What is Happening?
Happening is a Christian experience organized by teenagers for teenagers (with the help of Episcopal clergy and lay adult leadership). It’s an opportunity for fellowship and fun, for hearing & talking about faith in a safe community, and for strengthening our relationships with Christ and one another.
What can I expect at a Happening weekend?
Throughout the weekend, we participate in lots of fun, sometimes silly activities. We hear short talks from youth about their views on faith and how experiences in their lives have shaped that outlook. We talk in small groups about our own struggles and successes in defining our faith. We worship together, sing together, eat together, and play Frisbee together. It’s a weekend first and foremost about the love that God feels for every single one of us. You can expect to leave Happening with some great new friends and perhaps more hope for what the world could be if we honored Christ’s commandment to love one another.
I don’t go to church and I’m not obsessed with Jesus. Am I going to be uncomfortable at Happening?
Absolutely not. Participants in Happening come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds; they’re church-going and non-church-going, confident about their faith and utterly unsure, vocal and unable to put what they feel into words. Happening is NOT about convincing people that they should believe or do certain things. It’s about creating a loving youth community where it’s safe to talk about the doubts and uncertainties that we all grapple with when thinking about faith and when dealing with life in general. As long as you’re open to those sorts of conversations, you’re not going to feel pressured or uncomfortable on the weekend. And no, you definitely don’t need to be an Episcopalian.
When is the next Happening weekend in Massachusetts?
The next weekend is September 21st to September 23rd. The retreat begins at 6 pm on Friday and continues until Sunday afternoon; family and friends are all invited to join us for the closing Eucharist and celebration at 3 pm on Sunday.
Where is the weekend?
The weekend will be held at The Cathedral Camp, located at:
167 Middleboro Road (Route 18)
East Freetown, MA 02717
You can find directions at its website, www.cathedralcamp.org. It’s a conference center with real beds, so no need to bring a sleeping bag or pillow!
How much does the weekend cost?
The cost of the weekend is $110. We have limited scholarship money available; if you would like to go on the weekend but can’t pay the whole cost, email Shaylin Walsh, Co-Diocesan Director, at shaylin_walsh@yahoo.com.
So what do I need to do to sign myself up?
Just fill out an application (available online at www.masshappening.org) and mail it in with your deposit. We can’t wait to see you on the 21st!