What is Happening?
What is Happening?
Happening is a Christian experience presented by teenagers for teenagers. It is designed for youth in grades 10 – 12 and sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Most young people have serious questions about Jesus and the Church. Happening is designed to address these questions. During a Happening weekend, participants experience the love of Christ as shown through prayer, worship, and the ministry of peers, clergy, and lay adults. The Happeners are encouraged to make their renewed faith a part of their everyday lives. Happening shows how Christianity can keep pace with the many changes in our lives and our world.
Two weekends are held each year at
the Diocese of Georgia Episcopal
Conference Center, Honey Creek in
Waverly, Georgia. A steering
committee made up of youth and
adults from each convocation
meets two times a year to select the
staff for the upcoming Happening.
There are Happening reunion groups
led by volunteer adults and youth in
some communities across the
diocese. The program is under the
direction of the Right Rev'd Scott A. Benhase, Episcopal
Bishop of Georgia. Jody Grant (706-738-5774) serves as the
volunteer Lay Coordinator of the Happening program.
“Lasts a lifetime…”
A Happening experience is just a beginning. The
idea is to get closer to God during the weekend
and then to continue growing in the Christian
way of life. Happeners are encouraged to
participate fully in the life of their local
congregation.
“Best time of my life…”
During a Happening weekend, we worship, play, sing, and talk about God’s place in our lives. We make new friends who share similar concerns and questions – a reassuring discovery. A teen who acts as “rector” leads the weekend with the help of a staff consisting mostly of youth. 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 our daily lives.
