Need refreshing? Time out?
Join Us for a Refreshing Day!
Refreshing Days [Workshops] are sacred spaces for women to pause, contemplate, and journey with Yeshua—
the Refresher of our soul.
Each workshop is prayerfully prepared to offer rest, renewal,
and quiet transformation.
Who it’s for
A small group of women—from various networks or Christian leadership teams,
are invited to come aside for a day, usually 9:45am to 4pm.
These days are for those hand-picked by Holy Spirit to receive rest,
renewal, and quiet encounter.
Participant numbers have ranged from five through 12, excluding facilitator, which included
new participants plus a number who have returned, some more than twice.
Most have been in the mature 40-plus age group, but it was very encouraging
to have younger women recognising this important discipline.
What to Expect
The Day
- Spirit-led themes and inspirational talks
- Personal reflection and guided questionnaires
- ‘Soaking’ in Yeshua’s Presence
- Communion
- Creative expression (materials provided or bring your own)
- For the workshop to run from 9:45am to 4pm
- Silence
- Voluntary group interaction and activities
- Refreshments provided (BYO lunch for quiet contemplation)
Refreshing Days can be adapted for Christian leadership retreats. A visiting facilitator allows the whole team to receive, reflect, and be renewed together. Topics may be tailored to your group’s season or need.
The Venue
Hosted in a warm, quiet, and restful environment with adequate grounds and parking.
The space includes:
- A reflective display area
- A large table for creative expression
- A hostess to oversee refreshments, comfort, and support
“From 2022-24 I was privileged to have a special lady offer her beautiful home and garden
to host the first five Workshops in Hamilton. This reduced my preparation time
and energy, especially for display setup and flow.” Barbara
Registration & Resources
- Moderate fee toward workshop costs [Check latest brochure, below]
- Financial sponsorship available and welcome
- Barbara’s publications available for purchase via internet banking or cash
The Team
Facilitator
“I trust Him to bring those who are needing to come; and am encouraged by the way He encounters each individual
—knowing the journey will continue long after.”
Barbara Harry brings a background in nursing and pastoral care, and a deep desire to encourage others to meet with Yeshua—Jesus, the Healer and Restorer of our soul. The vision for Refreshing Days was birthed from her own journey through burnout and betrayal, and has grown into a ministry of rest and renewal.
Over the past 27 years, Barbara has facilitated numerous women’s workshops in Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton—including her latest in November 2025. Each workshop theme is prayerfully prepared over several months, trusting Holy Spirit to hand-pick those who are needing to come. She is continually encouraged by the way He encounters each individual,
knowing the journey will continue
long after the day ends.
Barbara currently facilitates each Refreshing Day and is preparing a trainer’s manual to help reproduce this dream in the future,
equipping others to carry the invitation forward.
Co-Facilitator
Hi, my name is Joy Hillary. I have, over the years, listened to many heart felt stories
as I have run my own heart healing
and spiritual health retreats.
I am a long term support for close friends, Tania and Clinton Hawkes, assisting them
in prayer and practical assistance in running Stepping Stone Ministries in Omanawa.
I am passionate to see Disciple-
making Movement across New
Zealand for the reaping of the end-time harvest.
It is a pleasure for me to be
able to to come along side Barbara
to assist her in her
Refreshment Ministry.
Joy Hillary.
Join us
Ready to Pause and Be Refreshed?
If you feel led to attend a Refreshing
Day, please contact Barbara.
Ready to Host a Refreshing Day?
If you feel led to host a Refreshing Day,
please contact Barbara.
Refreshing Day Workshop Gallery
2025
HEART MATTERS, Ngaruawahia, November 2025
A contemplation on the physical, emotional and spiritual heart, with an invitation to allow
Jesus/Yeshua free access to heal our deepest wound.
*Such a stunning setting. The gift of space to pause & meet with God, with the gentle leading of the teaching material. [Cassandra]
* It was beautiful, rich, uplifting, healing. [Linda]
* For me it was the most meaningful one-day retreat I have been on … I was intrigued by all you said about the heart. [Christine]
BESIDE STILL WATERS –
February 2025
A contemplation on Psalm 23, deepening our understanding of Yeshua as the
Shepherd of our soul.
*I loved the beauty, opportunity to draw aside from the busy & meet with God. [Cassandra]
2024
WAITING – May 2024
Contemplating waiting, hiddenness and transformation in life through the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly, particularly the chrysalis phase.
*I appreciated having the opportunity to come aside & wait. Lovely to be in
such beautiful surroundings – thanks Catherine. [Karen]
BESIDE STILL WATERS – July 2024
Reflecting on quiet places in life’s turmoil through Psalm 23.
*Thank you for an amazing day. It was just what I needed. [Vikki]
*A huge thank you for a truly special day. I loved how you dressed up the room & the communion table & all these touches enhanced the experience. It was a wonderful experience. [Glenda]
A GARDEN ENCLOSED –
September 2024
A reflection on the garden of our heart through the Song of Songs in the Passion Translation-
a special time aside with Yeshua, the Lover of our soul /Bridegroom King.
*Connections; fellowship; good balance between silence/creative/sharing. [Joy]
*I appreciated the time out to have a God focus in fellowship with others. [Dawn]
*I felt safe, welcome and accepted for who I am with all my faults and flaws, in a non-judgmental environment. I felt I could just rest, and be me ... A delight and fascination for me, Barbara, was to watch YOU, and listen to your words and watch your actions. For you to make yourself vulnerable by showing who you are in the way you organised the room with such care and creativity, … and by watching how your obvious love and passion for our Jeshua radiates from you in everything you do … in itself was inspirational and a reflection of what you were inviting us to emulate and enter into. So for me … you modelled what that could be like … [S]
2023
HEART MATTERS – August 2023
Taking time to focus on our heart through a Biblical lens – including relational, emotional and guardian issues. Participants were invited to take a key and symbolically surrender this to ABBA God as the
key of their heart.
*The alone times with the Lord using the guide sheet. [Rhonda]
*Such an incredible day. You facilitate this day so well. [Anna]
LIVING STONES – April 2023
Linked to the Priest’s breastplate and the Throneroom in Heaven.
This Workshop was facilitated as a ‘seed’ for 12 women from the same prayer group Barbara attended, being the first Day since her returning to Hamilton.