Upper School Students Participate in Happening Retreat

Last weekend ten Episcopal students convened for Happening #149 at Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center in Live Oak, Florida, with dozens of students from other schools and churches across Northeast Florida. Happening is a spiritual retreat experience in the Episcopal tradition that is planned and led by teenagers for teenagers. Four Episcopal students attended the retreat for the first time as “candidates,” while the other six students were team members, fulfilling many duties and exercising their leadership skills in service of the candidates. Throughout the weekend, the candidates listened to student-prepared talks on a variety of topics related to the Christian faith and the world; shared their own reflections and perspectives in small discussion groups; prayed, sang, and worshiped together; and discovered some fun surprises along the way.

“Happening has had a great impact on my faith because of how relatable all of the others’ faith journeys are to mine. It allows me to open up because I know that others have similar faith journeys and they won’t judge me for what I have and haven’t done in my faith,” said Sarah Magevney ’25, a small group leader on the retreat.

William Jackson ‘25, who served on the music team, noted “the sense of community and belonging [that] makes everyone feel included.”  He added, “Even if you don’t know many people there, people are quick to make you feel welcome.”

Upon the completion of the retreat, it was announced that the Rector (the student who leads the retreat) for Happening #150, to be held April 19-21, 2024, will be Episcopal’s own Garland Rogers ’24.

“Among the greatest joys of my ministry is seeing our students, like Garland and so many others, exploring their faith not only on campus through things like Vestry but also beyond our school, connecting with other students, leading and inspiring others, and sharing their gifts and stories so boldly and beautifully,” said The Rev. Christopher Dell, who also serves as the Spiritual Director for Happening in the Diocese of Florida.