification Program is designed to facilitate the expansion of the concept of small group ministry and provide ministries, Unity and non-Unity alike, with the information, documents, training, support, advice, and planning to launch, lead, and nurture small groups.
Anyone who is interested in creating safe spaces that foster spiritual growth for individuals in group settings, while naturally growing their ministries and organizations can take this training course. You don’t need to be associated with a ministry; you only need the desire to learn how to lead. The program has no credentialing status in Unity churches or Unity Worldwide Ministries.
Small Groups is a cohort-based learning community. Each class will build upon the previous one experientially. Classes for Unity Small Groups are not available individually.
Tuition is $750.00;
PLEASE NOTE: if you have not already enrolled in UWSI, you will need to that before applying for this program.
About small groups, Episcopal Priest Becca Stevens wrote:
“Initially, it seemed a bit ridiculous to me to think that by starting a small community, we could somehow change the world, but now, it seems more ridiculous to me to think that somehow the world will change if we don’t do something.
Now, I can see that one loving gesture is practically divine. We have to do small things and believe a big difference is coming. It’s like the miraculous drops of water that seep through mountain limestone. They gather themselves into springs that flow into creeks that merge into rivers that find their way to oceans. Our work is to envision the drops as oceans. We do our small parts and know a powerful ocean of love and compassion is downstream. Each small gesture can lead to liberation. The bravest thing we can do in this world is not cling to old ideas or fear of judgment, but step out and just do something for love’s sake. . .
There is no secret formula to experiencing the sacred in our lives. It just takes practice and practicality. The deep truth of our lives and the fullness we are striving for don’t happen with someone giving us the code to deep knowledge. Meaning and faith are not secret things. Sometimes what we need most is to remind one another of how the divine is all around us, calling us to see and taste it for ourselves.”
It is true! Small things do make a big difference. Since, the ministries where Unity SpiritGroups are being led with structure and creativity are experiencing spiritual and physical growth.