The days are hot, the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom, and an almost eerie quiet has fallen over the campus. These are some of the telltale signs that exams have begun at Sydney University. But amongst all the nervous energy of students cramming the content they should have learned during semester (I’ve been there…), there’s a glimmer of hope for many EU students since one of the most wonderful times of the year is drawing closer. That’s right, it’s almost time for faculty days away!

What are Faculty days away?

Faculty days away are a highlight of the year for many students, where, after a long year of studying and working hard, students can take a few days together to relax, enjoy one another’s company, and gather under God’s word. Days away are a time for fun, for building relationships, for farewelling graduating students, and for growing together in discipleship.

I loved my time on faculty days away when I was a student in the Design and Engineering faculty, and now I’m preparing for my second round of Design and Engineering days away as a Howie! Last year, we had water fights, dug a giant hole at the beach, raced cars made from paper plates, and explored the book of Habakkuk as we grappled with God’s identity and activity in a fallen world.

This year, all of the EU’s faculty days away will focus on aspects of our Big Kingdom Vision as we set a course toward a vibrant, multi-lingual, growing, giving, serving and sending community by 2030.

This is what some of our faculties are focusing on this year:

The Conservatorium is focusing on Revival in the book of Acts, which is also what the Education faculty did earlier this year. Education’s days away happened earlier this year to account for student placements in Term 4.

EU FOCUS has titled their series “Across the Sea” as they look at Big Kingdom Proclamation through the lens of Jonah.

Both Health and Arts and Social Work are focusing on Big Kingdom Discipleship, with the latter exploring Proverbs as they do so.

And my faculty? Our series is titled “Follow Me: The Call to Discipleship” and we’re exploring what it means to follow Jesus in all of our lives through two key scenes in Matthew’s gospel.

Preparing for Dengo Days Away

So, what’s it like preparing for faculty days away? Great question! That really depends on who you ask, since so many people are involved in the process.

If you’re the average student in a faculty, your preparation involves getting your hopes up as study piles up around you, and then making sure you don’t forget your towel.

If you’re a member of a faculty committee, then you’re studying while also trying to buy water balloons in bulk for a game, planning the music for one of the main sessions, or ordering the all-important stickers so students can adorn their water bottles with proof they attended.

If – like me – you’re a member of staff, then you’re involved in all the aforementioned activities, but you’re also preparing the teaching content for your main sessions. For me, that means I’m working through Matthew 11:25-30 and Matthew 20:20-28, which are deceptively short passages for just how deep and transformative they are for the disciple. I’ve spent weeks getting familiar with the passages, working out what they’re saying, and figuring out how I can communicate their timeless truths to my particular audience.

I think my talk on Matthew 11:25-30 may well be the hardest talk I’ve ever written. In it, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The truth of this isn’t hard to understand in itself, but the more I look, the deeper I get to gaze into Jesus’ heart, and the more I realise how my heart and my life need to change to align themselves with that of my Lord Jesus. It has been a privilege to wrestle with this, and it’s my prayer that the Design and Engineering students will come away loving Jesus more and looking more like Him as they seek to follow their Saviour in the rest He gives and the humility He shows.

Will you join me in praying for the EU’s Faculty days away as they so rapidly approach? Please pray that students will enjoy their time, for safety in travel and activities, and most of all that God would be at work through His word and His people during these times.

– Alex Norris, Howard Guiness Project (2024-2025)