Cultivating Community: Summer
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
- Hebrews 10:25 -
The Word is clear, we need to keep meeting together and encourage one another. The days are short so let us be intentional about meeting together to specifically encourage each other. Need some inspiration? Need some spring-board ideas for how, where and when to meet together? Here you go!
Cutting Flowers:
Plant and grow a garden of flowers to cut and give away as gifts. Partner with a friend so you can experiment with more varieties and arrangements. I love peonies for this very reason. We have an abundance each year and cutting them and giving them to some of our neighbors has become a real joy each spring. Even add a little note of encouragement or appreciation to your bouquet. A kind word goes a long way.
Snail Mail Campaign:
Send notes to people who need some encouragement. Write it down in your own handwriting. Take the time to pray over and prepare the letter of encouragement. This could be something they hold on to for a long while.
Book Club:
My dad has been a part of a book club for quite some time. I always look forward to hearing from him about what he’s been reading. Hearing how he feels about the characters and themes always leads to much deeper topics. For example: how God is speaking through these books and characters to our hearts.
Walking Club:
This could be a large event or a small gathering. Even start a weekly one-on-one walk with a new friend in your neighborhood or a friend that it’s hard to get quality time with during this season of life.
Fire and Drinks:
My husband has been hosting a fire and drinks night with two of his friends recently. It warms my heart to see my man talking for hours with his chums. As an extrovert he genuinely needs this. And for me, an introvert, I really need him to leave me alone sometimes (haha!). It’s just a win-win situation!
Mentorship:
Begin that mentoring or discipleship relationship. Do you know someone older than you of good reputation that you admire? Ask them if they would want to meet just for the summer. I suggest just the summer first, to see if it’s a good fit relationally and second, to see if the time commitment is something you can swing this season of life. Take it slow and see where the Lord leads the relationship.
Bible Study:
Classic Christian activity. We need the word. Every day, all day. Now, I’ll be honest; I don’t love bible studies. Sometimes they are so dry and extremely academic for my taste. But the truth is, I never, ever regret doing it because studying the word with other believers is always worth our time.
Potluck Nights:
Invite one or two other families with kids to have dinner together at a park or back yard. Disperse food preparation responsibilities. Use disposable paperware. Keep it really simple so you can focus on just being together.
Supper Club:
I had the idea for a supper club at the beginning of 2020. I told myself if I’m serious about getting better at cooking, I just need to do it and I need to do it with others. So, my husband and I invited another couple-friend to start a super club with us! It’s been delightful. We take turns cooking a really nice meal for just the four of us with complementary drinks and desserts as well. Then we just talk until the cows come home.
Farmer’s Markets:
Our farmer’s markets just started up a few weeks ago. And what better way to get out into your community, support local farmers and eat really good food? It’s the perfect opportunity to invite a friend to come along for a slow morning enjoying the seasonal bounty.
Park Hop:
If you have kids and want to mix up your playdates, make it a goal with a few other families to visit all the parks in your town on a set day and time. You could even create a map and add gold stickers to all the places in town to keep track.
Minimalism//Collective Purge:
I love minimalism. It’s honestly the only way I can function at this point besides Jesus and my husband. If you are into minimizing your home too, invite a friend to do this with you! This could be something where you house hop OR you turn on that zoom call to have some accountability of what you purge in a weekend or in an hour.
Clothing Swap:
All who are invited bring unwanted clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry, etc., and the host or the participants set up the garments in a “boutique” or garage sale style. Once it’s all set up, everyone just takes what they like and whatever is left to be donated. It’s a win for your budget and for the environment. I’ve participated in several clothing swaps and it’s always a blast. Add some wine and cheese and you’ve got yourself a clothing swap party!
Garage Sale:
Want to get to know the people in your neighborhood? Have a garage sale! Want to purge your house of unwanted items? Have a garage sale! Want an excuse to be social all day? Have a garage sale! You could even go as far as to plan your own neighborhood garage sale. It could be as simple as asking everyone just on your street!
Social Media Fast:
Just give it up for a summer and see what God does in your relationship with him and with others. Do it with a friend so you have some accountability and continuing conversation about your personal use of social media. Let us be known as people who cultivate relationships the good old-fashioned way, in person.
Something I’m looking forward to this summer is attending my husband’s softball games. It’s been a great way to get to know people from my church better. One of my favorite softball memories from three years ago was sitting in the stands with my friend, Trish. We both were very pregnant, tan and sweaty. That summer before our babies were born I will cherish dearly: we shared our hopes for motherhood, confessions of sin and fear, tears of joy and exchanged words of encouragement.
Many blessings to you as you show up to your gatherings and cultivate your community with encouragement.