St. Stephen’s Moms’ Group

St. Stephen’s Moms’ Group

Nurturing Connection, Purpose & Grace in Every Season

Welcome, Mom – We’re Glad You’re Here.

St. Stephen’s Moms’ Group is a community for mothers with kids from birth to rising 8 th graders. Whether you are brand new to parenting or deep in the daily chaos, this group is a place to catch your breath, connect with other moms, and grow in faith and friendship.

We gather to share stories, reflect together, create, pray, and support one another through the rhythms of motherhood and life. There’s no registration, no fee, and no pressure to be perfect or to make it every time—we show up as we are.

Here, you’ll find:

  • A circle of moms walking similar paths
  • Space for prayer, reflection, and honest conversation
  • Encouragement to grow in faith and friendship
  • Support without pressure (come as you are, when you can)

Rooted in the life of St. Stephen’s, this group is especially for moms who are exploring or have already chosen our church as a spiritual home for their family. We value authentic connection and the relationships that grow when we show up for one another.

2026-27 Meeting Dates

We meet on Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 PM (roughly every other week) in the St. Stephen’s Chapel.

  • Fall 2026:  Sept 16 & 30 · Oct 7 & 21 · Nov 4 & 18 · Dec 2 & 16
  • Winter/Spring 2027:  Jan 6 & 20 · Feb 3 & 17 · Mar 3 & 17 · Apr 7 & 21

What We Talk About

Our meeting topics are grounded in four core themes:

  • Community-Building
  • Faith Exploration
  • Personal Reflection
  • Parenting Support

This year, topics will range from “Tending the Family Garden (Literally and Figuratively)” to “Creating Family
Rituals that Nourish Connection” to “Mary as a Model for Modern Motherhood.”

We talk about the joys and struggles of parenting, faith, identity, and friendship—all through a lens of encouragement, curiosity, and grace.

Bonus: Bring Your Family to Wednesday Dinner!

If it works for your schedule, we invite you to come early on Wednesdays for St. Stephen’s Community Dinner. It’s a relaxed way to share a kid and adult frientdly meal with other parishioners before everyone heads off to various evening church programming for all ages.

  • Time: 5:30-6:15PM  in the Gathering Space
  • Cost: $5 per person, or $20 for a family; pay at the door. No need to sign up!

Beyond Wednesdays

Throughout the year, we also join in parish life by:

  • Hosting Coffee Hour at the Blessing of the Backpacks
  • Hosting a Pre-Bash After Dark Cocktail Party
  • Gathering for Summer Meet-Ups (First Wednesdays in June, July & August)

Meet Your Leaders

Contact Michelle and Allie via email at momsgroup@ststephens.com.

Michelle Barnett
Michelle Barnett has been a member of St. Stephen’s since 2020. She and her husband, Jimmy Barnett, were received by the church in 2022, and their son, Noah (4), was baptized in Minnehaha Creek in 2022. Their daughter Ruth (born March 2026) was baptized in the creek in August of 2026.

 

Allie Smulka
Allie Smulka has been attending St. Stephen’s since birth. After a brief break in attendance during college and the early part of her career, she returned and was married in the church in 2018 to her husband Andrew. A few years later, in the Minnehaha Creek behind St. Stephen’s, Whitney (now 5) was baptized in 2022, and Riley (soon to be 2) was baptized in 2024.

You Belong Here

Whether you’re looking for a deeper connection to your faith, some spiritual grounding in a busy season, or simply a
space to laugh and share with other moms – you belong here.

We’d love for you to join us.