the junction 2005

The Journey of Jesus

Last weekend The Journey, our student congregation at Royal Holloway uni, went away to stay at the Ichthus prayer house in Forest Hill, South London. Below is a mixture of feedback from The Journey's very first weekend away...

Reflections from our very own Dave Page:

   Have you ever had a relationship with someone coming in the opposite direction on an escalator? You both board not ever having seen each-other but as you slowly glide a bond begins to form. First you catch each-others eye. Twinkling; the momentary pause is awkwardly shrugged off. This is far from the end though, as both parties realize there is little to lose, they will turn back and gaze at each-other. Looking deep into each-others eyes, transfixed by the depths slowly rising towards them. Maybe a smile starts to tug at the girls trembling lips. The boy may respond with a more confident wink or even a nod. They are quite close now and both turn-away for the inevitable, somewhat daunting, crossover in the middle. When this finally arrives, both turn back momentarily before the strange face has passed.

   Although they were once within touching distance they will never see each-other again. Both sigh huge lung fulls of "What might have been," air. Dreams of being arm in arm walking down a beach or laughing hysterically at a private joke together. For the next ten minutes atleast both the girl and the boys minds will wander, day dreaming of paradise with the mysterious love of their life that passed in the opposite direction on the escalator.

   Apologies for the rather long-winded introduction but believe me, it has 'some' (in inverted commas) relevance to the Junction. I personally had come to a point in my fledgling stage of Christianity where I had an intense fear that my relationship with God was no more than one of these 'escalator relationships'. Had I already awkwardly past Christ traveling, knowingly, in the opposite direction? The ironies of course would be endless and I'm sure all of your brains are ticking over them right no. Christmas had been a hard time for my faith. The problems were endless. How could I expect to have the same relationships with people now that I was a Christian. Sometimes therefore, as wrong as it was, I was just the same old Dave to them. Now I've returned to Holloway I've found it hard to get into gear, and this is where the Junction makes a belated arrival.

   The weekend away really got me back on the right track; where I was and where I want to be again. On arrival I realized instantly just how good this was going to be for me; walking into the arms of a tight-knit community of Christians who trusted and knew eachother well. The worship was fantastic, the talks inspirational and the prayer was so meaningful for me and made me realize that my relationship with God was far from an 'escalator relationship'. We were actually both on the same step, traveling in the same direction and traveling to the same destination. I would not have to dream of a life with Christ as I slowly fell away from him. Throughout the weekend I got the impression that God really had dwelled among us.

   Often I feel that God (and the life with Him I desire) lives behind a wall of cling-film (My brain is full of these rather elaborate analogies!). Although I can see His shape moving behind it, hear Him and even feel the warmth and power that resonates from Him; I am not actually with Him there. I can push against the film but it just moves with me. My hands plunge further and further into it but however hard I push it will not tear apart. Just like the cling-film over your lunchbox, you have to really stab at it to get through. I feel the Junction really helped me to do this; to step back and stab through the film to be with God, rather than just pushing aimlessly against the barrier put infront of me. Let the Journey grow and the Junction prosper!

  Finally, on a less deep note, I did ruin Toms version of Brown Eyed Girl with some awful guitar playing, I did see Myles get gunned down while milking a cow and the food was fantastic (Well done Dean the chef!). Thanks to the Journey team and especially Ross for organizing so efficiently such a massively important couple of days for me!

Reflections from RHUL 1st year student Catherine Gray:

   The events of the Junction weekend ranged from the Sublime (Dean’s cooking) to the Ridiculous (Phil’s impersonation of Myles, pants included!) The latter was among the several comedy highlights of Saturday night’s cabaret, which included Mark’s goldfish song (a lament owing to his pet’s 3 second memory-span) and a delightful musical rendition by Myles and Ross apologising for their flirting with ‘the honeyz’.

   For some people, the outcome of just getting to know everybody on a more personal level might have been the best thing to come out of the weekend, while others got a really personal message from things that were said. What was evident by Sunday, to everyone, I think, was that we had all been drawn closer together, and that the weekend marked a real turning point (or junction, you might say!) in our journey with God. Chris Forster said some really inspirational things about what God had done previously and could do in the future at Royal Holloway: I certainly came away with a feeling of such confidence that revival is coming to our university. Several people received words about building foundations, and Diana had a vision a few days later that tied in really closely with what had been said.

   The weekend for me put in perspective how much God has been doing in our lives since the Journey began, and how much more He can do if we continue to seek him. I think we have all come away refreshed both individually and as a community, with a real heart for listening to what Jesus wants to say to us and a renewed passion to spread his name!

Teaching sessions:

The weekend was given the name 'the journey of Jesus' and Chris Forster was invited to come and share on this with The Journey. CLICK HERE to go to the teaching catalogue.

Photo gallery:

Get a flavour from checking out the photos below...