10/16/2026
A Letter from the Founder:
Good morning, everyone,
My name is Sarah, and I had the privilege of founding The Gathering in 2024. I wanted to take a moment to share a bittersweet announcement with you all.
Since The Gathering takes a break in November and December, our time together for 2026 has come to a close, and The Gathering will not resume in 2027. My family and I have moved, and if the team could continue gathering with you all, we absolutely would. It has been such a gift to be part of this community, and we wish more than anything that we could keep opening those doors and making space for women to connect. Unfortunately, with this new season of life and our personal and professional commitments, we are unable to continue hosting The Gathering.
It is hard to put into words how grateful I am for every woman who walked through those doors. Thank you for showing up, for pouring out your hearts, for encouraging one another, and for saving a seat for the woman who might have felt forgotten, left out, or alone. Thank you for being willing to be real, to share in one another's joys and struggles, and to make room for women who simply needed a place to belong. The Gathering was never about having everything together. It was about coming as you were and knowing you didn't have to walk through life alone.
More than anything, my prayer is that every woman who walked through those doors felt seen and loved, not only by the women around her but, above all, by Jesus. I pray that through our time together, you caught even a glimpse of how deeply you are known and loved by Him. My hope has always been that The Gathering would be more than a monthly get-together. I pray it was a place where genuine friendships were formed, burdens felt a little lighter, and the love of Christ was made known through the way we loved one another.
I also want to give a huge thank-you to Claudia Ascencio and Lori McCall, who so generously donated their time and resources to make each gathering beautiful and provide delicious snacks. Y'all truly took The Gathering to the next level! Thank you for giving so much of yourselves and for helping create an environment that felt warm, welcoming, and special. I am so thankful for you both and the heart you poured into this ministry.
Although this chapter is coming to a close, I pray the heart behind The Gathering continues to grow. My hope is that a woman in Maricopa will feel encouraged to take this concept and start her own chapter of The Gathering, creating a genuine space where women can feel safe, seen, and heard by those around them and, above all, experience the love of Jesus. You don't need a perfect space, a big budget, or all the answers to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is a willing heart, an open door, and a seat at the table for someone who needs it. I would love nothing more than to see what began here continue to touch women's lives in new ways.
Lastly, I would be so grateful if you would join me in prayer as my family and I settle into this new chapter. Please pray that God would continue to work through me here in our new community and that, through Christ, I might make the same or an even greater impact than I was able to make in Maricopa. While there is sadness in leaving something so special behind, I trust that God is faithful to lead us where He calls us. I am excited to see how He will continue to use what He has placed in my heart in this next season.
Thank you for being part of The Gathering. Thank you for showing up, for being vulnerable, for loving one another, and for helping make this community what it was. Each of you played a part in its story, and I will always be grateful for the friendships, the conversations, the prayers, and the moments we shared. What a gift it has been to watch women come together and remind one another that they are not alone.
The Gathering may not continue in the way we have known it, but my prayer is that the love, encouragement, and connection we shared will continue long after our last meeting. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your stories. It has truly been an honor.
With a grateful heart,
Sarah
