RETREAT YOURSELF 2023 was so great! | #RY23
Across the first weekend in February over 50 Young Adults gathered to learn together what it means to be courageous disciples of Jesus Christ.
It was glorious weather that greeted us at Chittick Lodge in Gerringong for PULSE’s annual(ish) Young Adult camp RETREAT YOURSELF 2023 (RY23). A perfect weekend to spend time with friends – old and new – at the beach.
For those who were able to arrive earlier special guests Jo Drayton and Matt Anslow offered some excellent input on a biblical perspective of leadership, before a panel including Moderator Rev Simon Hansford, Rev Ace Kim, Jo Drayton, and PULSE’s own Joyce Tangi engaged in a discussion about their various experiences of leadership, especially within church life. This extra day was really valuable for all who could attend.
The camp doubled in size Friday night as the rest of the crew joined us, and everything kicked off Saturday morning. Through some time of gathered worship led by our Young Adult musicians (special thanks to Gabi and Mikali for their excellent new music), and a raucous simulation game run by Rev Adrian Sukumar-White and Rev Phil Newton, we started to unpack what it means for us to be courageous in our discipleship journey. Precious stories shared by Young Adults across the weekend added to our appreciation of the way God calls us all uniquely yet in community with each other.
There was lots of free time too, which inevitably led to walks on the beach, quality hangs, donuts from the famous Berry Donut Van, and a more-than-reasonable amount of coffee. These important opportunities to grow relationships across the Synod are why gatherings like RY23 are vital to ministry with all young people…it’s a chance to learn from each other and be encouraged by your peers as together we seek to be more like Jesus.
Saturday night was a highlight with worship together, and then a couple of live music sets, the first from Erin and the second from Jonty. On Sunday morning we joined with the Gerringong Uniting Church community for worship and communion, and finished up together just after lunch. Everyone wished our time together could have lasted longer!
PULSE and the RY23 planning team are grateful for the team at Chittick Lodge for the way they looked after us and fed us. We’re looking forward to coming back in 2024 – and we hope even more Young Adults can join us next year too!
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Molk is the Young Adult Ministry Lead and Senior Field Officer (North) within the PULSE team.
