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Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
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Happening & El Camino

Happening is a Christian experience presented by teenagers, for teenagers (with the help of clergy and lay adult leaders). The Happening program is meant to be one of the instruments within the Anglican Tradition of renewing the Christian church in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that the church may more readily respond to its call to spread the Kingdom of God throughout the world. It seeks to achieve this purpose by bringing young persons and adults to fuller personal knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship.

Throughout the weekend, a series of talks are delivered by youth and clergy to logically present the elements that define the catechism process and a mature profession of faith. Each talk is a critical building block in the creation of the Happening message. The entire series of talks is given in a sequence that is intended to guide Happeners by opening an avenue of discussions to help them verbalize and internalize their faith questions in a safe environment, hopefully leading to a new or renewed relationship with Christ.

Upcoming Happening Weekend

Happening #89

Happening #89

17Nov
Friday, Nov 17, 2023, 5:30 PM
For information about the Happening program, click here . Lay Rector: Smith T. (St. John's, Columbia) Big Sibling: Maggie Mallette (St. John's, Columbia) Staff Application Candidate Registration coming soon. Candidate Registration clos...
Details

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who should attend Happening?

High schoolers in grades 10-12 who are prepared to explore their faith more deeply alongside their peers. Candidates must have the support of their clergy, a sponsor, their parent(s) or guardian(s), and their youth minister, if applicable.


What does a "Sponsor" do?

The sponsor helps to coordinate the entire process of their Candidate's attendance at Happening. Sponsor responsibilities include: helping with the Candidate's transportation arrangements to and from the Bishop Gravatt Center, communicating with the Candidate's parents, priest, and other persons about writing Caritas and attending the closing liturgy on Sunday afternoon, and continual prayers for the Candidates and staff. Sponsorship of a candidate is not just a signature on a line, but a serious commitment; the sponsor is pledging to support the spiritual growth of their candidate. Sponsors can be adults or youth.


Are scholarships available?

Yes, there is a Happening scholarship fund. We ask that you first attempt to get funding through your family and/or local church. Your priest is the best place to start when seeking local funding. Once you have exhausted these sources and you still need money to meet the registration cost, contact the Missioner for Christian Formation to arrange for scholarship assistance. As with all youth events in the diocese the basic policy for scholarship assistance is that the person or their family contributes 1/3, their congregation contributes 1/3, and the diocese also 1/3. Other arrangements are possible as no person should be kept from attending youth programs due to financial difficulties.


I've already "Happened"; can I "Happen" again?

No; The Happening Experience is meant to foster an environment of fellowship and faith exploration for first-time attendees (aka Candidates). Once you've participated as a Candidate, you must apply for Weekend Staff to return to Happening.

Once you’ve “Happened,” there are numerous ways to stay involved and continue your faith journey, whether through sponsoring a Candidate, writing Caritas, praying for Candidates before, during, and after the weekend, or representing the larger Happening family by attending the closing.

Another way to engage with the Happening weekend is serving on Weekend Staff (staff roles include Gofors, Small Group Leaders, Musicians, El Camino (formerly “GIC”), Moms/Dads (adults only), and Spiritual Directors (clergy only). The purpose of Happening Staff is to serve the Candidates and create a safe, loving, welcoming environment to have an open and transformative weekend experience. The following are descriptions of each staff role involved in the Happening Weekend experience. The Lay Rector and Big Brother/Big Sister, along with the Observing Lay Rector and Observing Big Brother/Sister, decide selection for Weekend Staff with the assistance of the Happening Steering Committee.

We recognize the importance of raising youth leaders with varying level of pre-existing experience and seek to give mindful consideration to individuals who:

  • have completed the online application by the application deadline
  • offer specific gifts, talents, or skills needed for Weekend Staff (i.e. musicians)
  • strive to practice spiritual discipline and develop a life-giving relationship with God
  • are engaged in the life of their faith community
  • have not yet served on Weekend Staff
  • did not participate on Weekend Staff at the last Happening
  • have staffed less than two Happening weekends in a row

Adult staff applicants must be at least 22 years of age, actively participate in a faith community, have a current Safeguarding certification (within the last 5 years), and agree to a background check.

