CHRISTMAS ADVENT WALK-THROUGH

Advent begins the first Sunday in December - what will this Christmas season hold for you.  Often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle and busy-ness of the season, only to flop down on the couch on Christmas Day, amidst ripped wrapping paper and tossed off bows, to realize that somehow you missed JESUS during the walk toward his birthday!

We want to offer you a chance - right at the first advent - to step into our space that we are providing for you to enter into time of reflecting, time of preparation, time of celebrating the birthday of Jesus!

It is our prayer that we will provide the space for you to encounter the CHRIST of Christmas in a way that draws you into love, and celebration!  Join us.

THIS IS FOR MEN and WOMEN BOTH!!  

IT IS A FREE EVENT!

The theme for this year's walk-through is:

"YOU ARE INVITED ...."

What is the Christ of Christmas inviting us to?  

Are we willing to enter in, to accept the invitation?

Come, and beginning in the Sanctuary ~ move through the rooms individually - enter into the invitation that the room represents 

respond as you feel moved to respond

and at the end, join us for some hot cider and cookies.

This is a free event - there are no strings attached. 

Just come, enter in, and be blessed!!

Saturday November 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Sunday November 30th (FIRST ADVENT) from 3 to 5 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Monday, December 1st from 9:00 to 11 am & 1 to 3 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR - and plan to attend one of these times.

(of course depending on how long you stay in each room, will dictate the time spent here - but we would for sure tell you to plan for an hour or two as you don't want to be rushed!!)  NOTE:  if you come at 8:15 we of course we allow for the full time for you - we just would like people to come within those time frames, thanks)

Last year we were blessed by people asking if they could donate towards the ministry 

and we were greatly appreciative and blessed.  This year, if you feel like you want to donate - once again we say thank-you in advance for any and all donation towards the ministry.

We are a non-profit ministry with charitable status.  

Tax receipts would be issued at the end of the year.

Stepping Out of the Traffic

Stepping Out of the Traffic!

I love how Eugene Peterson puts Psalms 46:10 in the Message :

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

    loving look at me, your High God,

    above politics, above everything.”

I am not sure about you - but sometimes, I honestly feel like I am caught in the traffic with no where to turn - no where to exit - no where to park!!  To think of stepping out of the traffic brings a sense of relief!!  I don't think I am the only one that feels this way.

Life has a way of speeding up ... sometimes we fill it to capacity PLUS and then we wonder why we are just "busy" running and finding it hard to catch our breath at times!  I have come to hate the word "busy"... I know that hate is a strong word - but in my opinion, the word "busy" has such a negative connotation.  Think of it - how does it make you feel when someone says "oh sorry, can't meet you, I am too busy" .  I think (and yes this is only my opinion) that we can get "busy" doing all kinds of good things.  Helping people - taking care of our family - working at a job we love - doing ministry/church stuff.  Yes ... all good.  However at some point, the "doing" overcomes us, and I for one - feel all done out!
Tired.  Overwhelmed.  Over scheduled.  Exhausted.  

Psalm 46:10 holds a special place in my heart, as it was this verse - these exact words that I heard God speak audibly.  I have only heard God speak loudly once - so loud that my eyes flew open expecting to see Him right there in front of me.  It was loud and clear and He said "be still and know that I am God."  I still get goosebumps thinking about that morning.  As the sun shone into the quiet room, and I sat there with my Bible closed, unable to even pray that morning - and there was the voice - HIS voice - loud and clear.
That is why this verse means so much to me.  God knew that morning, that I needed to hear those words.  

Be Still and Know that I am God
Be Still and Know that I am
Be Still and Know that I
Be Still and Know that
Be Still and Know
Be Still and
Be Still
Be

This verse is a call for us to "step out of the traffic" and put our life into park ..
not forward
not reverse
but stop and rest
cease striving
just soak up the presence of our most High God 
Step out of the traffic and into His presence
Into his arms
Put your head against His chest and hear His heartbeat for you!

I love to imagine sitting on his lap - just like my kids used to come and sit on my lap.
Just soaking in my love 
And feeling my arms around them.
I think that is how my Lord wants me to sit with Him.

I do this often.  I have come to see that I am someone who loves the quiet - the peace - the "being" part.  I guess this is why way back in 2000 He told me to "open up a place where women can go to just be".  I understood the "being" part.

So - my question for you is this - are you able to "step out of the traffic"  are you able to "be still" and know that HE IS GOD and He delights in you.  Yes - YOU.
We all have a unique walk with the Lord - I am sure no two of us are the same.
I hope that if you are so busy running - that you will make the time to just be still.
Maybe at home ...
     maybe while you are out for a walk
             maybe you are looking for a space to retreat to - 
away from the hustle and bustle of life?  

If so ... give us a call.  We have some space here - for you to "be still" in.
Call 204-416-3531 or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com to book your retreat!

Those are just my thoughts!  
Blessings,
Joy

A few things on the horizon ... MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!

OPEN HOUSE at the WELL :

If you are wondering about the place - what it looks like - what happens here - and every other question you have about our ministry - then this open house is for YOU!!
There is NO COST.  You just need to come.

We will open the doors on Wednesday October the 29th, 2014 between the following time slots:
10:30 to noon
1:30 to 3:00
and 7:30 to 9:00

If you want to come - just stop in during one of those time slots!  Joy's husband Alvin will join her in the evening slot - if there are men who also want to come but think it is only for women ... then come during this time!!

