Happening #97 will be held at Honey Creek September 16-18, 2016, and is open to those in grades 10 – 12.
During a Happening weekend, participants worship, play, sing, and talk about God’s place in their lives. They make new friends who share similar concerns and questions – a reassuring discovery. A teenager who acts as “rector” leads the weekend with the help of a staff consisting mostly of young people. Some staff members give challenging talks, after which there’s time for discussion and activity. Together, the staff and participants share in an exploration of the impact of Christian faith in their daily lives. Happeners who attend a weekend for their first time are called “Candidates.” To be a Candidate, one must:
- Have completed the 9th grade and have not begun college.
- Fill out the application:
Happening costs $101 to attend, and financial assistance is available. For more information, please visit the Diocese of Georgia Happening website.
Happening #97 Rector: Ashley Walker
The Acolyte & Youth Leadership Festival (AYLF) will take place August 13-14 at St. Thomas Isle of Hope, Savannah. The Festival is open to 3rd through 12th graders. During the Acolyte Festival, participants will enjoy an Acolyte Olympics and can also expect to participate in acolyting and church leadership workshops facilitated by experienced practitioners; to meet other young acolytes and church leaders from across the diocese; to learn about other liturgical practices; to share their own church experience; and to have fun!
New Beginnings is a weekend retreat for teenagers in grades 7-9 led by a team of mostly teenagers, with a few adults, and two clergy spiritual directors. We are now taking applications for team members or NB #49, December 2-4, 2016 at Honey Creek. You are encouraged to apply with friends from your church and to bring an adult who will stay through the weekend. Team is open to all who have been to Happening or NB. Applying doesn’t guarantee a spot on Team. All team members must attend the staff lock-in at St. Anne’s in Tifton, 12 noon October 29 through worship Sunday.
The 2016 Hometown Missions Youth Event was a great success! For the second year running this mission-oriented event was hosted simultaneously in two separate convocations, spreading our service throughout the state.
Thanks to all the kids, adults, and to the community of St. Andrew’s and St. Cyprian’s for their support, for providing delicious meals, and for planning water games for a hot afternoon!
Fifty participants and team members came together for New Beginnings #48 this past weekend. The weekend offers a time for participants to get real about their faith while away from family and their home church. Teens talking to other teens about living out their faith in Jesus Christ is the heart of a New Beginnings Retreat. While the Spiritual Directors do give talks on “God is Love” and “Who is Jesus” most of the teaching at the retreat for 7-9 graders are given by high school students. The talks on friends, family, peer pressure, and more get at the intersection of faith and our daily lives. The key points of the talk are the same for every weekend, but the teens work with the spiritual directors to shape the talks to bring out life experience and to make the talks more meaningful for all. Nick White of Christ the King, Valdosta, gives his talk in the photo above.
Allie Simpson of St. Andrew’s and St. Cyprian’s Churches in Darien was the Lead Teen for the weekend and she had especially strong support from adults in her church who served as adult participants for the weekend. Under the guidance of diocesan coordinator Maggie Bloodworth, the New Beginnings program continues to thrive. Look for announcements about the next retreat in upcoming issues of From the Field.