Gofors

Gofors assist the Rector in managing the flow of the weekend experience. As the name implies, they "go for" needed materials and do so cheerfully.

  • Consider if: you have a knack for project management and organization, you enjoy practical tasks, you take direction well and can complete assignments efficiently.

Small Group Leaders

Small Group Leaders guide the Candidates through the experience more directly by providing helpful insight and pastoral care to the members of their groups.

  • Consider if: you enjoy relationship building, if you’re curious and ask thought-provoking questions, you feel comfortable receiving the difficult experiences group members may share.

Musicians

Musicians provide a contemplative and enriching space for worship by sharing their musical talents. They work together with varying levels of musical experience to "create a joyful noise."

  • Consider if: you play a musical instrument, you understand how music can influence the mood of an experience, you enjoy standing in front of a group performing.

Moms/Dads

Moms and Dads are adult volunteers who offer another layer of pastoral comfort to Candidates and Staff alike. They assist Gofors with acquiring materials, setting up activities, and much more!


Spiritual Directors

Spiritual Directors are clergy persons selected by the rector to offer theological framing to the weekend. Spiritual Directors give a number of talks and assist in various worship capacities.


El Camino

The El Camino program is not currently active, but the Happening Steering Committee hopes to relaunch fall 2022

El Camino (formerly known as Growth in Christ, or “GIC”) is a program that takes place on the Saturday and Sunday concurrent with the Happening weekend. Participants reflect on their Happening experience while supporting the staff and serving the Candidates behind the scenes. El Camino is led by the most recent rector when possible, otherwise leaders will be identified by the current rector and Steering Committee.

Over the past year, the Happening Steering Committee has been engaged in a revisioning process for GIC, now El Camino, and the decision to change the name is rooted in seeking to better translate what the program is to the wider Happening community. The full name, "El Camino: Following the Way of Jesus," explains exactly what “GIC” has always been: an extension of the Happening experience that helps us follow the way of Jesus (because “El Camino” means “the way” in Spanish)

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Children's and Youth Formation Diocesan Youth Leadership Committee Happening & El Camino Adult Volunteer Guidelines Province IV Youth Ministries

Upcoming Events

Cursillo #145
Thursday, Sep 28, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Converge 2023
Saturday, Oct 21, 2023, 11:00 AM
Details »

Happening #89
Friday, Nov 17, 2023, 5:30 PM
Details »

SMASH! 2024
Friday, Jan 12, 2024, 7:00 PM
Details »

Cursillo #146
Thursday, Feb 01, 2024, 5:00 PM
Details »

Vocare #14
Friday, Feb 16, 2024, 5:00 PM
Details »

Happening #90
Friday, Mar 01, 2024, 5:00 PM
Details »

New Beginnings
Friday, Apr 05, 2024, 5:00 PM
Details »

5th Grade Bridge Retreat
Saturday, Apr 27, 2024, 11:00 AM
Details »

Diocesan Calendar

Saturday, 6/17 at 9:30 AM
Diocesan Executive Council - Second Quarter Meeting
Saturday, 6/17 at 1:00 PM
EDUSC Standing Committee - Second Quarter Meeting
Friday, 7/14 at 9:00 AM
Commission on the Diocese Regular Meeting
Saturday, 7/15 at 10:00 AM
Commission on Ministry Regular Meeting
Sunday, 8/27 at 2:00 PM
Piedmont Convocation Meeting
Thursday, 8/31 at 2:00 PM
Diocesan Executive Committee
Saturday, 9/9 at 9:30 AM
Diocesan Executive Council
Saturday, 9/16 at 10:00 AM
Discernment of Call Interviews

Diocesan Executive Council - Second Quarter Meeting

Saturday, June 17, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM



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EDUSC Standing Committee - Second Quarter Meeting

Saturday, June 17, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

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Commission on the Diocese Regular Meeting

Friday, July 14, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM



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Commission on Ministry Regular Meeting

Saturday, July 15, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM



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Piedmont Convocation Meeting

Sunday, August 27, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM



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Diocesan Executive Committee

Thursday, August 31, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM



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Diocesan Executive Council

Saturday, September 9, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM



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Discernment of Call Interviews

Saturday, September 16, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM



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Episcopal Diocese of
Upper South Carolina

1115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tel: (803) 771-7800

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