Last Saturday, I joined the women of Jersey Village Baptist Church in Houston for a time of sweet fellowship, good food, and encouragement from Scripture at their “Black and White with a Splash of Color!” luncheon. Penny Ward and her team did a fabulous job with the event!

I like the way their logo reflected the theme of the luncheon!

Our theme Scripture was Psalm 90:12  “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

I loved the way each table hostess interpreted the verse visually through her table-scape! It’s a gentle way of reinforcing the Scripture without words. Beginning with basic black and white, every hostess added at least one additional color to her table. Here are two of my favorites:

The Green table with an open Bible turned to the Psalm 90…

I loved the simple white rose on the open Bible and the white hydrangea with gorgeous green leaves.

Here’s a playful pink table…

I liked how this hostess framed our theme verse in a hot pink frame! I’m also glad the little doll was there because this was an intergenerational event and the younger girls could relate to the doll.

But this NEXT picture is the one that stole my heart. If you know me well, you know I have a “thing” for turquoise. (I even have a Pinterest board devoted to turquoise!)

I stopped to take this picture because the sparkly turquoise accents looked so great to me against the black and white on the table. I was focused on the table-scape at the moment I snapped the picture.

But when I got home and looked at my photos, this one took my breath away. Look at it, then I’ll tell you why…

My attention was on the lovely turquoise table, but the way these two gals in the background were so glad to see each other reminded me of why I do what I do.

I remembered how they greeted each other by throwing up their arms and saying, “I have not seen you in so long!” and “I’ve missed you!! How are you?” They hugged and hugged, rocking side to side like long lost sisters.

This picture helps me remember why I do what I do.

As much as I love lovely decorated tables- especially ones with sparkly turquoise accents- it’s not about the pretty table-scapes.

As much as I love to travel to new places and paint while I’m teaching from the Bible. It’s not about that.

Seeing women have a few minutes to relax, reengage with Scripture, and reenergize relationships for the race of life is what it’s all about. An opportunity to see and hug a girlfriend you have not seen in forever (as these two women did). A few moments for a girl to stop, take a deep breath, and look at life from a heavenly perspective when the world has her in a choke hold.

That’s what I love about women’s ministry events!

I hear a lot about photobombs these days- where someone gets in the background of your photo (intentionally or by accident) and ruins the picture. 

I had to smile when I saw this picture because it was not a photobomb, but a perfect illustration of why I love working in women’s ministry so much. 

“How can we help busy women form meaningful, Christ-centered connections with one another?”

That was the question several women’s ministry leaders pondered together at a leadership lunch last week. As we talked about creative ways to set the stage for women to build supportive relationships with one another, it reminded me of the seed of a great idea I’d seen at a church in Austin, TX. It may be something that your women’s group might want to try as you plan for the upcoming year.

Connection Event: Surprise Suppers

Here’s how it works: Several hostesses are enlisted to prepare and serve a simple supper for 5 to 7 women. It’s held in the hostess’ home on a designated evening that’s Surprise Supper night.

Attendees sign up in advance to participate in Surprise Supper night, with a registration deadline several days prior to the evening so that an adequate number of hostess homes are prepared. (If a woman is reluctant to attend alone or wants to bring a guest, the option of signing up with a friend to take part in the evening can be helpful. Those who sign up together go to the same host home for dinner.)

Women meet at the church at 6:00 on the evening of the event to receive instructions, including directions to the home where they’re going for dinner.

Supper groups may be determined by either randomly drawing names the evening of the event or pre-assigning women to a home. (Pre-assignments may be shared with hostesses or may be kept as a surprise to both the hostess and her guests.)

When participants gather at the church at 6:00, attendees receive a card that says something like this:  Welcome to Surprise Supper! You are going to 123 Smithton Street (map included). The phone number is 123-4567 if you need additional instructions. Supper starts at 6:30. See you there!

• Women going to the same location may want the option to carpool from the church to the host home.
• This event may be free or a small donation for the hostess (to defray the cost of the food) may be requested.  
• There’s no agenda other than sharing a meal and having conversation that builds connections between women. 

Romans 12:13b simply says: “Practice hospitality.”

Surprise Supper is a creative approach to help women practice and participate in the gift of hospitality. In the process, they get to experience meaningful, Christ-centered connections in an intimate, in-home setting.

I’d love to hear if your group gives this a try. . . and of any creative twists you add to the event!