17 Oct 2025, 08:06Priscilla Bhebhe, Cedrene Botha; Edited by SM CommunicationsDunblane, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
Women Gather in Dunblane for a Weekend of Worship and Reflection
A weekend of inspiration, laughter, and spiritual growth unfolded in Dunblane as women from across Scotland attended the “In Her Shoes” retreat, hosted by the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Department.
From the 10th to the 13th of October, women from churches across Scotland gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in Dunblane for a transformative retreat hosted by the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Department. The weekend’s theme, In Her Shoes, invited participants to journey through the lives of remarkable women in Scripture — each one a story of grace, resilience, and divine purpose.
Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Nerine Barrett and Thembi Mapingire, the event was filled with praise, prayer, laughter, and love. Together, attendees explored the lives of Sarah, Hagar, Rahab, Hannah, Ruth, Esther, and the woman Jesus healed of long-term illness, reflecting on their sorrow, strength, and joy. The examples of Hagar and Abigail reminded attendees that God sees those in the wilderness and gives wisdom to guide their households.
The Saturday programme provided a sacred pause for reflection—a time to consider what it truly means to “walk in purpose and stand in grace.” As the theme suggested, participants were challenged to ask: Whose shoes do we walk in and identify with? Each biblical woman’s story became a mirror, helping attendees recognise their own journeys in the footsteps of faith-filled women who came before.
On Sunday afternoon, the retreat concluded with a moving Anointing Service led by Beverley Anderson, Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries Sponsor. Women shared personal testimonies and prayer requests before Pastor Barrett, assisted by Jane Manenji and Claudia Thomas, anointed each attendee with oil — symbolising compassion, reverence, and renewal. It was a powerful moment of healing, surrender, and spiritual restoration.
Throughout the weekend, one truth resonated deeply — every pair of shoes reflects a story of grace rather than perfection, carrying its own marks of struggle, strength, and quiet grace.
With gratitude to the speakers and participants, the organisers reflected: “May the lessons learned continue to shape our walk with Christ and deepen our sisterhood. Let us keep walking in faith, in purpose, and in grace.”
A weekend of inspiration, laughter, and spiritual growth unfolded in Dunblane as women from across Scotland attended the “In Her Shoes” retreat, hosted by the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Department.
From the 10th to the 13th of October, women from churches across Scotland gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in Dunblane for a transformative retreat hosted by the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Department. The weekend’s theme, In Her Shoes, invited participants to journey through the lives of remarkable women in Scripture — each one a story of grace, resilience, and divine purpose.
Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Nerine Barrett and Thembi Mapingire, the event was filled with praise, prayer, laughter, and love. Together, attendees explored the lives of Sarah, Hagar, Rahab, Hannah, Ruth, Esther, and the woman Jesus healed of long-term illness, reflecting on their sorrow, strength, and joy. The examples of Hagar and Abigail reminded attendees that God sees those in the wilderness and gives wisdom to guide their households.
The Saturday programme provided a sacred pause for reflection—a time to consider what it truly means to “walk in purpose and stand in grace.” As the theme suggested, participants were challenged to ask: Whose shoes do we walk in and identify with? Each biblical woman’s story became a mirror, helping attendees recognise their own journeys in the footsteps of faith-filled women who came before.
On Sunday afternoon, the retreat concluded with a moving Anointing Service led by Beverley Anderson, Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries Sponsor. Women shared personal testimonies and prayer requests before Pastor Barrett, assisted by Jane Manenji and Claudia Thomas, anointed each attendee with oil — symbolising compassion, reverence, and renewal. It was a powerful moment of healing, surrender, and spiritual restoration.
Throughout the weekend, one truth resonated deeply — every pair of shoes reflects a story of grace rather than perfection, carrying its own marks of struggle, strength, and quiet grace.
With gratitude to the speakers and participants, the organisers reflected: “May the lessons learned continue to shape our walk with Christ and deepen our sisterhood. Let us keep walking in faith, in purpose, and in grace.”
