Pondering the Chapters of the Christmas Story: our Advent Walk Through

Our Annual Advent Walk Through is back!

This is to inform you of the dates 

in case you want to make this part 

of your advent season.

Time slots available (I slot people in 15 minutes apart however it takes you about an hour to go through all the stations). The last time that shows ie: 1-4, or 6-9 means that this is the last time slot for the day or evening.  Knowing it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours means if you come at 9 am time slot, you will leave at 10:30 aprox.  We are okay with this if this time suits you better!

Pondering the Chapters of the Christmas Story

Saturday, December 3: 1-4 pm & 7:00 - 9:30 pm

Sunday, December 4: 7:30-9:30 pm

Monday, December 5: 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday, December 6: 9 am - 10:30 am and 6-9pm

Wednesday, December 7:9-11 am & 1-4 pm 

Thursday, December 8: 9-11 am, 1-4 pm & 6-9 pm

Saturday, December 10: 10:30 am - 4 pm 

This event is a free event 

however we won't turn away donations!

** if you want to come with a group - let me know and we will see what we can do

to book your time slot - email womenrefreshed@gmail.com 

Slowly moving into Autumn at The Well

Life at The Well has felt a little bit like a motor beginning to warm up again and run.  Some people have asked me - "ARE YOU FULL?"  and while I appreciate the intent of their question, it begs a bigger conversation.  And well, the answer is NO we are not full if you mean - are all rooms booked every day of the week - 24/7?  Yep that would be full and to be honest - I am not sure we would want that kind of full.  

Prior to covid happening, I think in the year 2019 we hosted almost 340 people in the year.  Now that included ANYHOW who came for a visit - whether it was an overnight, a day retreat, or a Bible Study night, or a coffee visit.   I loved the rhythm of that year - it felt like we were seeing repeat people who had worked retreat into their rythm of life.  

Well - then Covid hit!  And I will be honest - because while it affected us in a big way - as every other business was affected (no clients - no income) but still there were some gifts of COVID and it came in the way of having time to just be, and to listen to the voice of God speak into our vision for ministry here.  And HE always has a way of clarifying things when HE speaks.   For that I am thankful.

While many things have changed - some thing have remained the same - and we are still here and offereing retreat space for you to come to.  We still offer space at The Well for women, for couples and for individual men.  And again - we do NOT put couples together with individual retreaters, and we do not mix men retreating at the same time as individual women so THAT has not changed.  

While we are not full - and not even close - we have seen that God is bringing those that need to come.There is some much hurt out there - so much confusion - so much sadness - so much stuff in lives that needs to be worked through.  While we have no counsellor here - I do have a certification as a Spiritual Director, and it is often my privilege to sit with someone over breakfast and to listen and pray with people.   While we are NOT full, we have seen a flow of people coming to spend quiet time with God.  We continue to offer retreat time during the week and also weekends.  

If you are wondering what is available - please EMAIL us at womenrefreshed@gmail.com  and we will figure something out for you.  If you are wondering about the new year - 2023 - then we are booking into that already - so don't wait and be disappointed.  

Again - please EMAIL instead of phoning.  I have been thinking of cancelling the landline due to all the spam calls we get - but I have it there in case you do phone - as it gives the informaion and strong encouragement to email.  We need the paper trail - as it just gives all the info instead of having things all over the place (facebook/instagram messages are not always checked so again please email).

Till then - take care and enjoy this season of Fall.  Leaves are begining to turn - a reminder that we go through seasons in life - in every way!

Talk soon - we look forward to hosting you 

Joy

Our second virtual fundraiser is in the book!

 

... and a time to dance!

Our virtual Evening of Celebration and Giving:  Seasons is in the books!  We celebrated this event with pizza kits from Mona Lisa Restaurante, and we watched the program in the comfort of our own homes!

We believe this is one of the best events ever!  But we may be biased - so we would gladly take your comments!!

If you were not a part of the event but would like to see it - please watch here:

Evening of Celebration & Giving: Seasons

A big thank you to those who were sponsors for our event:  (please also see the tab for the page "Friends of the Ministry" for their logos.

Bubble Sponsors $1000+

Allan & Janet Fast

Anonymous Donor

Bill & Margaret Fast Family Foundation

Blue Jay Family Works:  Alvin Klassen

Elmer & Jeannette Thiessen

Fast Insurance:  Ryan Martens

Friends Funeral Service:  Harry Froese

Lucy L. Funk

Michael & Ashley Thiessen

Phoebe & Steve Robinson

Red's Tree Co:  Joshua & Leah Klassen

World of Water:  Leanne & Rory Bochinski

Friends of the Well Sponsors: $500 +

Anonymous Donor

Betty & Tony deVlaming

Fast Covers: Neil & Lois Fast

Marietta Holdings:  Marietta Rewucki

Three 6 Tea:  Michelle Bloom

Waldy & Wanda Derksen

This fundraiser was full of surprise - and it is our "season to dance" as we reflect on the event.

