Small Group Leader Formation Series

Tuesdays, September 26 - Nov 14* | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Carolyn Hall

* No meeting on October 31

Register here!

Two years ago, Saint Mark’s set as one of its strategic goals to expand small group ministry, as a primary way to provide formation for adults in our parish. Then the Holy Spirit gave the same message to our Archbishop, who has made small group ministry the first priority emerging from the Archdiocesan Synod in 2022. With the support and leadership of our shepherd, Saint Mark’s, along with every parish in the Archdiocese, will kick off this initiative with a seven-week Small Group Leader Formation series this fall, beginning Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Carolyn Hall.

Why should you come?

1) If you want to learn more about the power of small group ministry, which goes back to the very roots of the Church,

2) If you want to learn more about the direction in which Saint Mark’s and our Archdiocese is headed, and

3) If you think you might have the gifts and calling to lead a small group or help to make one grow.

For more information, contact Kristen Grant (kgrant@onestrongfamily.org).

Small Group Leader Formation FAQs

Q. I keep hearing about “small groups.” What is going on?

A. Two years ago, Saint Mark's set as one of its strategic goals to expand small group ministry, as a primary way to provide formation for adults in our parish. Then the Holy Spirit gave the same message to our Archbishop, who has made small group ministry the first priority emerging from the Archdiocesan Synod in 2022. With the support and leadership of our shepherd, Saint Mark's, along with every parish in the Archdiocese, will kick off this initiative with a seven-week Small Group Leader Formation series this fall,beginning Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Carolyn Hall.

Q. What will happen at this Small Group Leader Formation?

Each session will last less than two hours, and will include times of prayer, teaching, and small group sharing. We won’t just be “learning about small groups;” we will be experiencing what a typical small group meeting might look like.

Q. I don’t know if I want to lead a small group. Why should I come?

Participation in the series does not commit you to lead a small group. Upon the formation’s conclusion, there will be a mutual discernment, that will include the pastor, on whether each participant will lead a small group starting in Lent 2024 and what type of small group he or she might feel comfortable leading. Furthermore, the formation will help discern other supporting leadership roles within the small group, such as hospitality or prayer ministry, as possible alternatives to being “the leader.”

Or you can just come to learn more about this ministry within our parish and our archdiocese!

Q. But I’m already in a small group. Do we have to change everything now?

No. You don’t have to change anything, in fact. But we are inviting all small groups leaders and members to consider making this series your small group meeting this fall (and many have already decided to do so). The training itself will contain many aspects of a small group meeting: prayer, content and small group discussion. And your whole group will benefit by attending, both from any new ideas that are gained and by understanding more fully the direction our Archbishop is leading us with regards to small group ministry.

Q. When is this happening?

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 in Carolyn Hall September 26 - November 14 (no meeting on October 31)

Q. What if I can't make it every Tuesday?

Because this series is a formation toward leading small groups, and small group sharing is an important component of it, participants are expected to attend most, if not all sessions, in person. Recognizing that life happens, there will be an ability to “make up” missed sessions virtually, that is intended to be the exception, not the rule. So if you know that you will need to miss more than two sessions, we’d encourage you to wait for another offering of the training.

Q. Sounds awesome. Where do I sign up?

Here!

Register for the Series!