Brandon resident, Judy Campbell is excited to be attending the women's retreat coming up September 20th at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp, this being the second in the Fill my Cup series.
Joy in the Journey ~ Turtle Mountain Bible Camp ~ September 20-21
Saturday, September 20:
- 9:30-10:30 am - Registration
- 10:30 - Session #1
- 12:30 - Lunch
- 1:30-5 pm - Outdoor / indoor activities
- 5:30 pm - Supper
- 7:00 pm - Session #3
- 8:30 pm - Campfire / indoor games / movie n' snacks in Chapel
Sunday, September 21:
- 7:30 am - Coffee!
- 7:45 - Exercises for those who wish to participate
- 8:00 - Breakfast
- 10:00 - Session #3
- 12:30 - Lunch
- 1:30-3:00 - Clean cabins, leisure time, outdoor activities
- 3:00 pm - Check out
The Fill my Cup women's retreat of 2023 brough 150 women together from across Manitoba to listen, learn and laugh together at this beautiful camp nestled in the Turtle Mountains.
Looking back at that retreat Judy Campbell says she remembers the coming together of women from many walks of life, and from the different denominations, who may have been strangers when they arrived but soon became friends. The weekend was a time of refreshing for all who attended.
"I think as women, we all get so busy and we're always giving to other people, always. And whether it's family, church, job, friends... and from the moment you got there, you were greeted. There were people excited to see you! Everything was in place. You felt like they were anticipating your visit - which they were," she adds with a laugh. "But made it extra special by every little touch that they had."
"So, from the moment you walked in, you felt very welcomed and comfortable. And that's sometimes when it's difficult for people to walk into a situation where they don't know what they're walking into or who's going to be there if they'll know anyone, it just was so welcoming that it you it didn't really seem to matter if you came with a group or if you would have come with one other person, or even by yourself, you felt like you were invited into a whole sisterhood."
This is a time to rest and relax ... a place to breathe and be blessed
Campbell says it's important for women to come together to worship together, learn together, to spend time in this kind of a setting where they're away from some of the nagging worries of daily life. Women need encouragement and this was a place and time to receive that, but also to give that encouragements.
"I think as women generally, we're being pulled from so many different directions, whether it's work, whether it's family, whether it's friendships, whether it's church, that there's very little time left for just yourself, just to relax and refresh. And this wasn't about the deep preaching, which was great - like it's great to get into the Word and to learn. But it was more about the chance to breathe and be real and meet with other people that might be going through something that you might be able to relate to."
"At that time, I was caring for aging parents with dementia and there were a few people I knew, but I haven't seen for years that were going through the same thing and just being able to sit and share and not have to put on another face of caring for somebody. And that was just so valuable."
"And I'm not saying that in a selfish way," she's quick to add. "I'm saying that if you're not taking care of yourself every once in a while, there's nothing to pour back into yourself or into others. These women were pouring into you and in every way from sitting at the table, the moment you walked in, you know, everything feeling like somebody was praying over and anticipating your visit and it was just a very cool feeling. But you were able to come as you were."
"I expect that is what we're going to see and feel when we come to the Joy in the Journey Retreat on September 20th and 21st.
This year's theme: Joy in the Journey
This year's weekend retreat is set up to start Saturday morning with presentations and activities taking place right up until Sunday afternoon. The committee decided to change the format to better accommodate those who are travelling as distance, or working a full day on Friday. A Saturday start to the retreat is more user-friendly!
Women are welcome to come for the entire retreat, or to come and join when they can get in any of the sessions with Iona Snare, guest speaker from Abbottsford, BC sharing on the theme of this year's retreat, Joy in the Journey.
Please listen to more with Judy Campbell below!
To register for the Joy in the Journey women's retreat, visit the McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church website HERE!