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Artistic Write-in with Theresa Graeve

A Splash of Color: Sent with Love
A Write-in with Theresa Graeve

Where watercolors will lead to an inspiring story

March 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Omaha Christian Center

Theresa’s done it before and will do it again. Using an artistic approach, she’ll inspire us as writers. (Ask Kaylene. She had an idea for a book, and thanks to Theresa’s inspiration, the first chapter is now written.) After painting postcards with watercolors, the creative juices will “send our writing to the next level.” (That’s a Theresa quote.)

Obviously, we’re going to have fun. Theresa will provide the watercolors, postcards, pens, and paper needed. Feel free to bring your laptops as well. Snacks and water will be served.

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Omaha Christian Center is located at 4215 N. 92nd Street, Omaha, NE 68134. The meetings are held in the church’s fellowship hall. Park in the south parking lot, enter through the main door, and follow the signs.

Dwayne Straw: The Importance of Research

The Importance of Research

Join us at our next Wordsowers meeting:
February 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Street
Omaha, NE 68134

Please note: We no longer offer Zoom as an option for our monthly meetings.

Wordsowers is proud to announce that our very own Dwayne Straw will share about the importance of thorough research for both fiction and nonfiction writers. Some of the topics he’ll cover are: 1) What is the definition of research? 2) Does your story need research? 3) How does research impact your work, and we might add, your credibility? 4) Where do you search for information? 5) What pitfalls should you watch for?

Dwayne has been a part of Wordsowers for many years, way back when Kat Crawford conducted critique meetings in her home. He attended the meetings along with Jeanie, Angela, the Williamsons, Karen, and many others. (What an incredible legacy those names represent.) We’re encouraging you, whether an oldie-but-goodie or a newbie, to honor Dwayne for his years of faithfulness by attending this meeting.

Dwayne is a self-published author of four books that are a part of a fictional series set in World War Two, The Dane Shaw Series. Dwayne wants folks to know Dane Shaw’s name has no bearing on his own name. And yes, this editor (Lollie) asked him that question.  I have also read all four books and can vouch for his excellence in research, not to mention his strong character development, and powerful verbiage. His books are available on Amazon:  Dane Shaw Adventure (4 book series) Kindle Edition.

After Dwayne’s presentation and the Q&A session, if time allows, we’ll spend a few minutes addressing additional questions related to writing, publishing, formatting, editing, and more. Index cards will be available for you to jot down your questions, and one card will be selected to discuss.

Beginning in March, keep an eye out for our new WS newsletter feature, “Because You Asked,” where we’ll share answers to some of your submitted questions.

(The meetings are held in the church’s fellowship hall. Park in the south parking lot, enter through the main door, and follow the signs.)

Please Honor Us With YOUR Presence

Wordsowers Annual Christmas Party
The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Saturday, December 6th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

You and a guest are invited to the WS Annual Christmas Party. It will be held at Amy Stanley’s home located at 18814 Alder Drive, Omaha, NE 68136.

There’ll be a short devotion on the theme of “The Gift that Keeps on Giving,” as well as Christmas carols, brunch, fellowship time, games, and door prizes.

For brunch, we’re asking people with last names beginning in A-M to bring a “savory” dish such as eggs, bacon, sausage, or casseroles. We’re asking people with last names beginning in N-Z to bring a “sweet” dish, such as cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, or fruit. Beverages will be provided.

You won’t want to miss our always-entertaining White Elephant gift exchange. In keeping with the theme, “The Gift that Keeps on Giving,” bring something you already have at home, ideally a present you’ve received but never quite found a use for. Wrap it up and bring it to the party. (Please don’t purchase a gift.) Let’s keep it lighthearted and have some laughs together.

You’ll need to RSVP for the Christmas party no later than Tuesday, December 2nd. To RSVP, send an email to Debbie Crom at debbie_crom@yahoo.com or text her at 402-238-2188 (or you can reply to this WS newsletter email). In the email or text, be sure to tell Debbie how many will attend and what specific brunch dish you are bringing.

Guest Speaker: Cheryl Paden

Guest Speaker: Cheryl Paden
Writing from Life

Thursday, September 25th, at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)


Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. Isaiah 30:8 (NIV) 

God has given each of us specific and individual life experiences. When writing, what better place to draw from than our own lives? In this workshop, Cheryl Paden will discuss collecting and perfecting life stories to create literature. Discover how writing from your own life can become your most powerful form of expression. Whether you write nonfiction, fiction, essays, or poetry, there are myriad ways to implement your life experiences into your stories.

Cheryl Paden is a nonfiction writer with a passion for crafting inspirational, devotional, and memoir pieces. Her portfolio boasts of over 100 published works, including magazine articles, anthologies, newspaper columns, and devotional books. Her current literary endeavors include an Advent devotional, a nonfiction book on seeking a balanced lifestyle, and a Sacred Balance Journal.

