Summer Interest Groups
Looking for a way to get connected and have some fun this summer? Check out our Summer Interest Groups! These groups provide opportunities to learn a new skill (or polish up an old skill!), meet new people, engage in conversation, make meaningful connections, and hopefully have some fun!
Read the descriptions below and click the registration button to sign up!
GAME NIGHT
Leaders: Gay Gillespie & Cathy Hart
Where: LEFC Room A1/A2
When: 6pm on June 8 and 19, July 6 and 17, August 14 and 31
Come out and join us for some serious board game fun! We'll play some old favorites and learn some new ones too. There will be games for all levels of play. This group is open to older teens and adults.
rec soccer
Leader: Ali Swann
Where: LEFC's soccer field
When: Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30pm
Who: Anyone age 16+
Join us for weekly recreational soccer games and skill-building activities. We'll alternate between games and drills to get active while getting to know others! This Summer Interest Group will be ideal for individuals who played in a previous season of life. Cleats and shin guards are recommended, not not required.
LADIES' REFIT
Leader: Grace Messersmith
Where: LEFC's Crossover Room
When: Wednesdays at 6:30pm, June 7 - August 23 (no class on June 28)
REFIT is a fitness format that makes working out a FUN experience! This workout is for ladies of all ages, body types and fitness levels - anyone can do it. You do not need to commit to the whole summer, you can come once or as many times as you'd like. Bring someone from your oikos and let's enjoy being active together this summer.
distance runners
Leaders: Abigail Gehman, Jeff Groff, and Andy Schell
When: Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings
Where: Various local trails
Come out and join us for long distance runs this summer! We will be meeting at local trails on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings for 4-8 mile runs. Come whenever you are able! All older teens and adults are welcome to join. Feel free to bring a partner and let’s enjoy running together this summer!
PICKLEBALL
Leader: Denny Johnson
When: Various weeknights at 6:30PM (possibly some Saturdays if enough interest)
Come join our summer interest group and learn how to play pickleball! No experience necessary! Anyone high school age through great-grandparents is invited to join us! We will meet on various week nights at 6:30pm (day and time are flexible, depending on the needs of the group!) at local tennis courts (Manheim or Lititz) to play this very social, non-strenuous, totally fun game. You will not need any equipment to start out! We will have paddles and balls available for anyone who wants to try it. You will be paired with similar skill levels to keep it fun! Last year we had over 50 sign up to play and everyone was playing well by the second week. Come and enjoy this fun game and meet some new friends!
LEFC GOLF
Leaders: Alan Beck
When and Where: Dates and locations to be determined
Welcome to our golf interest groups. Our season runs from June to October, and we play 1 Sunday a month. There is no commitment. You can play every month or pick and choose.
LEFC DISC GOLF
Leaders: Dan Lindenmuth
Where: Alternating between a few different courses in Lancaster County
When: Every week on Monday evenings starting at 6pm
Can you throw a frisbee or want to learn a new low-impact sport? If so, you are the perfect candidate for Disc Golf. We are looking for individuals, couples, and families at all skill levels to come play. There is no cost to play at any of the courses. We will provide plenty of discs if you don’t have any. This is a friendly, non-competitive time and we're planned ways to mix it up to make it fun for all skill levels! If you have any questions, please ask. At the end of the season, we'll plan a cookout! It’s a fun way to officially end our time together.
Courses we plan to visit:
- Roland Park in Akron
- Herr Park (west of Lancaster, north of Millersville)
- Buchmiller Park (just south of Lancaster City)
- And possibly mini disc golf at a mini disc golf course!
backyard volleyball
Leaders: Ben and Jen Spead
Where: The Spead's backyard
When: Weekly throughout the summer
Come out for some fun with backyard volleyball! We plan to have several courts set up so that we can accommodate all skill and passion levels (a competitive court, a laid back court, and kids court if there is enough interest). We will try to meet weekly throughout the summer. Day of the week to be determined.
MEN'S BOOK STUDY
Leader: Ross Unruh
When and Where: Dates and location to be determined
This is an opportunity for men of all ages to gather together and grow in the knowledge of God and Scripture in community with one another. This summer, we will explore how the Trinity changes everything as we read through The Deep Things of God by Fred Sanders. The group will meet weekly through June, July, and into August. Hope you can join us!
