E P I S C O P A L P A R I S H
St. Augustine’s Small Group Ministry
Communities of Practice
Communities of Practice provide smaller, more intimate contexts for sustaining St. Augustine’s mission to live seamless lives of prayer, worship, hospitality, and service. They do this by creating supportive small groups that share the practices of a regular Christian life. Each group meets weekly or every other week in the homes of leaders to pray together, to eat together, and to study and reflect together.
Communities of Practice are organized by region, with leaders and members living relatively near each other, by demographic, with the members sharing a similar stage of life, or by content, such as the Confirmation curriculum. In many ways, Communities of Practice provide a way for us to realize our vision to grow and expand our capacity to care, to welcome, and to connect with God, each other, and our neighbors. Take a look below to see if any Communities of Practice are calling to you!
01
Parents of Young Children
When a person becomes a parent or primary caregiver of a small child there is so much that you must have to hold for that person. Being a parent is HARD, but in community we can together be there to support each other as we hit our challenges and win. This group meets every week during the school year at the same time as Godly Play. This year we will be working through the Circle of Security curriculum; an attachment parenting approach. This program will also be enhanced with articles and books addressing faith and discipleship as a parent.
We also do Family events quarterly as well including: Pool Parties, Progressive dinner and Caroling, Date Night, and a Spring Family Camping Trip
Meets: Weekly on Sunday, 9:15am-10:15am
Contact: Adriana (Addy)
Email: diaz.addy[at]gmail.com
02
St. A's Thursday
This new (as of February 2025) Community of Practice meets at the church every other Thursday for prayer, a potluck dinner, and a book study. We're beginning with Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women by Caroline Walker Bynum.
​
Led by Alex Bates and Mother Jana, this group is intended for all ages and genders!
Meets: Every Other Thursday, 6:00pm-8pm
Contact: Alex & Mtr. Jana
Email: alexbates17[at]gmail.com
03
Tempe (La Jolla)
We are a community helping one another find practical ways to live lives of prayer, worship, hospitality, and service, as our church mission states. We meet three weeks of the month to share our lives around a pot-luck meal, prayer and worship (Vespers), scripture study (connected to the weekly liturgy), and planning acts of service to the community of St. A’s and the wider Tempe community. Join us!
Meets: The first three Wednesdays of each month, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Contact: Annie & Josh
Email: annacarson012[at]gmail.com
04
Ahwatukee/Mesa
We are an intergenerational community who gathers every other Thursday for a delicious dinner, Evening Prayer, and Bible study, and rotates between South Tempe and Ahwatukee. We enjoy exploring and deepening our faith together, and would love to welcome you to journey with us!
Meets: Every Other Wednesday, 6:00pm-8:00pm
​
Contact: Chris, Alissa, & Leslie
Email: lesliepaik[at]gmail.com
05
Women's Creative Circle
We are an intergenerational group of women that meets every other week to eat, pray, and reflect on how God is moving in our lives. The form of evening prayer varies, but always includes a psalm, a Gospel reading (we are currently following Dr. Wilda Gafney's Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church - Year W), and singing (mostly from Taize). We reflect cratively on the scripture with different artistic activities, including painting, collaging, writing, and more!
00
Confirmation Group
For those Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, this group works alongside the other communities of practice. Participants read Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices while participating in one of the communities of practice and meet quarterly to discuss the book with Fr. Chad and Mtr. Jana.
Meets quarterly on Sunday evenings
​
Contact: Fr. Chad & Mtr. Jana
Email: chad@staugustinetempe.org