St. Michael’s Youth Conference
The Diocese of Springfield will host it’s first St. Michael’s Youth Conference this summer, June 7 – 12, 2015, at Lake Williamson in Carlinville, IL. The Diocese joins several others around the U.S. and Canada that host conferences each summer for youth, ages 13-19.
St. Michael’s Conference is not to be confused with Summer Camp and is not a replacement for a camp experience. St. Michael’s is designed for those who would like to go deeper in their faith. Daily group activities, worship, prayer and conference sessions designed to help you grow in your Christian faith are the core of this experience.
Please see the brochure for more information and details for reserving your spot in the conference next summer.
St. Michaels Conference Brochure
Junior High Trust Course and Lockin
The Diocese Youth Commission is hosting an event for all Junior High youth, grades 6th – 8th, September 14th – 15th, 2013, in Decatur, IL. See the flyer for more details.
Junior High Trust Course and Lockin – September 14th – 15th, 2013
Summer Camp, June 30th – July 6th
More information and applications
Work Week, Coming in July 2013
The Work Week ministry focuses on annual service projects during the summer for our high school youth. Work Week brings young persons and adult sponsors together to be Christs presence in the community. Past Work Weeks have served Toddhall Retreat Center, Neighbors for Renewal, Tornado Relief in Harrisburg, IL, and many other organizations and needs. Work Week is typically held in June each summer. For more information contact Joe Hooten, jhoo10@charter.net.
Youth Pilgrimage Information Now Online
The brochure, itinerary, and reservation form for the June 2014 Youth Pilgrimage to England is now available on the new pilgrimage page. We held our first information meeting on January 5th following the Techno Blizzard lock-in to kick off registrations. Watch here for information on future meetings.
Happening #56, April 5th -7th
The Diocese will celebrate Happening #56 at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville, IL on April 5th -7th, 2013. The weekend is open to all high school youth in grades 9 – 12, as well as adults who have never attended a Happening weekend. There are links on the Happening page for candidate applications. We pray will feel called to join our Happening community.
Techno Blizzard Christian Rave / lock-in
The Diocese will host a Techno Blizzard and Lock-in Jan 4-5, 2013 at the cathedral in Springfield. It begins with Eucharist at 6 PM, then dinner, dance (with black lights) and lock-in. On the 5th we will start with morning prayer and end with breakfast. Pick up is at 9:30 AM. We need to have people tell us if they are coming so we can plan for enough food. Also the cathedral needs to know if we are not coming by so please RSVP by 12/27/12. This event is offered at no cost to the youth of our diocese, and I hope many of our youth will be able to attend. Please rsvp to Kathy Moore at sprfldyouthdept@consolidated.net or at 217 563-7077.
In conjunction with the lock-in, of the morning of January 5th, there will be an informational meeting about the pilgrimage to England at 10 AM. The meeting is open to youth who are interested in going on the pilgrimage and their parents. We will be handing out information about the upcoming pilgrimage and answering questions. The pilgrimage is for high school youth, those entering their Freshman year in the fall of 2014 through Seniors graduating in the spring of 2014.
Pilgrimage 2014
The Youth Department for the Diocese of Springfield will be sponsoring a pilgrimage to a variety of sites in England during the summer of 2014.
pil·grim·age noun
1. a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion
This pilgrimage will truly be a time to learn about the roots of our Anglican faith, as well as provide an opportunity for our pilgrims to strengthen their devotion to God in places where many faith filled people have lived, prayed, and died.
During our pilgrimage we will be able to visit many sites in England that are important to our faith. These religious sites include: Westminster Abbey, St, Paul’s Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, Ayeslford Priory, St. Martin’s and St. Augustine’s Abbey, and Canterbury Cathedral. Those who go will also see some secular sites like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, and the rebuilt Globe Theater.
The dates for the pilgrimage are June 20 through June 30, 2014. The pilgrimage will be open to youth entering 9th grade in fall 2014, through students who have just graduated from high school in the Spring of 2014. Additionally, a few students who have finished their Freshman year in college will be able to go.
We anticipate the cost will be approximately $3,000 per person. The Youth Department does not want the large amount of the cost to prevent any interested youth from participating. Starting this early gives us much time to raise money to help defray the cost. Interested youth may also be able to get some financial help from their home parish.
If you are interested in being a part of this pilgrimage you need to start now! Please contact Youth Department Chair, Kathy Moore and let her know you would like to be put on the list of those who want to be a part of the pilgrimage to England. You can email her at sprfldyouthdept@consolidated.net, or you can write to her snail mail address which is 924 E Union St Nokomis, IL 62075. Putting your name in now does not obligate you to go, but it does give you a chance to be one of the pilgrims who goes to England in 2014.
