It was late summer 2017, Geraldine had decided she wanted to celebrate her 50th birthday with her five favorite God’s-girls for three days and two nights at her favorite beach in Siesta Key, Florida: Brigette from Missouri, Hilary from Maryland, and Cheryl from New Jersey and Susan from Florida. These were all friendships of 20+ years. At the last minute, the fifth friend had to cancel. With less than 24 hours to leave, Geraldine took a chance and invited a new friend from her prayer group at her son’s school. Tiffany immediately said YES!

With one overnight bag each, with pretty much only bathing suits and pajamas, five of them packed into Geraldine’s Ford Focus and drove to Siesta Key to meet their sixth friend at the luxurious condo. Most of the girls didn’t know one another so Geraldine began the weekend with prayer as she thanked God for each gift of friendship, based on the Fruit of the Spirit that she saw in each friend. Gifts of love were given and received. With guards down, and without the labels of “wife”, “mom”, “daughter”, “boss”, “employee”, this group of women bonded in a remarkable way. God’s divine mercy and grace seemed to permeate the entire weekend. Days were spent floating in inflatable loungers on the clear blue Gulf of Mexico, sharing charcuterie and wine/water, laughing and getting to know each other better. Evenings began with spectacular sunsets, then were spent swimming in the pool/hot tub with deep/lighthearted conversations about everything under the sun.

Because it turned into such an amazing weekend, they all realized it had been God‘s plan to bring them together, not only to celebrate Geraldine, but to be refreshed and inspired themselves, and to form new friendships. Tiffany decided she would do the same thing the following year for her 50th birthday, including these new friends… and that was the beginning of many God’s-girls weekends.

The weekends were so life-giving, we decided to continue them annually, inviting other friends to join us. We chose the name, Women, Wine, and the Word, because although each weekend is different, it seemed to capture the essential elements:

Women: the weekend is for women only to have a safe place to set aside their various roles, be themselves and to encourage one another in whatever stage of life they are going through.

Wine: the weekend is designed for fun! We embrace laughter as a way to relax and let go of the seriousness of life. Although drinks are not necessary, they are welcome, especially in enjoying a relaxed atmosphere where pretenses can be dropped and joie de vivre can be had by all.

Word: the weekend is centered on the truth of God’s love for each of us. This is not a religious weekend and we are not affiliated with any particular denomination. All are welcome, whether you are on good terms with God or not. All are invited, but no one is required to participate in our morning gatherings to worship and talk about God’s unconditional love and grace. This the creation story of Women, Wine, and the Word, how it all began and how, over the years, it continues to be written by our good good God.