The Circle Hbg Gatherings
What to Expect
When & How Long
The Circle Hbg gathering begins at 5:30 PM on the first and third Sunday of the month lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Doors open at 5:00 PM. The doors are locked at 5:40 PM to ensure everyone’s safety.
Bring Your Own Mug
Tea and coffee are available. As part of our effort to care for the planet, we invite you to bring bring your own mug and take it back home with you. If you forget one, however, we will have a mug available for you.
Creating the Circle
Opening Ritual - The Circle Hbg begins each gathering by creating a center table. Participants are invited to bring an item that represents themselves to be placed on the center table. These items might represent how one is feeling, how one see’s themselves, or one’s current experiences. If someone forgets to bring something, there are various items available upon entering the gathering space.
The opening ritual not only gathers the community but celebrates those gathered in the fullness of who they are and as they know themselves to be in the moment, recognizing that our identities and understanding of ourselves shift over time and in relation to our experiences.
Song - a song is shared or sung
Gathering the Circle
Call to Community - After the opening ritual, candles are lit around the outside of the circle creating a container for those gathered and then one final candle is lit on the center table marking the presence of the Beloved.
Explanation of The Circle Way - The Host offers an explanation of the process of the Circle Way, including the agreements and principles. The Circle Way ensures all voices are heard and honored. What is shared is held within the center, with compassion, curiosity, and in confidentiality.
Way of the Guardian - The Guardian is tasked with tending to the energy, time, pace of the circle gathering. The Guardian, or anyone else in the circle, may call for a pause at any time. The Guardian invites the community to take a few deep breaths and then return to the circle. The pauses honor what is said, hold space for emotions, slow the pace of the conversation, and invite a noticing of the presence of the Great Mystery.
Blessing & Sending the Circle
Song - A song is shared or sung.
Check Out - Just as each person was invited to check-in, the community is now asked to reflect briefly on how they are leaving the space. Again, a person may pass and does not need to offer a reflection.
Prayer - The circle is closed with a prayer trusting that our intentions, vulnerability, pains, joys, and practice are held by the Beloved One.
Benediction - We are sent out with peace and a blessing upon all those gathered and upon the world. Individuals are then invited to collect their item from the center table.
A Note On Language
As the visioning team worked to envision and create The Circle Hbg, the use and importance of language was a constant conversation. We recognize there are words from religious traditions that have been used to harm and have, therefore, caused trauma within queer communities. Because The Circle Hbg is intended to address the needs of the whole person, including one’s spiritual life, we have sought to use a wide variety of words to depict that which is mystery - God, Universal Love, Great Mystery, the Beloved One, etc. All of these expressions, as well as no understanding of a divine connection, are welcome within The Circle Hbg.
The Circle Practice
Check In - Going around the circle, those who wish are invited to check-in or quickly respond to a question such as, “How are you arriving today?" This allows all those gathered to do so honestly and makes space for the variety of feelings, questions, distractions, doubts, and wonderings we bring into the space. One may pass if they do not want to respond to the check-in question.
Poem / Reading - A poem or other sacred reading is offered to center the gathering and articulate the theme.
Practice - There are two primary forms of the gathering - the practice circle and the wondering circle. In the practice circle, those gathered are invited to participate in a shared spiritual practice. These practices could include simple art activities, meditation, journaling, or even a moving meditation. The wondering circle invites those gathered to reflect on a question. An individual may pass if they do not want to share, however, all reflections are honored and held in confidentiality in the circle.
