Georgia Disciples Women’s Fall Retreat 2026
Georgia Disciples Women are returning to Epworth by the Sea, September 25-27, for their 2026 Fall Retreat. You won't want to miss this weekend of deepening faith, exploring spiritual practices, and expanding friendships with Disciples women from across the state.
"Dayenu: Practicing Gratitude for Such a Time as This" is the theme as we gather in the beautiful coastal setting of St. Simons, GA. "Dayenu," a song that is part of the Jewish holiday of Passover, means "it would have been enough," and will give us an opportunity to explore how gratitude can shape our faith and our lives.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Apostle Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” With that as our focus scripture, the fall retreat will feature new and familiar opportunities including expanded Bible study, a drum circle, workshops, service, a silent auction, and free time to explore St. Simons, GA.
Registration Information
Check In & Check Out
Retreat check in begins at 4 pm on September 25 in Jones Auditorium, with dinner available beginning at 5 pm. Check out is Sunday, September 27, by 11 am. Worship begins at 10:30 am, with lunch available from 12-1 before departure.
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 $82, 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 $20. Register no later than September 11, 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 $195.30 to $429.56 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 11. Your Hotel/ Meals reservation must be secured with a minimum $100.00 deposit. While there may be rooms available after September 11, Epworth can only guarantee availability of our rooms up to that date. Individual cancellations after September 11 will forfeit $50 per person. Cancellations within 72 hours of arrival will forfeit the first night per-person charges.
Retreat Leadership
Bible Study Leader & Preacher
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Rev. Kathy McDowell will lead expanded opportunities for Bible study during the weekend retreat and bring the message for Sunday morning worship. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She served 10 years as a pastor and associate pastor in Disciples of Christ congregations in Georgia and for five years as editor of Just Women magazine and Bible study, published by Disciples Women. Most recently, she served as the communications coordinator for the Christian Church in Georgia. With both a B.A. in journalism and a M.Div., she has viewed writing and editing as a ministry in both her personal and professional life. She continues to preach and teach, including most recently as Brookhaven Christian Church’s sabbatical pastor. Her favorite way to serve in the church is teaching Bible study.
She has served on various advisory boards including the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Regional Board of the Christian Church in Georgia, and the Executive Committee for International Disciples Women’s Ministries (IDWM).
She is a native of Nebraska but has called Georgia home for more than 40 years. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy their family which includes three sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, reading, hiking, and travel. She is grateful for the distinctively Disciples way of Bible study which encourages listening to many voices.
Drum Circle Facilitator
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Peggy Benkeser will be leading a drum circle and demonstrating the community-forming power of music, drawing on the biblical tradition of women and music.
She is a teaching artist, arts-integration specialist, drum circle facilitator, musician, educator, creative collaborator, grandmother, and outdoor enthusiast who calls Atlanta home. She has performed worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician. Her innovative approach to the arts has been recognized nationally with awards from ASCAP and Chamber Music America for Adventurous Programming. West African drumming, Javanese gamelan music, jazz, and traditional Irish music all play an integral role in her musical life and teaching.
She is a certified Arts-Integration Specialist and has worked extensively as a teaching artist and consultant on state and federal grants, advancing literacy and STEM education through arts integration. Since 2022, she has facilitated over 50 teacher trainings and residencies in arts integration throughout the southeastern United States. In 2023 and 2024, she presented workshops focused on story-driven learning for engineering educators from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University.
Passionate about nurturing and supporting the growth of people and organizations, she currently facilitates weekly life-skills classes and arts-infused workshops for unhoused women at the Atlanta Mission’s Restoration House. She delights in using her creative energy and talents to help others achieve their goals and dreams through workshops, consulting, and creative collaborations with schools and communities nationwide. She is grateful for music and its ability to bring communities together.
Other Important Information
Service Project
Each year, Georgia Disciples Women select a service project to support as part of the Fall Retreat. More information to come about the 2026 service project.
Sunday Offering
An offering will be received as part of Sunday morning worship to support Georgia Disciples Women’s Ministries. 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
With our theme of gratitude, Blessing Boxes are a particularly appropriate spiritual practice for this year’s retreat. A long tradition with CWF and DW groups, Blessing Boxes invite participants to drop in a coin (or dollar!) in thanksgiving for the blessings you receive throughout the year. The funds which are collected then 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, and wine basket. Size of basket: 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 addition to auction items, items are also requested for the “set price” table – generally small items ranging from $3-$10.
In Remembrance
Please submit names of women in your families or churches who have passed away since the Fall 2025 retreat. Names should be submitted to Rev. Lainie Jenkins by September 4 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 2026 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, First Christian Church of Atlanta, Tucker
Linda Van der Merwe, First Christian Church of Griffin, Griffin
Rev. Lainie Jenkins (Regional Director of Women’s Ministries), Guyton Christian Church, Guyton