Summer Small Groups 2026
Happy Summer, St. Martin's!
Summer is a time for our parish to take a collective breath, to slow down, and attend to the work of fellowship. Keeping fellowship, being friends, is part of the Christian life. One of the ways we increase fellowship is with our Summer Small Groups. We encourage you to join as many small groups as you are interested in, perhaps to learn a new skill or expand your knowledge and connect with or meet new friends outside of our typical Sunday morning schedule! Read the descriptions below to see what sort of groups you might want to join, and then contact the appropriate person listed for how to join in the fun!
2026 Summer Small Groups
Each summer, St. Martin’s meets in lots of ways large and small. Below are the 2026 summer small groups, you will find something for everyone and for all ages. Be sure to get to know some new people! Be in touch with the leader of each group to register your interest.
Finally, be on the lookout for a final gathering of all the groups in late August.
"Won’t you be my neighbor?"
Mother Justi will convene a small group discussing St. Martin's engagement with the poor in our neighborhood through written and visual material, visits to neighborhood organizations, and continual prayer. Meetings will be on Sundays after the service on June 21, July 12, July 26, August 9, and August 23. Extra field trips may be scheduled on week days during daytime hours. Contact Mtr. Justi at justi@stmclt.org
Elementary Family Meetup
Rachel Halsey is pulling together Elementary Family Meetups, to meet informally during the summer, to be added to the group email rachel.m.halsey@gmail.com.
Hot off the Press
Let’s read Pope Leo’s encyclical on human dignity in the age of A.I., Magnifica Humanitas, dates June 22, July 22, and August 13 from 7-8:30 at Fr. Josh’s house. We will be discussing the entire document in stages:
June 22: intro and chapters 1 + 2.
July 22, Chapters 3 and 4.
August 13, chapter 5 and the conclusion
Contact Father Josh, josh@stmclt.org for more info and meeting location information.
Pray the Lectionary
There’s a group meeting every other Tuesday morning to pray with the the lectionary readings for the day, be in touch with Patricia Dinas to be added to the group: patriciadinas@gmail.com
Stephen’s Ministry Discernment
There is a group that is discerning if we should as a parish use the Stephen’s Ministry model for parish-wide pastoral care. If you are interested, be in touch with Dee Pritchard, dee@deepritchard.net.
Daughters of the King?
There’s another group that is discerning interest in starting a chapter of the Daughters of the King, interested in learning more? Contact Kathleen Purvis, kathleen.purvis@att.net
Jam/Sing Along
Join "the Middle Wayfarers" for a beginner-intermediate friendly jam session & sing-along, for stringed, acoustic or percussion instruments (Guitar, Mandolin, Ukes, Dulcimer, Bass, Banjo, Cajone, spoons, etc). We’ll start with simple tunes - two & three-chord songs in major keys - and go wherever the Spirit & our musical talents lead. Singers are welcomed, as are folks who may just wanna come for listening, beverage sipping’, and toe-tapping. We’ll meet & play/sing in the church fellowship hall or a friendly porch/patio." contact Rob Kirby for dates, rkirby85@gmail.com
Learn more about the Diocese’s Global Missions
Heather Carty-Ward is hosting talk and prayer on the NC Diocesan Global Mission ministry and to begin the discernment process to determine if STM should partner with one of the Diocesan companion congregations in Costa Rica, Botswana or Kenya. We will learn, talk, pray and probably eat. Contact Heather Carty-Ward to participate at hcartyward@yahoo.com
Our Daily Bread (& Soup!)
Terry Ertel is hosting a group to prepare soup and/or bread to support the “Our Daily Bread and Soup” program at the Galilee Center. “Our Daily Bread and Soup” provides a quart of homemade soup and a small loaf of homemade bread to anyone who comes into Galilee and needs a meal. Contact Terry for details at ertels@bellsouth.net The Daily Bread and Soup small group will be meeting at Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte (3601 Central Ave), 9:00-12:30 on June 24, July 16 and July 29. All are welcome!!
