Cultivating Community: Summer 2025 Edition
Here we are summer 2025! And here’s a new edition of ‘Ideas for Cultivating Community.’ If you’re new here, every other season I like to post just a hodgepodge of different small-to-medium sized gathering ideas for the friends who need a little inspiration for getting people together. These ideas come from personal experience (things I’ve hosted in the past) and/or other gatherings that my friends have hosted and I think were delightful. I think the important thing to mention here is to host the thing that will give you (and your family) life and will give life to others. Ask the Lord, what should we facilitate or invite people into this season? OR do you find yourself in a really busy season of life where, perhaps, the better question is, “What do you need to say ‘no’ to?” While you ponder that, here are some ideas to kick start your summer hangs….
Cocktail Hour: Are you in a season where you are not interested in hosting people for meals? Perhaps “Cocktail Hour” is just the thing for you! I think this can look a lot of different ways, which is great, especially if you are in the early family season. Regardless, the hang time can start mid- to late-afternoon, perhaps 3:00PM - 5:00PM. Example 1: BYOB at your place in the back yard while kids play around and get those dirty little summer feet run down before sunset. Example 2: Serve your “Signature Summer Cocktail!” Make it easy for yourself and make a big batch in a pitcher or glass water dispenser and let people help themselves. Example 3: Beer (and or wine) Tasting night! All your guests bring a drink to share and hopefully discover something new and delightful.
Pool Picnic: The last few summers we have invited friends with us to have picnic lunches and or picnic dinners at the pool. It doesn't get more casual and fun than this, friends. Don’t have a pool pass? No worries, friend! Splash pads are just as fun (and sometimes less stressful if your kids don’t swim yet).
Walking Club: I love a good book club, and I love a good country club…just kidding, I’ve never been a member of a country club. BUT sometimes you just want to show up without having something read or prepared in advance. Sometimes, you just want to show up. Think about starting a walking club! It’s pretty straightforward. You’re just there to walk and talk. Maybe this is a walking club for your neighborhood. Perhaps this is a walking club that you facilitate for the moms who drop their kids off at Youth Group on Wednesday nights. OR maybe this is a walking club to help bridge the generational gap for the women in your church.
Playdate + Babysitter: I’ll be honest friends, when my girl was in the baby/toddler era I didn’t love playdates, but it’s really just a part of what you sign up for when you enter motherhood. My hot tip for special playdates is this: hire a babysitter OR get a mother’s helper to watch your kids so that you and your friend can actually have an uninterrupted conversation. Even if that’s just for an hour! Try it friends. It’s great. I’d even go as far as to say, if it’s within your means, budget for this in the early years of motherhood OR at least till you have big kids who can watch over the littles. Motherhood can be a lonely road and texting and calling are not enough when you are in the weeds and deserts of motherhood. We need face to face, hand-in-hand life together, so make space for that when you are able.
Morning Coffee Date: It’s just one of the best ways to wake up - coffee & good conversation. Maybe this summer is the one where you invite a friend or a mentor over for coffee at your place. Or even consider inviting a group of college gals out for coffee at your favorite coffee shop on a regular basis this summer. I find that my best hours are the early hours. I am a textbook morning person and I have loved the seasons when I have gotten up early to have coffee with people first thing. Some of the most life-giving moments that I can remember.
Lastly, I’d just remind us that it’s less about the thing and more about the invitation. It’s way, way less about the event and more about the connection on a heart level. If hosting is new to you, or you didn’t come from a hosting kind of family and all that I’ve said above sounds intimidating - forget it! Don’t sweat it! Maybe just a simple invitation to come and do nothing is the thing you need to do! Invite people into who you really are. Invite a single gal over while you fold your laundry. Invite an older women to go on a walk with you after dinner. Invite a friend over while baby takes their morning nap. I just want to encourage you to invite people in and see what the Lord does. He is so good to us. He has given us each other.
Many blessings on your summer,
Sarah