We are grateful to all who sponsored, watched and to all who donated!

Thank you from the bottom of our overflowing hearts!

Grateful,

Ashley Thiessen, Janet Fast, Leah Klassen, Phoebe Robinson and Joy Klassen (me)

You are invited ....

 

We are excited to announce our fundraising event which will take place via YouTube on March 10, 2022.  Last year, our event was a great success thanks to the generosity of friends and family who loved on the ministry in such a tangible way.  

Email us at womenrefreshed@gmail.com for more info, or to purchase your ticket.

The fundraising event will be no longer than an hour in length.  

Being that it is a YouTube means that if you can not watch it on the day of, you can watch it in the days to follow,

 and if you need to start/stop, then you can do that too.  

We are excited about our theme:  Seasons

We will take you through the "seasons of life within the ministry"

 via conversations/testimonials/pictures.

The ticket for the event includes a large TAKE HOME PIZZA KIT from Mona Lisa Restaurante which we used last year.  The feed back was good.  The pizza was great!  So we are doing this again.  Pizza kits will be delivered to you the day before the event, so that you can make the pizza and watch the link along with us.

You will be receipted for the amount over the cost of the pizza ($80 will be receipted)

If you are a business or an individual that would like to come alongside of us as a sponsor ~ we would love to hear from you about this too!

There are a couple options we can offer you.

So, mark your calendar - and let us know how many tickets you may want.

It will be a good Evening of Celebration & Giving

Hope you will join us!

Open again

                                 

We are now open again and hosting retreaters.  Some things have not changed - but some things have, and we know that people are glad to be able to come, retreat and have some silent time to "just be" ...

We are holding things loosely, and paying attention to how things change within our province of Manitoba.  We have good reference people that we can go to for advice.  We book with the understanding that we may have to cancel a booking on short notice.  We appreciate the understanding in this area as far as our restrictions we have chosen to put into place (see tab above for more info)

Ultimately we are looking to host in the best way that keeps everyone safe.  We welcome your email to us for more information, or to inquire about booking.   Currently we are booking into the new year, Feb and beyond.  

For more info - email Joy     womenrefreshed@gmail.com

Reopening and the decision to make some restrictions for the ministry

This is to let you know that we will be reopening in September 

and look forward to having you back with us.

We are trying to figure out the best thing for everyone and realize that is tough to do.

Some are anxious about coming if other people are not vaccinated.

Some people want to come and are very openly against vaccines.

Some people are wanting to book and tell us right away that they are double vaccinated.

Some will continue to wear a mask regardless of what restrictions say.

Some others are glad to kiss the mask good-bye.

This is a tough time 

and I will be honest

it is a time that is hard for people

 to be open

 to listen 

and to not judge.  

I am sure we can all agree with that.

Reopening will be with some restrictions that we have chosen to put into place:

and we are reopening at a limited capacity of 3 rooms at any given time.  

So, unfortunately this means currently we are not taking groups.

We are asking people to continue to wear masks inside of the house

 when you are out of your room

except to take them off during meals

This is not optional, but mandatory if you retreat here at this time.

We know that things may change as we head into fall and we the 

above decisions will be reviewed month to month.

Thank you for your understanding in this area!  

Currently, we are booking into the last half of November

Restrictions eased however unfortunately we are still closed

 

We know that Covid has been hard - and this past year

 has been a challenge in many ways.  

We know that many of you would like to book in for a retreat.

Thank you for your phone calls and emails.  

For your notes of encouragment and your financial support.

Manitoba eased some restrictions today,

 however we are still closed.

Our situation here is complex and 

we fall first of all under the restrictions 

for private residences.

We will have to remain closed to hosting retreaters 

until such time as we can entertain/host people inside our home, 

for more than "essential" reasons ie washrooms.

Once we are able to reopen - we will post that information here

and on facebook, and instagram.  

Until then, it is our hope that you will be able to find a place 

where you can breathe deeply and be still.  

regarding the garden & prayer path: 

Under the current restrictions - 

we are allowed to have up to 10 people in our yard.

If you would like to come and walk our garden, that would be fine.

but Please call first to see what time slots are available 

since we have to make sure we ahere to the regulations for outside visits

for more info

please email Joy :  womenrefreshed@gmail.com

or call 204-416-3531 but make sure to leave a message

Thank you