Georgia Disciples Women’s Fall Retreat 2025
Sharing Our Gifts
Georgia Disciples Women are heading to Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons, GA, for a 2025 Fall Retreat, September 26-28. We shared our stories at our February retreat at Ocmulgee State Park; now let’s share our gifts!
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the “varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” With that as our focus scripture, the weekend will include relaxation, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we return to the beautiful coastal setting of Epworth by the Sea to explore “Spiritual Gifts: What is Your Fragrance?” The retreat will feature some new opportunities, including Friday evening vespers, additional workshops, and crafting choices, as well as familiar favorites like Bible study, Sunday worship, our signature silent auction, a service project with Amity House, and ample time to explore Saint Simons, GA. This year, we are excited to also feature Georgia Disciples Women t-shirts for sale!
Check In & Check Out
Retreat check in begins at 4 pm on September 26 in Jones Auditorium, with dinner available beginning at 5 pm. Check out is Sunday, September 28, by 11 am. Worship begins at 10:30 am, with lunch available from 12-1.
Registration & Fees
There are two separate fees for hotel/meals and registration, with an option to order your Georgia Disciples Women t-shirt as part of your registration. Retreat registration is $80, and covers events supplies including retreat booklets, welcome bags, workshop supplies, and gift cards for our workshop leaders. A t-shirt may be added to your registration for $23. Register no later than September 12, using the Registration link found below. Late registrations may be accepted on a space available basis, but t-shirts are not guaranteed. The registration fee to the Georgia Disciples Women is non-refundable, but transferable to another woman attending the retreat.
The retreat accommodations package includes six meals from Friday night dinner through Sunday lunch. Accommodations are in modern, hotel-style rooms for two nights, with an opportunity to enjoy an additional night before the retreat begins. You may choose between Pitts-Booth Motels, the Robertson Inn, or Turner Lodge. Motels are identical hotels adjacent to each other, just across the street from the dining hall and an easy walk to the meeting rooms. Robertson is just a few more steps, across the parking lot and on the inland waterway, and Turner Lodge is just another few steps past Robertson. You may choose a single, double, triple, or quad room, and indicate roommate(s), or not, as you prefer. Prices range from $193.46 to $421.35 for the weekend, all inclusive, depending on the accommodations selected. Learn more about Robertson Inn, Pitts Motel, and Turner Lodge and then make your reservation and pay through the Hotels/Meals link no later than September 12. Your Hotel/ Meals reservation must be secured with a minimum $100.00 deposit. While there may be rooms available after September 12, Epworth can only guarantee availability of our rooms up to that date. Individual cancellations after September 12 will forfeit $50 per person. Cancellations within 72 hours of arrival will forfeit the first night per person charges.
Retreat Leadership
Rev. Lainie Jenkins will bring an opening meditation on Saturday morning and the message at Sunday morning worship. Rev. Jenkins was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and was a Presbyterian for several years before moving to Guyton, GA, and joining the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). First following her call into planning, facilitating, and leading women’s retreats, and later into church leadership, she was ordained in 2017. Commissioned, then ordained as a minister in the Christian Church (DOC), Rev. Jenkins has served as Co-pastor for First Christian Church (DOC) in Savannah, on the staff of the Christian College of Georgia to offer educational programs for interim ministers, and facilitated Disciples on Campus at Georgia Southern University. She has served in various roles on the Georgia Regional Board, including Moderator, and she has been active in the Georgia Disciples Women Ministries for the last several years. She is currently serving as Interim Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Statesboro, and Director of Georgia Disciples Women Ministries.
Rev. Jenkins completed her BA in English and Philosophy from Illinois State and the College of Saint Francis, Joliet, IL, her MA in Conflict Management from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, Newburgh, IN, her Certificate in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University Chicago, and is a Registered Mediator in Georgia. She loves that her secular work in advocating for children in foster care dovetailed naturally with her desire to see every person empowered to advocate for herself, as well as for others, and to take Micah 6:8 to heart: “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God.”
