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From the early morning to the early afternoon, as much of Winchester slept in on Saturday, a group of ladies met at First Christian Church at 24 E. Hickman Street. 

Christian Women Authors of Winchester, consisting of over 15 ladies and counting, met starting at 9:00 a.m. 

Coming together with a shared love of writing, people, and God, the group – as stated on https://rhondagouldonline.com/christian-women-authors-of-winchester/ – draws from the biblical passage of Habakkuk 2:2. 

The verse states: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run and readeth it.” 

While some members of the group could not be present, those appearing at Saturday’s gathering were Cinda Justice, Jacqueline Hamilton, Joan Pruden, Shawna Dillon, Sarah Lager, Paige Mounce, and Rhonda Gould – who facilitated much of the discussion. 

Gould’s granddaughter, Darci, also appeared and – though younger than most – was much active with the group. 

A continuing theme of the day was discovering how God could be seen working in both another individual’s life and their written work. 

For example, during a personal testimony, Paige Mounce shared that – although she went through many personal trials – she came to some profound understandings that she believes will help her reach out to others effectively. 

“You’re not a mess. Your mistakes, your past, things you grow through…you can let them break you or make you,” she said. “God can really work through the broken things.” 

Following Mounce’s testimony, the group indulged in a time of sharing what they’d written.

At a previous meeting, they had taken part in a clay project, in which they molded an object out of the material. 

Instructions afterward were to write something about that experience and share it with the group, thus leading to a deeper meaning. 

Several insights were observed. 

“I [had] a tree with roots, so I actually started a book from this prompt, and it’s called ‘Rooted Recovery,’” said Joan Pruden, who read the first section of her book. “I’ve never written a book before…the idea is that conscious contact with Christ is the healing agent and thing from most people’s recovery.” 

With projects being currently worked on, the group was asked to respond to certain questions. 

Among them were what God might be telling them about their current project, and what they might need to adjust in their life so that God can use writing for his glory. 

The group also discussed a number of potential upcoming ideas. 

For example, Sher Hudson is planning to put together a layout of what a compilation book of a writing from all authors might look like, while doing a group study for one hour each week of a course called “The Artist’s Way” is being considered. 

Previously, the group has trained others in writing at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Shelby County, and member Jacqueline Hamilton has helped run a summer writing camp for youth in association with Why We Write Inc. 

With an eye on the future, both were discussed, as was an upcoming writer’s workshop.

Titled “Write Now: A Beginner’s Workshop” and presented by Christian Women Authors of Winchester, the event will occur on Saturday, March 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, with a planning meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st, at 5:30 p.m. at La Trattoria, 30 N. Main Street. 

For those who wish to learn more, upcoming Author’s meetings will be held at 9:00 a.m. on May 18, as well as June 22, August 3rd, September 14, and November 2.  

While member Karen Webb will present on the 18, local author Hallee Bridgeman will speak at the meetings on June 22 and September 14. 

A second event, called a “Silent Retreat”, will take place from August 16th through August 18th, with the goal of others coming away with daily practices, feeling filled with peace, the spirit, and love. The registration deadline is April 12th, 2024. 

For those who wish to learn more, the group can be contacted at christianwomenauthorsofwin@gmail.com