Life Groups
Encouraging, supporting, and empowering each other through shared stages in life
Whether we call them Grow Groups, Circles, Encouragement Groups, Community Groups, Home Groups, or Life Groups, we know it’s important to have a sense of community and connection through the ups and downs of life. Rather than focusing on a particular study book or curriculum, these St. Mark’s Life Groups encourage one another and grow in their faith as they do life together.
What is a Life Group?
Life Groups are groups of 3-15 people with shared life circumstances who meet on a regular basis to build each other up, push each other forward, and send each other out into the world with Christ’s love. Some meet only for weeks—in homes or at church—and some have navigated life’s challenges together for years. Our current Life Groups are for parents, caregivers, career- and family-focused men, empty nesters, widows, widowers, and spiritual walk alumni.
NEW Groups beginning FALL 2025: Sunday PM Life Group for Parents (limited childcare spots remaining for school-age children), Sunday 10AM Parents Life Group, and an encouragement group for widowers. Interested in any group? Fill out the relevant signup(s) or the general Group Interest Form below.
Our Life Group members find:
- Encouragement and support
- Community and friendship
- New shared experiences as they welcome, grow, and serve together at St. Mark’s
- Authentic community – doing life together – through ups and downs
- Spiritual rest and reset
- An opportunity to refocus, away from the daily grind
Personal devotion and study time alone are important to Grow in Christ, but there is nothing quite like the growth that happens in groups. Jesus modeled that for us when gathering his own small group of disciples to learn and follow Him. We also follow Jesus’s example when our groups encourage each other, learn together, build relationships, and send each other out to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. If you feel like you’re tired of trying to go it alone, consider joining a group today.
Life Groups for Parents
- What: A new Life Group for parents meeting once per month.
- When/Where: The 3rd Sunday of each month, September 2025 to April 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at St. Mark’s UMC. (Our current Sun PM parents group brings dinner to eat together before the kids head to childcare for the adult discussion time.)
- Childcare: Kids will be in St. Mark’s childcare with the kids of our existing Sunday PM Parents Grow Group, and the two groups would have opportunities for shared meals and fellowship throughout the year. We’re looking to have about 5-7 families in this new group depending on childcare needs.
- What: A new Life Group for parents meeting during the 10:00 AM Education & Small Groups hour.
- When/Where: At least 1-2 times a month, 10:00-10:50AM on Sundays, depending on interest and availability, meeting at St. Mark’s. (This might be a great option for those of you who are already teaching 1-2 Sundays in Kidz Church to have a chance to connect with adults on other weeks!)
- Childcare: Younger children would spend time with friends in their age-specific Kidz Church classes and Nursery, while youth would be in the Sunday AM Youth Group.
Encouragement Groups
While all of our Life Groups encourage one another, these Encouragement Groups are specifically focused on encouraging and supporting for those dealing with care of aging loved ones, for widows, and for widowers.
NEW: Encouragement Group for Widowers,
group name and dates TBD
A new Life Group for men who have lost their spouses, whether recently or long ago. Sharing in activities, outings, meals, and projects together provides some friendship and the space to recognize the challenges and changes of navigating life without your spouse. Chuck Quakenbush is leading the effort to form this encouragement group. Fill out this form to get connected, see Chuck Quakenbush, or contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner (317-846-4912, grow@stmarkscarmel.org).
LIFT: Living Intentionally Forward Together
a Widows Encouragement Group
Meeting once or twice per month, dates vary
Offsite for outings and social events
As a branch off from a previous year’s Grief Group, we have launched a new encouragement group for those who have been widowed. Whether widowed recently or a long time ago, this group is a chance to find a listening ear through shared experiences–remembering anniversaries, unexpected griefs and joys, and all the new practicalities that one experiences in widowhood. For the current details and upcoming gathering dates, see Mary Etta Yoho or contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner in the church office (317-846-4912, grow@stmarkscarmel.org.)
Caregiver Encouragement Groups
Weekday Evening Group – Meets one weekday evening per month; fill out the form to connect.
Sunday AM Encouragement Group – Led by Susan Jacques one Sunday monthly, 10:00AM, Conference Room
No matter the stage — you are directly caring for aging loved ones, they are at home and nearing transitions, they are in a facility, or your loved ones have recently passed — these groups encourage one another through the emotional and practical challenges of dealing with the care and grief of aging loved ones.
Group Interest Form – Request More Information
We can help find a small group that works for you.
If you are interested in joining or starting a Grow Group or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner.
Spiritual Walk Reunion Groups
Have you ever taken part in a Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis Flight, Great Banquet, Cursillo, Tres Dias, or similar intensive spiritual weekend? St. Mark’s has two active reunion groups and a community of Walk Alumni. Indicate your Walk experience in the form above or visit the Walk Alumni page.
Support Groups
AA groups
“Boiled Owl” meets Sunday Evenings at 8 PM
Room B/C | Enter Door 2
“If Dogs Could Talk” meets Thursdays at Noon
Room G/H | Enter Door 2
Click here to find out more about AA and find other meetings.
Al-Anon
“New Life AFG” meets Wednesdays at 11:30 AM
Room G/H | Enter Door 2
Click here to find out more about Al-Anon and find other meetings.