Common Threads
Do you enjoy knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, slow stitching, cross-stitch, lacemaking, weaving, felting, quilting, and/or any other fiber art? Bring your project and be with other fiber artists for a relaxed, calm, and restorative gathering! We will be meeting on the following dates in the Parlor (room next to door #3):
Monday, June 29, 2-4
Monday, July 13, 2-4
Monday, Aug. 17, 2-4
Please get in touch with Lillian Richards, lillian@stmclt.org, if you have any questions!
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
Tom Ponsonby is organizing three trips to see the Charlotte Knights. Tentatively the games are Thursday, June 25, Thursday, July 9 and Thursday, August 27; be in touch with Tom: tom.ponsonby@outlook.com to join the fun!
Young Families Gatherings
Kelly Laraway is organizing the Atrium 1 and 2 aged families (preschool/early elementary) to gather for some simple activities (picnic and playtime at the park, pizza night, etc.) for entire families to get to know one another, be in touch with her at kchamilt@gmail.com if you would like to join the fun!
Potluck Dinner Game Night
Gather your lucky dice, your best poker face, and maybe a Monopoly “Get Out of Jail Free” card — it’s time for Potluck Dinner Game Night! Whether you’re ready to "Go Fish" for victory, say “Sorry!” after stealing a space, conquer the world in Risk, roll for initiative in Dungeons & Dragons, or enjoy a classic hand of Bridge, there’s a seat at the table for everyone. Expect laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of opportunities for fellowship along the way. Potluck Dinner Game Night will be held in the fellowship hall on Saturdays June 27, July 25, and August 22. A potluck dinner begins at 6:30 PM with the main dish provided — just bring a side dish or dessert to share. Games begin at 7:00 PM sharp, so don’t pass “Go” without joining the fun! Come for the food, stay for the fellowship, and prepare to play your cards right! Contact Scott Johnson if you’d like to help or lead a game: scottcarterjohnson@yahoo.com
Cruising Lake Wylie
Join Mike and Nydia McCrohan this summer for a relaxing boat cruise on beautiful Lake Wylie with up to 8 of your fellow St. Martinites. This year we are offering two different boating opportunities:
1. Thursday evening Sunset Cruises - 7-9pm on June 11, June 25, July 16, July 30, and/or August 20. This (weather permitting) is a quiet time on the water with great fellowship and beautiful sunsets over Lake Wylie.
2. Sunday afternoon swimming (in the pool or lake) and a sightseeing cruise on Lake Wylie. Select Sundays in June and July (reach out for more details). This (weather permitting) is ideal for young families with kids or anyone for whom Thursday evenings are just too chaotic!
Space is limited on the boat (10 passengers max) so reach out to Mike McCrohan (mccrohanmb@gmail.com or 708-212-0486) to reserve your spots. Note that more details will be provided before each cruise and we have plenty of life preservers for the little ones.
Catechesis Coffee Chat
Come learn more (or deepen your knowledge of) our formation program Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). This will be a time for interested adults to come visit the atria and to chat about the philosophy, theology and method of CGS. Whether CGS is brand new to you, you’re a parent of a child in CGS, or you are a seasoned catechist, come to chat, get a lesson or two, or dive into some of the methodology and theology of this unique Montessori-based formation program. Our first gathering will be July 6th at 10:30 a.m. and the 2nd will be July 22nd at 11am. Third session TBD. Contact Brittany Bowron at brittany@stmclt.org for more info.
Connect & Compline
Katie Welch would love to host individuals interested in doing compline together in her backyard with some coffee and dessert. Tentative dates are the evenings of 6/18, 7/16 and 8/6. Interested? Contact Katie at katieclt@proton.me for specifics and location information.
Women’s Dinners
The women of St. Martin’s will continue their monthly dinners on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (June 17th, July 15th, August 19th) in the Fellowship Hall at 6pm. Bring a dish to share and enjoy fellowship together.