She has facilitated spiritual and writing retreats, women’s ministry workshops, and Bible studies. As a previous instructor at Metro Community College, Cheryl has taught an eight-week course on “Writing for Life” and does a one-hour summary presentation at writing workshops.

An active member of several writing communities including Wordsowers, Cheryl is affiliated with HACWN, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Compel Pro Writer Training, and “My Thoughts Exactly,” (a local writer’s group). Her diverse background includes professional roles as a registered nurse, an apartment manager and bookkeeper, and a local pastor in the United Methodist Church.

To stay connected with Cheryl and explore her work, visit her website at Seeking Balance by Cheryl and follow her on Facebook at seekingbalancebycheryl. If you are interested in a prayer journal designed to inspire and encourage daily conversation with God, go to Sacred Balance: A Prayer Journal: Discovering Sacred Balance in an Out-of-Balance World.: Paden, Cheryl A.: 9781733260909: Amazon.com: Books.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines, and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

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Kaylene Sasse Will Speak on a Powerful Topic

August Wordsowers Meeting

Guest Speaker: Kaylene Powell
Made for This: When the Lord Uses Our Shaping for the Edification of Others

Thursday, August 28th, at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)


Come and hear about how both natural wiring and personal experiences shaped the heart, outlook, and output of one cross-genre writer. Reading of book excerpts and reflective exercises (for your own use afterwards) will be included. 

Kaylene Sasse (who writes under her maiden name, Powell) has published multiple language learning curricula and academic essay papers, as well as a novel, an academic nonfiction volume, a poetry collection, and a memoir. She has also written a second novel, three novellas, and several children’s stories that she would like to publish in the future. You can read more about Kaylene and enjoy her blog posts via www.kaylenepowell.com and follow her on Facebook (Kaylene Powell, Author). Kaylene lives in Bellevue with her beloved husband and sweet Maltese puppy.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines, and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Please note: The church is experiencing internet issues. We apologize if you’re not able to connect via Zoom. The church is working on the issue and we’re praying Zoom will be available for the May meeting with Angie Hanson.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

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“Refresh Your Purpose” Retreat
RSVP by Saturday, June 7th


Refresh your spirit and your call.

Sonlit Acres
Waterloo, NE
Saturday, June 14th
9:00-5:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for this life-inspiring event at Sonlit Acres in Waterloo, NE. You’ll spend time together with others in God’s Word and in worship, as well as have alone time where you can reflect on God’s purpose for your life. You’ll also have opportunities to write, share, and fellowship. At the end of the day may you be refreshed and inspired to walk out God’s call for your life as a writer. The cost for the retreat is $25.00, which includes a light lunch of deli meats, cheeses, bread, fruits, and veggies. Water will be provided. (Feel free to bring your own snacks/beverages to eat/drink throughout the day.)

To RSVP, contact Amy Stanley at amystanleyauthor@gmail.com or respond to the newsletter’s email address. We need to hear from you by Saturday, June 7th, if you’re interested in attending the retreat. You can pay two ways – 1) bring $25.00 CASH with you to the retreat , or 2) send a check to Lollie in the name of Eleanor Hofer no later than Monday, June 9th. Her address is 12927 Chandler Street, Omaha, NE 68138.

Some folks are spending Friday night at Sonlit Acres. If you’re interested in spending the night, reserve a room directly through them. Here is their website: HOME | Sonlit Retreats. Contact Amy to receive a discount code to spend the night or if you have any questions about the retreat.

Location for the retreat is 2304 Campanile Road Waterloo, NE 68069. 

Please note, we will not have critique group or the regular monthly meeting in June.

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Powerful Message of Grace and Hope for Writers

May Wordsowers Meeting

Speaker: Angie Hanson
Navigating Grief with Grace and Hope

Thursday, May 22nd, at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

Wordsowers is thrilled to announce our May speaker, Angie Hanson. She will share how the Lord of grace and hope walked with her as she experienced a series of horrific tragedies in her life. She’ll encourage writers to use their life experiences to minister to and encourage others facing difficult situations.

Angie Hanson is a grief educator, certified grief coach, and the founder of Butterflies + Halos, a grief-focused stationary and support brand. As a multi-time author, she shares her personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience to help others navigate grief with grace and hope.

She is the author of Chapters of a Resilient Heart, a deeply personal memoir on grief and healing, and a contributing author in Resilient A.F.: Stories of Resilience, Volume 2. She is also releasing in May 2025, two more co-authored books, Grace & Grit: Stories of Overcoming Life’s Hardest Challenges with Resilience, and the upcoming Stories of Family & Friends Lost anthology, where she honors the legacy of her late husband. Through her writing, speaking engagements, and grief coaching, she creates space for healing, connection, and the power of resilience.

