For those who remember the 'Fill my Cup' women's retreat at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp 2 years ago at you'll remember a wonderful weekend being in the same room with women of all ages, singing together, learning together, laughing together and sharing stories around the table at every meal. Our cups were certainly filled in so many ways!
The women's retreat initiative began when Brandon resident, Michelle Pettinger, felt a calling to bring women of Westman together to a special event where they would be encouraged in their faith walk in our world full of demands and distractions. Her vision was to invite women of all ages, stages in life, and from every denomination to enjoy in the camaraderie of being sisters in Christ in a beautiful setting at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp.
Well, the 2023 women's retreat in its debut did so well, the organizing committee of 'Fill my Cup' have championed a second women's retreat coming up in September.
This second one is themed, 'Joy in the Journey' and will feature Iona Snair from Abbotsford, BC. Snair hails from Brandon and 'Fill my Cup' committee member Betty Anne MacDonald is all too pleased to have her childhood friend return to Westman as keynote speaker at the September retreat. The two met through their local youth group in the McDiarmid Alliance Church in Brandon, and their friendship continues to this day as travels back and forth between Manitoba and BC further strengthen the bond.
"Iona is a very good friend of mine," shares MacDonald. "There was a group of us that were really good friends right from junior high school. I have a lot of confidence in Iona and her ability to communicate with everybody. I know every time that I'm together with her, I walk away being really encouraged in my faith. She's just a real bright light and has been in ministry with Youth Unlimited for many years. They have a small College in Abbotsford and it's primarily to train young people to work with inner city youth."
MacDonald says Iona is in a unique time in her life where she is that 'sandwich generation' when you're helping your adult children find their feet and at the same time taking care of aging parents. Both roles are not easy by any means, never mind being fully immersed in a ministry for inner city youth.
"I would just say she's going to be talking about joy in the journey. And I think all of us, we have so many different transitions in our lives. And I know for Iona right now, she's got her parents who have moved in with her family," she explains. "Last summer I was visiting her and they they've made a beautiful suite for her parents downstairs in their basement. And her parents are almost 90 and you know she's just working through looking after these aging parents."
The theme, 'Joy in the Journey' is not only for those in the parent-care stage of life, but also for the aging parent themselves.
Transitioning into a role of following the direction of your adult children rather than being the leader of the family who made the decision for the entire clan for years and years can be a very difficult mindset to embrace. The loss of independence, the loss of the family home due to physical disabilities, the loss of a strong healthy body and sharp memory are all part of this uncomfortable time in their lives.
This retreat speaks to women in all stages of life; from the young mom to the middle-aged woman with adult children, to the older woman with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Not to mention the women whose roles include being a wife, a widow, a caretaker of a family member who is ill... the list goes on. But there is joy to be found in the journey, no matter where you are in life.
"Iona understands the patience that we need for at that stage when we're looking after our parents and just trying to just make those last years of their life really meaningful," shares MacDonald. "Iona just has a lot of patience for her parents and a lot of love and I think what she's going through will tie in a lot with the whole topic of joy and how we can have joy in all these different aspects of our life and different stages and transitions."
"So, she's got a real variety of experiences from her life and just has a real encouraging way about her. So, I think it'll be a real highlight of the retreat, for sure," she adds.
MacDonald says they're still accepting registration for the September 20-21 retreat. She notes this year they will focus on Friday evening and Saturday, making it a one-night stay. She says they hoped more women could participate if it was a bit shorter than the full weekend. But even in that, she encourages women to register even if they're coming by themselves, as many are. Friendships were started at last year's retreat and there are more friendships to be made.
"Yeah, I think everybody needs encouragement in their life and in their faith and in the relationship with God. And I think just to find that there are many other women who also want that, and I think a lot of the growth happens at the retreat. It's not just from the speaker or even from the music but sometimes it's just from the people you're rubbing shoulders with around the table ... people of different ages, with different experiences in life and just even how they've handled different situations. I think those conversations are really encouraging for people," she adds. "I'm really looking forward to it!"
Please listen to more with Betty Anne MacDonald below!
Your official invite!
Ladies, mark your calendars! You’re invited to our Women's Ministry Retreat, "Joy in the Journey," on September 20 & 21, 2025, at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp in Boissevain, MB.
This will be a wonderful time to connect, grow, and be refreshed in a peaceful setting with inspiring messages from our guest speakers, Iona Snair (Abbotsford, BC) and music worship leader, Lindsay Metruk (Brandon, MB).
This retreat is for women 18 or older – nursing babies are welcome! Don’t miss this opportunity for a fun, faith-filled, and relaxing getaway!
Multiple activities will be available such as canoeing, hiking, pickle-ball and ... horse-back riding (to be pre-registered).
Register HERE!
Registration cost:
$150 for both days | $100 for one day
Registration deadline:
September 1, 2025 (No refunds after this date)
Registration Details: HERE!