Upcoming Weekend:
February 17-19, 2012
Camp Epworth, 15404 Highway 45, Louisville, Illinois
Click here to download a Tri-Fold Brochure
(includes Participant Application)
Click here to download an Adult Sponsor Application
Click here to download an Adult Leader Application
Click here to download Youth_Leader_Application
A RETREAT WEEKEND JUST FOR GRADES 6-9
St. Paul said, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
(1 Timothy 4: 12)
What is New Beginnings?
- A fun, fast paced retreat weekend designed just for youth grades 6-9.
- Run by a team of motivated Christian youth dedicated to serving all on the weekend by living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- A chance for youth to reflect on the important relationships in their lives and consider making a “New Beginning”.
- Songs, snacks, skits, old friends and new friends.
A Spiritual Experience for Youth...
Even though New Beginnings is hosted in the Episcopal Church tradition, this experience is for all Christian youth. Episcopal youth are encouraged to invite their Christian friends to the weekend. New Beginnings is a great outing for an entire junior high youth group. Often, New Beginnings is the first opportunity for a young person to pause and reflect on his or her situation and God.
New Beginnings presumes that participants will abide by the norms of a Christian community. All participants are expected to be respectful of the needs and rights of others. Use of any tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal drugs, inappropriate boy-girl behavior or destruction of property will not be tolerated. Those that cannot live within the norms will be asked to leave the weekend.
What about Adult Supervision?
Although the New Beginnings weekend is led predominately by the youth leadership team, adult leaders are engaged throughout the entire weekend.
As a matter of fact, New Beginnings requires that each church that sends "New Beginners" to the weekend also provide one Adult Sponsor for each 5 young people attending (that are not on the team). Exception: any church that has never sent a delegation to New Beginnings may send up to 3 young people to the weekend without an adult sponsor. A sponsor from the adult team will be appointed for those youth. All subsequent participation by that church will require sponsors.
What about the Cost?
The fee for all participants (first time guests and team alike) on a New Beginnings weekend is $40.00 This covers all meals starting Saturday morning through Sunday noon. Snacks are also provided, you will not be hungry.
Money should never be an obstacle to a young person wanting to attend the weekend. Scholarships are available - to apply for assistance, contact the New Beginnings Coordinator.
Weekend Format...
- NB weekends are usually held in a youth camp setting, where young Christians can “retreat” from their ever-hectic world to consider some of the important relationships in their lives—with parents, with siblings, with peers
and with their Lord. - Since relationships continually change, it is good for young people to attend several NB weekends; there is no limit to the number of weekends a 6th-9th grader can attend. There are usually two NB weekends per year, one in August and one in February.
- The program begins on Friday night at 7:00 pm and ends on Sunday afternoon at about 4:00 pm. The NB weekend proceeds in a building block fashion, so participants must plan to attend the entire weekend.
- A pair of youth leaders, called Shepherds, lead the entire weekend. The high school-aged young people guide the journey. The youth team is assisted by a married couple and spiritual director (clergy) and other adult leaders.
- In addition to songs, games and skits, youth leaders present short talks on these topics: Friends, Siblings, Parents, School, what is Love, Who is Jesus, and the Church. Small groups provide the opportunity to learn and share together.
What People Say About New Beginnings...
- “New Beginnings Rocks!” (participant, then youth leader)
- “…New Beginnings is the reason I am a Christian today” (participant, now youth leader)
- “New Beginnings gave me hope and helped me understand that the teen years can indeed be the best times” (adult sponsor)
- “Wow!! These kids are unbelievable--the way they care for one another, a true Christian community!” (Married Couple)
Want to know more or receive registration form?
- Please contact the New Beginnings Coordinator: Kelly Etheridge: Ph. # 618-978-3283 email: amothc@yahoo.com Facebook: Kelly Goodman Etheridge