.png)
HAPPENING
Happening #60 will be this weekend, March 17 - 19 at Camp Beckwith
"Sinking Deep"
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. - 2 Samuel 22:17
We ask for your prayers for all our Happening Candidates and Staff.
Rector: Libby Hart
Happening Coordinator: Meghan Johnson - email Meghan
Spiritual Director: Rev. Mary Alice Mathison - email Mary Alice
Steering Committee Chair: Rev. Deacon Rachel Iversen - email Rachel
The next Happening #61 will be September 8-10, 2023, location to be determined.
Upcoming deadlines for Happening #61
March 20
Happening #61 Candidate Interest Form Link (Open to 10th, 11th, & 12th graders): COMPLETE THIS FORM
March 20
Happening #61 Application for Team: COMPLETE THIS FORM
April 10
Deadline for Rector for Happening #61: COMPLETE THIS FORM
What to Pack:
Happening takes place at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope, AL. Candidates (including seasoned saints) and team members sleep in air-conditioned cabins.
Packing List:
-
Bedding (twin sheets, pillow, blanket, etc.)
-
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
-
Weather-appropriate clothing (for two days - and maybe an extra pair.
-
Rain jacket or poncho (this is the south after all)
About Happening
Happening is a weekend renewal retreat led by youth for youth. 10-12th graders are invited to attend any of our two annual Happenings, and we invite 9th graders to join us for our Spring Happening. High school students put together an incredibly moving weekend filled with learning, sharing, and building relationships. Through videos, skits, talks, and more, candidates see how God and their faith fit in with the ups and downs of high school life. Happening is designed to help youth feel the love of God and their Christian community. We hope, at the end of the weekend, everyone goes home knowing how to continue growing a relationship with God and having a group of fellow believers to rely on. It's a weekend full of fun, games, sharing, surprises, and most of all, spiritual renewal and empowerment.
Happening weekends begin on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. - candidates may arrive at 7:00 p.m. Whenever possible, candidates should not drive themselves to Happening. Once they check in, our adult team members will take their cell phones and any medicine and keys (if applicable). After the registration deadline is closed, parents will receive an email with contact numbers in case of emergencies. Candidates will jump right into the retreat after arriving Friday night, and we will grow together as a community until around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please note: candidates cannot arrive late or leave early for any reason. If you need to arrive late or leave early, please make plans to attend a different Happening.
Team
Team members must have attended a previous Happening and be actively involved in an Episcopal church or youth group to apply. Once applications have closed, the core team for the weekend will select and assign team members roles for the weekend. Attending the team meeting and the entire Happening weekend (beginning at 12pm on Friday) are requirements for serving on team.
Candidates
All 10th - 12th graders of any faith are welcome to attend a Happening weekend. Additionally, 9th graders are welcome to attend the spring Happening weekend. You will need email addresses for your priest, youth leader, parents, and sponsor (see more info below). The registration fee for the weekend is $75.
Each candidate should have a sponsor who will coordinate transportation, surprises, and more. Anyone who has previously been through Happening can serve as a sponsor. If you'd like to attend Happening but don't know anyone who can sponsor you, please reach out to our Happening Coordinator (contact information below). If you need financial assistance or need help finding a sponsor, please contact the Happening Coordinator or the Diocesan Happening Steering Committee Chair.
Adults who are actively involved in youth ministry in the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast or who have children actively involved in our Happening movement may attend Happening as seasoned saints. Seasoned Saints will be placed in an adults-only small group so the discussions are relevant and appropriate. Other than that, they'll experience Happening right beside the candidates! Because we keep adults together in a small group, we must have enough adult participants to form that group in order to allow adults to participate. If for some reason we cannot make a Seasoned Saints group, you'll be notified soon after registration closes.
Happening Leadership
Happening in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is a ministry led by the Happening Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is a group of youth and adults who meet quarterly to prayerfully lead and guide Happening into the future. Past Happeners of any age are encouraged to apply and help keep Happening a thriving ministry in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
Happening Steering Committee:
The Rev. Mary Alice Mathison, Spiritual Director
The Rev. Rachel Iversen, Deacon, Happening Steering Committee Chair
The Rt. Rev. George Young (retired bishop), Member
Carmen Kimmons, Registrar
Happening Coordinator: Meghan Johnson
Lay Rector: Libby Hart
Head Gopher:
Russell Kendrick, Bishop
Happening Steering Committee Applications are now available:
Happening Steering Committee Applications are now available. Please click here to fill out an application if you are interested in serving on the committee. Applicants should have served on at least one team and be a Sophomore or above in high school. Applications are due May 1st.
Happening #61 Rector Applications can be found here.
Students should prayerfully consider their applications and should have served on at least two teams prior to applying. Applications are due on May 1st before 6:00 P.M.