COKESBURY WOMEN
Teaching groups, community building, and fellowship for women of all ages and stages of life. Subscribe to our Women’s Ministry Updates for more information.
FALL 2025 KICK-OFF ON AUGUST 27!
Join us for our Fall Kick-off for Cokesbury Women on Wednesday, August 27! Potluck brunch begins at 9:15, followed by information on this fall's group & class offerings.
Classes and groups meet September 3 through November 19, except for October 8, during Knox County's Fall Break.
- Mom's Group (for moms with kids at home) - "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brene Brown
- Elijah: Faith & Fire by Priscilla Shirer
- Luke in the Land by Kristi McLelland
- Breath by Priscilla Shirer
- Beside Care Group for Surviving Spouses
Childcare is available with registration only.
SAVE THE DATE: WOMEN'S RETREAT!
We are excited to host our first Cokesbury Women's Retreat, November 14 - 16, in the Smoky Mountains. Join guest speaker Gayla Grace for worship, friendship, and rest. The weekend's topic is The Unshaken Heart: Pursuing Peace in Life's Every Season. Accommodations: large cabin in Walland, Tenn. Registration and more information coming soon!
WEDNESDAY EVENING MOMS' GROUP
In the moms' group, we will be looking at Brené Brown's book, "The Gifts of Imperfection". We all want to be the perfect mom, but that is not possible. We will walk together through each of her "Guideposts" to try to combat the desire to be perfect. Most importantly, though, we will share in this beautiful journey of motherhood that is the hardest and by far the most rewarding gift in our lives. The Wednesday Evening Mom's Group begins September 3 and meets from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
BESIDE: CARE GROUPS FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES
BESIDE I: MONDAYS FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM *BEGINS SEPTEMBER 8
This group is designed for women who are newly experiencing grief or who are at the beginning stages of wanting to understand more about grief. Whether a loss has happened recently or years ago, we believe this group is a good starting place to learn the “language of grief” and ways that the body, mind, and heart can respond to this significant life experience. Beside I groups will form in September and January of each year, allowing women the opportunity to take Next Steps as they feel led. Women are welcome to join or drop in on this group at any point. The goals for Beside I are: safe connection; loving support, learning the realities of grief; and finding stability and direction.
This therapeutic group focuses on topics such as:
- The process of grief and how thoughts and feelings can be expressed (as well as misunderstood)
- Myths about grief
- Sadness vs. depression
- Secondary losses
- Realizing, remembering, resolving, and reconnecting life stories
- Finding direction in grief - journaling, breathing techniques, mindfulness
- Discovering “parts of self” and how this influences our experience and response
- Grounding techniques and strategies to work with, instead of against, the nervous system
BESIDE II: WEDNESDAYS FROM 10 TO 11:30 AM *BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3
This group is designed as ongoing support and encouragement for women who are learning to carry grief and love forward in life. The theme is “learning how to live with more love than pain”. Excerpts from Finding Meaning by David Kessler will be shared and reflected on in an open-share format. Women are welcome to share as they feel led. The goals for Beside II are safe, meaningful connection; knowledgeable encouragement; and support for healthy living.
Beside II
will reflect on questions such as:
- What have you accomplished in the past week that surprised you?
- When did you feel proud of yourself this week?
- What challenges are you facing this week?
- How are you practicing self-care?
THURSDAY MORNING WOMEN'S GROUP
Join us beginning Thursday, September 11, for our retired women's group bible study. This fall, we'll study Deborah: Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges by Sandra L. Richter. We gather at 9:30 for video teaching, then break into small groups for discussion, wrapping up by 11:30.
FIRST SUNDAYS
Cokesbury Women gather for Ladies' Night on the first Sunday of the month. Women of all ages and life stages are invited to join us for a meal (that you don't have to cook OR clean up!) and fun. Join us for Trivia Night on Sunday, September 7, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Childcare is available for children in preschool and younger.
WOMEN'S HIKING GROUP
Our Women's Hiking Group selects a local hiking destination every few weeks. Times, days, and hike difficulty will vary. Sign up for emails to get all the details on upcoming hikes!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Whether you knit or crochet, and are interested in making prayer shawls and more for our Care Ministry, we invite you to lend your gifts and talents to the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Contact Bev for more information at lemme.bev@gmail.com.
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
The Cokesbury United Women in Faith is an organization that puts their faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children, and youth in our communities and around the world. We strive to connect women through fellowship, creative programs, fundraisers, and volunteer work so all will know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ.
Martha Circle meets on the second Monday of each month at 10 am on the North Campus in Room 200. Contact Bev Lemme at 865-250-9568.
Priscilla Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:30 pm on the North Campus in the Conference Room. Priscilla Circle does not meet in December. Contact Char Taylor at 865-405-5557.
