Happening & El Camino
Happening
Happening
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. The presentation of key talks by youth using personal life experiences is intended to offer Christ's message to attending Happeners on a level they can understand and to answer many of the faith questions youth struggle with daily. Talks about church teachings and their importance in the lives of youth attending the weekend are presented by clergy in a fair and friendly manner. 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.
Still have questions? Check out our Happening fact sheet!
Already attended a Happening weekend? Read So You've Happened... Now What? to learn how you can stay engaged!
El Camino
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 for high school students who have already "Happened." It's designed in collaboration with Happeners and intended to build on the teachings of the Happening weekend. Participants will assist with the behind-the-scenes service of Happening as well as dig deeper into the topics discussed in the Happening Talks through personal story-sharing.
Over the past several months, 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)
Happening Staff / El Camino Leadership
Two ways Happeners can engage with Happening weekend and continue exploring their faith are serving on Weekend Staff or El Camino Leadership or attending El Camino as a participant. 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 and El Camino Leadership with the assistance of the Happening Steering Committee.
The El Camino Leadership Team, composed of both youth and adults, will design and implement a program based on the Happening talks and teachings that breathes fresh life into El Camino participants seeking reconnection to the Happening family. The Rector and Big Brother/Big Sister of the Happening immediately preceding upcoming session are invited to participate on this team
Weekend Staff / El Camino Leadership Application
