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Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Mission Statement

The mission of Youth & Young Adult Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida is to introduce young people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to equip them to both live and share their faith in the world, and to build up the youth and young adult ministries of the Episcopal parishes and missions of this Diocese.

Summer Camp

Welcome to Camp Weed!

Camp Weed is an Episcopal camp operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Florida for youth ages 6 – 18. The Camp has existed for over 85 years in different locations in Northern Florida. In 1978, Camp Weed moved to Live Oak, Florida where the facilities have grown into what we now call, The Episcopal Center, Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center. Campers of all denominations are welcome to attend Camp Weed to experience wholesome Christian fun in the great outdoors.

A typical day at Camp Weed begins with morning devotions, breakfast, and cabin clean-up. Swimming, archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, and trail biking may follow as your cabin’s activities. There are options such as leather works, tie-dye, sign language, and movie making to choose from for the afternoon activities. Evenings begin with a message from the Deans and a variety of all camp activities and programs. The traditional Weed Wide Olympics is always a hit and creates wonderful cabin camaraderie.

The Camp Weed staff is selected based on their spiritual and emotional maturity, enthusiasm for working with youth, and the ability to be a team member and to lead camp activities. Each staff member is given a criminal background check and personal interview, is certified in CPR/AED and first aid, and has taken the “Safeguarding God’s Children” to help recognize and prevent abuse. Camp Weed places the safety of its campers first in every aspect of camp life.

Click here to visit the Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center website

Young Adult Ministry

Our Diocesan Young Adult Ministry is centered around Vocare, a weekend retreat for young adults at Camp Weed in Live Oak, Florida. Vocare is the Latin word from which we derive the English word vocation–calling. The weekend is designed to be quiet time away from the world in order to discover God’s calling.

The Episcopal Church strives to be alongside young adults, to accompany, mentor, and provide places for leadership development. The church also offers deeper experiences in their faith journey through fellowship, vocational discernment, and internships in programs such as the Young Adult Service Corps.

Young Adult Ministry in the church at large takes the form of parish-based young adult groups for worship, fellowship, mission and study; young adult internships and intentional living through the Episcopal Service Corps; diocesan retreats and gatherings; engaging and training young adults in the polity of the church; mentoring and discernment programs; and young adult pilgrimages and mission experiences.

Campus ministry includes all students attending places of higher learning at colleges and universities. Sometimes referred to as “Canterbury Club” or “Episcopal Campus Ministry” (ECM), it includes all chaplains, campus ministers, and faculty. It provides programming, networks (diocesan, provincial, churchwide, and ecumenical), advocacy, and resources for those doing ministry on college and university campuses.

Click here to visit the Chapel of the Incarnation, Gainesville

Click here to visit Jacksonville Campus Ministry
Click here to visit the Chapel of the Resurrection, Tallahassee

 

 

 

Happening

About Happening

Happening is a weekend renewal retreat for led by youth for youth. 10-12th graders are invited to attend any of our three annual Happenings, and we invite 9th graders to join us for our spring Happening (typically held in April).  High school students put together an incredibly moving weekend filled with learning, sharing, and building relationships. Through videos, skits, talks, and more, candidates see how God and their faith fit in with the ups and downs of high school life. Happening is designed to help youth feel the love of God and their Christian community. We hope, at the end of the weekend, everyone goes home knowing how to continue growing a relationship with God and having a group of fellow believers to rely on. It’s a weekend full of fun, games, sharing, surprises, and most of all, spiritual renewal and empowerment.

Happening weekends begin on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. – candidates may arrive at 7:00 p.m. Whenever possible, candidates should not drive themselves to Happening. Once they check in, our adult team members will take their cell phones and any medicine and keys (if applicable). After the registration deadline is closed, parents will receive an email with contact numbers in case of emergencies. Candidates will jump right into the retreat after arriving Friday night, and we will grow together as a community until around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please note: candidates cannot arrive late or leave early for any reason. If you need to arrive late or leave early, please make plans to attend a different Happening.

Team: Team members must have attended a previous Happening and be actively involved in an Episcopal church or youth group to apply. Once applications have closed, the core team for the weekend will select and assign team members roles for the weekend. Attending the team meeting and the entire Happening weekend (beginning at 12pm on Friday) are requirements for serving on team.

Candidates: All 10th – 12th graders of any faith are welcome to attend a Happening weekend. Additionally, 9th graders are welcome to attend the spring Happening weekend held in April. You will need email addresses for your priest, youth leader, parents, and sponsor (see more info below). The registration fee for the weekend is $140. Each candidate should have a sponsor who will coordinate transportation, surprises, and more. Anyone who has previously been through Happening can serve as a sponsor. If you’d like to attend Happening but don’t know anyone who can sponsor you, please reach out to our Lay Director (contact information below). If you need financial assistance or need help finding a sponsor, please contact the Happening Lay Director or the Diocesan Director of Youth Programs.

Adults who are actively involved in youth ministry in the Diocese of Florida or who have children actively involved in our Happening movement may attend Happening as geritols. Geritols will be placed in an adults-only small group so the discussions are relevant and appropriate. Other than that, they’ll experience Happening right beside the candidates! Because we keep adults together in a small group, we must have enough adult participants to form that group in order to allow adults to participate. If for some reason we cannot make a geritol group, you’ll be notified soon after registration closes.

What to Pack

Happening takes place at Camp Weed in Live Oak, FL. Candidates (including geritols) and team members sleep in air-conditioned cabins.

Packing List:

  • Bedding (twin sheets, pillow, blanket, etc.)

  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (for two days – and maybe an extra pair)

  • Rain jacket or poncho (this is Florida after all)

Happening Leadership

Happening in the Diocese of Florida is a ministry led by the Happening Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is a group of youth and adults who meet quarterly to prayerfully lead and guide Happening into the future. Past Happeners of any age are encouraged to apply and help keep Happening a thriving ministry in the Diocese of Florida.

Happening Steering Committee Applications are now available. Please click here to fill out an application if you are interested in serving on the committee. Applicants should have served on at least one team and be a Sophomore or above in high school. Applications are due May 1st.
Happening #144 Rector Applications can be found here.
Students should prayerfully consider their applications and should have served on at least two teams prior to applying. Applications are due on May 1st before 6:00 P.M.