Rev. Dr. Janice Johnson Hume will open our retreat on Friday evening with a vespers service, and will also share a little history behind the vespers tradition which will prepare us for a fruitful, spirit-filled weekend of fellowship. Dr. Hume is grateful for the opportunity to have served in various settings during 40 years of ministry. Those years have included serving on local church staffs, providing spiritual direction, adjunctive seminary teaching in pastoral care, and directing chaplain ministry at Campbell-Stone Retirement Communities for 18 years. Coming from a United Methodist background, she transitioned in 1978 to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia. Her education includes two Masters degrees and the Doctor of Ministry degree.
She is married to Nicholas, a clinical psychologist. They are happy for the change of pace in retirement, which gives them more time to enjoy being with the families of two children, and the flexibility to travel to see members of their four-generation family. When at home, Rev. Hume enjoys cooking, gardening, exercise, cultural events, being part of her local church life, and cultivating friendships.
Other Important Information
Service Project
Our retreat service project partner is Glynn Community Crisis Center / Amity House. Amity House is one of several services of the Glynn Community Crisis Center in Brunswick, GA, providing safety, residential services, and support to victims of domestic violence and their children in a comfortable home-like setting. Learn more about Amity House here. We will be collecting a variety of items needed by women and children served in the program; download a list here.
Sunday Offering
An offering will be received as part of Sunday morning worship to support Georgia Disciples Women’s Ministries and Week of Compassion. If you would like to send an offering contribution even if you cannot be there, make your donation here on this website, and be sure to select Georgia Disciples Women on the memo line.
Blessing Boxes
Blessing boxes, a long tradition with CWF and DW groups, are funds you personally collect in thanksgiving for the blessings you receive throughout the year and are a great way to support the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Half of Blessing Box donations support International Disciples Women Ministries, while the other half supports Disciples Mission Fund. You can bring your change, cash, or checks to the Retreat or make a donation online.
Silent Auction
Back by popular demand is our Silent Auction, with proceeds benefiting Georgia Disciples Women’s Ministry. Make a basket or box that would include items around a theme that you would like. Examples from the past include a basket with items to pamper yourself, a candy basket, spa basket, book basket, hiker’s basket, wine basket. Size of basket: Along with just a few larger baskets with more costly contents, we suggest small to medium baskets so that every woman can join in the bidding fun. To present the basket, include a card that: 1) Identifies the giver's name or group name and church, 2) Lists all the items included, 3) Lists fair market value, and 4) Suggests a minimum bid. Be sure to secure items in place, or wrap in clear wrapping paper so that items are visible.
In Remembrance
Please submit names of women in your families or churches who have passed away since the February 2025 retreat. Names should be submitted to Rev. Lainie Jenkins by September 5 to be included in the retreat booklet.
Scholarships
You are invited to help support other women who need a transformative weekend away — and who might not otherwise be able to attend the retreat. If you need scholarship assistance, contact Rev. Lainie Jenkins. All scholarships and inquiries are confidential.
Flyer
Download and post this flyer in your church or church’s newsletter or social media.
Questions?
If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please reach out to Rev. Lainie Jenkins, Regional Director of Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church in Georgia. Special thanks to the Georgia Disciples Women Leadership Team who have spent many hours planning the 2025 Georgia Disciples Women Fall Retreat.
Lynn Chapman, Union Christian Church, Watkinsville
Sharon Cline, New Hope Christian Church, Lawrenceville
Sherrill Gammon, First Christian Church, Marietta
Lavonda Shadix, First Christian Church, Eastman
Dolores Trimiew, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur
Linda Van der Merwe, First Christian Church of Griffin, Griffin
Rita Youngblood, The Table at FCC Warner Robins, Warner Robins
Rev. Lainie Jenkins (Regional Director of Women’s Ministries), Guyton Christian Church, Guyton
T-shirts
Georgia Disciples Women t-shirts will be available for sale as a fundraiser. Shirts are 100% cotton, heather gray, v-neck, with the logo in red on the front pocket area (there is no pocket). Order a t-shirt ($23) as part of your registration for the retreat. If you would like to order a t-shirt but cannot make the retreat, contact Rev. Lainie Jenkins by email below.