Find Angie and her offerings at: Butterflies & Halos Homepage – Butterflies and Halos. Follow her on socials at Instagram or FB: Facebook.

You can purchase her book on her website or you can go to Amazon to purchase or if you like the kindle version, it is also available at: https://a.co/d/8KC5GF8.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

You’re Asked for It: Write-Ins

April Wordsowers Meeting
Write-In
with Amy Stanley

Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

You’ve asked for write-ins for quite some time now and we’ve finally listened. Bring your laptops or pen and paper, along with whatever project you’re working on, to the April Wordsowers meeting. Amy Stanley, who is overseeing a couple of write-ins this year as well as a Saturday retreat in June, will conduct the write-in.

For writers not currently in the middle of a project, come anyway. We’ll provide some challenges and prompts for you. Let’s get those creative juices flowing.

If you’re able to do so, we’re asking you to bring snacks to share with others. The evening will be a mix of writing, fellowship, munching, and crunching. Wordsowers will provide the beverages.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

Is God Calling You to Serve WS?

The WS Support Team Needs You
Opportunities to Serve Others

Nope, we’re not talking about tennis. We just needed to get your attention.

To be honest, Wordsowers needs willing people to step out of their comfort zones to serve others. The WS support team is looking for two or three people who are interested in being a part of the team. After talking to the Lord about it, if you feel this is something He’s calling to you to do, contact Debbie at debbie.crom@yahoo.com or Lollie at lolliehofer@yahoo.

Here are some service opportunities for you to consider: set the agenda and lead monthly meetings, oversee the Critique Group, promote Wordsowers in the Omaha community, provide write-in opportunities at coffee houses, and help the team plan special activities apart from the regular meetings.

After prayer, if Jesus is nudging you to serve Him through Wordsowers, please contact us.

You Have a Voice, Use It

February Wordsowers’ Meeting

You Have a Voice
Here’s Your Opportunity to Share Your Thoughts and Ideas

Thursday, February 27th at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

Whether you’ve been with Wordsowers for twenty-five years (like Lee Warren) or this is your first meeting, we want to hear from you. The WS support team never sets the agenda for the year until they hear from its members. (You don’t have to sign-up to join Wordsowers and there are no membership fees. Members constitute those who attend monthly meetings, in-person or on zoom.)

At the February meeting, we’ll spend a few minutes in prayer asking the Lord to direct our steps in 2025.

Then it will be your turn to share your thoughts and ideas about Wordsowers. What do you like about the meetings? What do you dislike about the meetings? Would you be interested in write-ins where you’d connect with other writers, write some, fellowship some, and eat some? Do you want to continue with speaker meetings? Do you have ideas for topics or speakers? Do you have ideas on how to promote Wordsowers? Besides offering the monthly meetings and the critique group, how else can Wordsowers serve you?

You have the freedom to express your thoughts and ideas in a non-threatening environment. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box of what you know Wordsowers to be. Wordsowers dares you to start out by saying, “This may sound crazy but…” Even if they can’t utilize all your ideas, the WS support team still wants to hear from you. The only thing they ask is that you be kind to those who serve or have served. No personal attacks, please.

After the official meeting is over, there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

“The Christmas Mystery”
Annual Wordsowers’ Christmas Party

Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Zoom will not be provided.)

Location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Street
Omaha, NE 68138

You and one guest are invited to join us in discovering “The Christmas Mystery” at our annual Wordsowers’ Christmas party. We’ll enjoy a potluck brunch, short devotional, a mystery game and a “Mystery Gift Exchange.” There will be door prizes.

For the potluck brunch, egg and potato dishes will be provided. You’re asked to bring a side dish to compliment the meal such as fruit, finger foods, and pastries. (Gluten-free options will be available.)

If you’d like to participate in the “Mystery Gift Exhange,” please don’t get too serious with your gift (the funnier the better). We challenge you to find that “perfect” gift from a local thrift store. Please keep the gifts under $10.00.

We need to hear from you. Be sure to email your RSVP to Debbie Crom by Monday, December 2nd, at debbie_crom@yahoo.com or text her at 402-238-2188. Let her know if you’re bringing a guest and what dish you’ll provide for the brunch. (Or you can RSVP to the newsletter’s email.)

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.


What are you thankful for this year?

There are no regular monthly meetings in November and December. WS Critique group will meet in November but not in December. Be sure and check out the Christmas Mystery Party details for December 7th. (Posted separately from this post.) Regular monthly meetings will resume in January on the fourth Thursday.

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