Summer Nights 2021 Theme
"that they may all be ONE. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
(JOHN 17:21)
(JOHN 17:21)
There is ONE body and ONE Spirit, just as you were called to the ONE hope of your calling, ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.. (EPH 4:4-6)
For nearly a year, separated from friends and family, many of us have experienced the pain of being "one" - One in front of a computer screen, one staying home alone and one trying to make sense of everything around us. Plagued by doubt, fear and loneliness, we wonder, am I the only one who feels like this?
There is a different kind of oneness that God calls us to. One where we belong, where we are never alone and where we give each other hope because, no matter what, we know that God is with us, now and forever. In the midst of the chaos that has been 2020, God calls out to us, "come and find rest". And we can truly say in response, "we, who are many, are one body in Jesus, and we belong to each other" (Romans 12:5). Now is the time to come together and claim who we truly are - brothers and sisters, not strangers. Sons and daughters, not orphans. And we each have a future full of hope that we share.
"that they may all be ONE. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings of people, it is not possible to run our regular Summer Schools of Evangelisation across the nation in 2021. Some states are better placed than others (such as Western Australia), but the Eastern States have had to cancel Summer School as we know it for 2021. This presents us with an opportunity to adapt the traditional Summer School experience to meet the challenges of living in a pandemic.
We believe that God still wants us to encounter His love and know the wonderful plan He has for our lives, no matter what circumstances we are enduring. And we can still offer a Summer School style encounter respecting existing restrictions in place for places of worship and outdoor gatherings, with the safety of all as a priority - We call this Summer Nights 21.
What is it?
Summer Nights is a 3-day non live-in retreat experience capturing the essence of the Disciples of Jesus Summer Schools for ages
16-35 years.
The program will be facilitated each day from 3-9pm, running twice consecutively over the period of 11 – 16 January as follows:
Option #1
Monday 11 - Wednesday 13
January 2021
(3pm-9pm)
Option #2
Thursday 14 - Saturday 16
January
2021
(3pm-9pm)
Accommodation
There is limited accommodation available at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, located on the same grounds.
Highlights
-
Excellent quality talks and teaching
-
Night sessions with praise and worship, drama, preaching, testimonies and prayer ministry
-
Opportunities for communal and personal prayer
-
Dinner (pre-catered Covid-safe food packs)
Journey With Others
Journey with others for the 3 days, forming a unique faith community, bonded by a common vision to seek God during Summer Nights. Share and support each other through allocated small group time each day with those of similar ages. Build new friendships and discover the vibrant youth and young adults in our Catholic Church.
Register today
Spaces are extremely limited. Secure yours today.
Martin
High school teacher & REC
The Summer Schools of Evangelisation run by the Disciples of Jesus Community are truly amazing experiences to be a part of. They engage, uplift and equip people to 'make disciples of all nations'. They've certainly helped me to know, worship and love God. I highly recommend them.
Stephen
I only went to one and it changed my life. Before SSE my faith was almost irrelevant to me... But good people, great fun, and some serious moments of encounter with God changed my whole perspective and suddenly Jesus was part of my life again... and the best part of my life. All thanks to the SSE experience.
Meg
Acting student
Summer schools are my favouite way to start off the year! It's a whole week to hang out with incredible people, make new friends, eat delicious food and learn more about God and grow in your faith! I've been to 8 now and each one always seems to be completely different I would recommend it to anyone the week will change your life!
Pete
Evangelisation Coordinator, Diocese of Wollongong
One of the great things about Summer School is that the mix of formation, prayer, Sacraments and sense of community allows for an amazing retreat experience unlike any other. There is a sense of purpose to each and every day and I know that I come out the other side changed for the better. I highly recommmend SSE!
Summer Nights is run by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, a group of people who together attempt to live the Christian life under the grace of renewal of the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5,8).
The Disciples of Jesus is a Catholic Community with branches throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines and Indonesia. It is comprised of families, single people, priests and consecrated men and women.
The Disciples of Jesus Community is a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Covenant Communities whose statutes were recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in Rome in 1993. The Community is approved as a Private Association of Christ’s Faithful within the Catholic Church.
The School of Evangelisation comes under the direction of Fr Ken Barker, a member of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community and the Missionaries of God’s Love.
*Photos from Light to the Nations Easter Youth Pilgrimage 2017, another event organised by the Disciples of Jesus
Contact Us
Summer Nights contact details