Theology Nights
Leader: Sam Shoemaker
When: 3rd Wednesday of June, July, and August
Join us at Theology Nights, a gathering designed to deepen your Christian faith through meaningful discussions. Using an engaging discussion format, we create an interactive environment where you can explore theology, gain different perspectives, and connect with like-minded individuals. Our events will take place on the third Wednesdays of June, July, and August. Stay tuned for updates on the venue as we strive to find a welcoming space for contemplation and fruitful dialogue. Get ready for an enriching exploration of theology and faith, where your contributions and perspectives matter, and where you grow in your Christian life alongside fellow believers.
risen motherhood book club
Leaders: Jen Minder and Megan Shoemaker
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of June, July, and August
Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the daily demands of raising young children? Would you like to connect and find encouragement from other moms in the same stage of life? Let's gather together to remind ourselves of the hope of the gospel as we read Risen Motherhood over the course of the summer. We plan to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of June, July, and August from 6:30-8:30 in Lititz. Evenings will include discussion of the chapters, prayer time, and some guest speakers. Participants will need to purchase the book. Reading schedule will be sent out via email a few weeks before our first meeting. Let's spur one another on as we seek to raise our children in the hope of the gospel!
women's Sermon on the mount bible study
Leader: Lindsay Ros
When: Mondays at 7PM
Have you ever taken a deep dive into the longest recorded sermon of the greatest preacher to ever live? In Matthew 5, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and it continues to be a well of wisdom for Christ followers who seek to live as His disciples in His kingdom! Join us for a 9 week study going through Jen Wilkin's Sermon on the Mount study series. Participants will use a study book that will help guide you in studying the scriptures on your own before gathering together with other women to watch a teaching from Jen Wilkin followed by an in depth discussion. Coffee and refreshments will (of course) be in attendance as well.
food smoking
Leader: Andy Weaver
When: June 17, July 22, and August 19
Do you have a smoking habit? Then join this food smoking summer interest group to share delicious food, recipes, and techniques! We will gather one Saturday evening per month over the summer in a Lititz home and take turns bringing a smoked appetizer, side dish, and meat to share with the group. Sign ups are limited to 12 people (spouses invited to come).
BACKYARD GATHERING 3.0
Leaders: Bruce and Jalisa Gingrich & Mike and Pat Landis
When: at 6PM on June 9, July 8, August 11, and September 9
Where: 1221 E. Newport Road, Lititz
Who: Open to adults who attend LEFC and are looking to get to know other LEFCers!
We would love to open our backyard to provide an environment for you to get to know some people in our LEFC church family and hopefully create some lasting relationships and memories! Grab your lawn chair, a snack to share, and a lawn game (if you have one!) and join us for a relaxing evening outdoors!
adoption support group
Leaders: Mandy Bell and Lori Hamilton
Where and When: To Be Determined
If you’re an adoptive or foster parent of any kind or a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or other kin raising a child that’s not your own, whether you have kids in the house or they’ve moved on, please consider joining us! Parenting is hard, but raising a child who’s not your own and may come from hard places adds another layer of intricacies and challenges, beauties and opportunities. Please join us as we share experiences, victories, and struggles and build a community of support! We’ll meet twice a month and hope you can join us at least once in each of June, July, and August. (Friday mornings and an evening TBD that best suits most schedules.)
Crochet and Needlework
Leaders: Rebecca White and Susan Owsiany
Where: LEFC in Room A7 (G56)
When: Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM, June 5 - August 14 (no class on July 3)
Join others as we crochet, knit, cross stitch, quilt, embroider, hook, or whatever type of handwork you prefer! Susan and Rebecca will be teaching crochet if you desire to learn a new skill (you do not need to bring any supplies to start). Please come any time and stay as long as you can. It will be a very informal group. Handwork has been proven to sharpen your brain so if you are looking to acquire a new skill, need inspiration, or just want to make some new friends, we hope you'll come out on Mondays this summer!
CONVERTIBLE CRUISIN'
Leader: Steve Spangler
When: One Saturday per month
Anyone with a convertible is invited to join us for an exploration of some of the byways and back lanes of Lancaster County and surrounding areas. If you own a convertible, come for one or come for all of the trips this summer. We will find the road less travelled.
Please note: This summer interest group is not an official function of the church. Any liability must be assumed by the operator of the vehicle, and proper insurance must be carried by each participant.
sign Language
Leader: Natalie Bates
When: To be determined
This class is a way to encourage others to learn sign language from everyday words to be able to engage with the deaf. There will also be time spent on learning to sign Christian songs and religious sings to share the gospel to reach the deaf community. There will be afternoon or evening classes depending on availability of those interested.