Fall Gathering - "Listening For God in Our Dreams" was a huge success as 39 youth and 7 adults arrived at All Saint's Center for a weekend of Dream Workshops, music, fellowship, and "dreaming of the future" as new leadership was announced and new events were discussed for 2008. For more on Fall Gathering, click below.

                     Youth & Adults at Fall Gathering, Oct. 5-7, 2007

The theme "Listening for God in Our Dreams" was formulated by the Youth Council back in September, and youth and adults in attendance were treated to a weekend lead by Kyran Pittman, a dream workshop facilitator.  Kyran worked with the youth and adults in distinguishing objects and themes in their dreams, taught them how to help each other discern their dreams, and led a Senior dream workshop.

But the weekend wasn't just about dreams.  Julie Roth again joined the Gathering to lead music and the weekend was filled with games, music, and fellowship.  Youth also enjoyed All Saint's in the fall with Yoga, arts & crafts, volleyball, and the traditional Saturday night dance and movie.  The Rev. Larry Handwerk celebrated the Eucharist with the youth and adults on Saturday night before the dance.

Sunday morning discussions began to shape the future of the diocesan youth community as new members were elected to Youth Council, diocesan representatives were elected to attend Provinc IV meetings, and a new look was decided upon for Diocesan Convention.  This year, there will be a youth delegation, including delegates, alternates, youth working as pages, youth leading workshops, youth participating in services, and helping with every aspect of the diocesan convention.  This will also be a chance for so many different churches and youth groups to become involved in the diocesan program.  Youth who are interested in serving at convention will be housed together at St. Matthew's Episcopal church and enjoy a Friday night filled with great food, movies, bowling, basketball, music, and all the things that go along with a Diocesan-wide LOCK-IN!

Sunday morning concluded with a different type of "dream" workshop as adults and youth discussed themes for upcoming event and new youth events that will be set to begin in 2008.  There will be a Winter Gathering in January, February gives us the Acolyte Festival and Diocesan Convention, and March and April will bring two new events onto the calendar.  In March, the Spring Work Retreat will be held at All Saint's Center as youth and adults from all over the diocese come together to prep the lower camp for the summer camping season.  Youth and adults will enjoy work projects such as painting, trail blazing, and decorating Marmion Commons as the new camp Arts and Crafts facility.  April will offer the first Happening retreat for Sr. High youth in the diocese.  Happening is a program designed and lead by youth and offers a safe environment for youth to talk about their faith and the struggles of high school.  The weekend will have talks by youth, large and small group discussions, wonderful music, and a chance for youth to build a faith community in which they feel comfortable to ask the questions that need asking.  Happening is not designed to provide the answers as you walk their faith journey, but it does offer a new way to explore their faith with other youth from around the diocese. 

The weekend finished with a final prayer, a group photo, lunch, and a lot of hugs goodbye.