Reflections on our weekend away

Reflections on our weekend away—Cornerstone Anglican Church Box Hill

Romy, recently you went along to the church weekend away with many others from Cornerstone. Can you tell us where you went, what you did, and what the purpose of it was?

Absolutely! We sure did—we went away to the CRU site at Lake Macquarie. Over the weekend, we had two sessions each day where our guest speakers opened God’s word and ran some really helpful and insightful workshops. It was a great time of learning and growing together. Outside of the sessions, we had heaps of fun just spending time in fellowship—playing wide games, doing trivia, and just hanging out and getting to know one another more deeply as a church family. The heart behind the weekend was all about mission. We spent time looking at what God’s word says about being sent out into the harvest field and preparing ourselves to do that well. It was such an encouraging time, both spiritually and relationally.

What was the topic on this year, and what was something that you learnt?

The topic this year was ‘Sent’, and it was all about what God has to say about being sent out on mission for Him and sharing the gospel with those around us. One of the big things we learnt was that the gospel grows the church, and the church, in turn, grows up and bears fruit into the world by spreading that same gospel. It was a powerful reminder that just as God sent Jesus into the world, we too are sent to share the good news.

How were you encouraged by the weekend away?

I was really encouraged by seeing people chatting and praying with one another outside of the sessions—just genuinely moved by what they were learning and the convictions that were coming from God’s word. It was such a beautiful picture of the church family encouraging and spurring one another on in response to what we were hearing. It reminded me that God’s word is powerful and active.

How were you challenged by the weekend away?

I was really challenged by the reminder that there are so many people around us who still don’t know the gospel. It’s easy to get comfortable, but being on mission isn’t meant to be convenient—it’s meant to cost us something. I was confronted with the truth that sharing the good news will often mean stepping out of my comfort zone, being interrupted, and putting others first. And that’s exactly how it should be—because the message we carry is worth it.