The coffee pot will be on!  You are invited.
More info - call 204-416-3531 or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com

Christmas is still a long way away - but I have already been thinking about what to do for our 2nd Annual Christmas Walk Through.   I need to commit it to prayer, but I already have a sense of where God is leading me with this!  It is exciting to dream, imagine and plan.  

Last year was our first Christmas Walk Through and we were pleased with those who came - a chance to step out of the hustle for an hour or two - and mediate on the reason we celebrate - JESUS.

If you already want to book this into your calendar - these are the times we will offer the Christmas Walk-Through.  This event is FREE!!

Saturday November 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Sunday November 30th (FIRST ADVENT) from 3 to 5 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Monday, December 1st from 9:00 to 11 am & 1 to 3 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

MAKING SPACE: Developing your Intimate Relationship with God

Women and MEN invited  (yes men too!!)

WHAT:    MAKING SPACE:  Developing your Intimate Relationship with God

WHEN:  Friday, September 12th

TIME:  9 am till 3 pm

WHERE:  Women Refreshed at the Well

5839 Henderson Hwy

Narol, MB

**this is a beautiful 15 minute drive NORTH on Henderson, 

13 kms from Henderson & North Perimeter

COST:  $35 including book (Your Ears Will Hear) and a light lunch

$20 if you already have the book

(Payable by CHEQUE or CASH only, thanks)

Details for the day:    This is a day retreat for men and women, to slow down and pay attention to how God is speaking to you and working in your life. You will have time to listen alone and together with others. You’ll receive tools to assist you in the journey of embracing a lifestyle of listening to God. You’ll hear stories of how others are hearing God’s voice.

To register, or for more information - please email Joy -     womenrefreshed@gmail.com   

or call 204-416-3531

 Steve Klassen, Director of the Mark Centre in Abbotsford, BC is facilitating this event!
This event is a partnership with The MARK Centre www.markcentre.org

and Women refreshed at the Well!!  We are thankful to be able to do this together!!

A time of spiritual refreshment through music! Don't Miss this!

House Concert  with Cathy AJ Hardy

Saturday, July 12, 2014    7:30pm

Venue: Women Refreshed at the Well  

Address: 5839 Henderson Hwy  

Admission: Donation at the door

Cathy AJ Hardy

is a singer/songwriter, performing artist, poet, 

retreat leader and music instructor from beautiful Mission, BC. 

Cathy’s music, poetry and stories reflect her deep connection to the land around her and her journey of faith.

Cathy’s music has been nominated with the 

Gospel Music Awards of Canada for Inspirational Album of the Year and 

Folk/Roots Album of the Year.

Her music has been described as soulful, healing, inspirational, and transformative.  She has produced four albums, two solo albums and two albums inspired by the prayer songs of Taize.  Come for an evening out of music from the heart and soul!  Donations will be supporting 

Women Refreshed at the Well and Cathy’s music ministry.

***Space if limited - so please RSVP to reserve your spot, by Friday, July 11th at 6 pm.

Thanks so much!

for more information on Cathy 
please see her website
www.cathyajhardy.com

We are doing a fundraising "Garden Party"

Fundraising "Garden Party"

Come for an evening of food and fellowship.  There is no cost for the food,

however we are doing this as a fundraiser for our gardens, and donations are greatly welcomed.

Charitable Tax Receipts will be given for all donation.

We would love a head count ahead of time, so please RSVP 

to Joy by phone @ 204-416-3531

or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com

All RSVP names will go into a draw.

As well, we will be selling tickets for an "Audi for the weekend" 

courtesy of St. James Audi

Tickets are 1 for $10

3 for $25

8 for $50 

and 20 for $100

Ticket sales do not get tax receipts.

Hope to see you there!!

PLEASE BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR!!

IF: Gathering

A few months ago, someone called me about booking the retreat house for a Friday - Saturday booking, as she was planning on hosting an IF: Gathering LOCAL and would like to do it at the retreat house.  So it was, that on Friday, 4 women sat in our great room, and we plugged into LIVESTREAMING of the IF: Gathering.  All I can say is WOW.  WOW.  WOW.

I would suggest you go to the IF: Gathering page on Facebook, or www.ifgathering.com for more information.  

It was a wonderful weekend from both my perspective, as well as from the women who were here.  A weekend of praise and worship, of teaching, of listening, or seeking God and talking/unpacking together.  I know that IF: Gathering is geared to the generation of women younger than me, but without a doubt, true to how God works - He blessed me too!! I want to say it was very very exciting to hear the speakers talk with great passion about Jesus Christ!

I did however have a regret, and that was that my daughters, and their friends weren't also sitting and watching and being blessed.  I am thankful that I can buy the digital download (which I will do) and I have decided that when they run it next year , that I can run it as a planned event for the ministry - and open it up to even more women to come and soak it all in.  

I am convinced, because I have seen the younger generations at work, that God is moving in them and through them, in a very powerful way!  It is exciting.  It is greatly encouraging.  It if life giving!!  To God be the glory for all that He is going to do.  

I really encourage you to go to the website link of IF: Gathering.  I also just joined the IF: Equip

and look forward to studying the same portion of Scripture with women across the world!  Jennie Allen, founder of IF: Gathering - you can't help but feel the passion, and it is contagious!!  God is at work in our younger generation - and I pray He continues to give Jennie and her team increased strength, energy, passion and vision!  TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

blessings,

Joy