2023 Conference Information
Star Gathering 1 Family & Youth Conference: July 30th- August 6th 2023
Star Gathering 2 Family Conference: August 6th- 13th 2023
Star Gathering Family Weekend Conference: September 1st-4th 2023
Star Gathering 1 Family Conference
July 30th- August 6th 2023
To Be Loved, We Must Be Known
Feeling burnt-out on the world lately? Sometimes the media’s rhetoric of fear, distrust, and divisiveness can leave us feeling weary, overwhelmed, or underwhelmed, and very much alone.
Relationships, even with those we care deeply about, may feel the strain of passionately and wildly different held beliefs on important issues. We tend to disassociate with, run away from, or simplify those who hold disparate opinions.
The truth is, in a divisive world, building community offers solace and hope. Acting collaboratively and collectively means that we build strong and authentic relationships that enable us to act in concert with each other from a place of wisdom, respect, and LOVE. And to be loved, we need to be known.
Looking for an opportunity to connect to beauty and inspiration? Join us for a special Star Island week focused on celebrating and nurturing the vision of Beloved Community.
Through art, music, conversation, reflection, and fun we will create a more inclusive and intentional community, to help spread more empathy and understanding in the world.
During chapel, we will explore various stories in the gospels where Jesus encounters people in ways that were unexpected or where the script gets flipped.
Programming for Children
Kids from birth to entering 8th grade enjoy games, crafts, learning, and exploration of Star Island with their friends in teacher-led groups for 3 hours every morning. Fun activities for all ages are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening — examples include slip-n-slide on lawn, field games, kickball, tie-dye, softball, swimming, crafts, board games, trivia, and bonfire marshmallow roasts!
The 2023 Minister and Speaker of the Week
Minister of the Week: Rev. Anna Flowers, current UCC pastor at UCC Walpole, MA
Speaker of the Week: Rev. JaQuan Beachem – Director of Community Development & Spiritual Formation at Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School
Past themes have included:
- Making, Baking, and Sharing: Nourishing Creativity and Community (2022)
- Storytelling (2021)
- Bodies Are Beautiful (2019)
- Live Green, Love Green: Ecology, Faith & Justice (2018)
Star Gathering 1 Youth Conference 2023
July 30th- August 6th 2023
This week we will look at relationships, self-acceptance, acceptance of others, and ways to show our love. We will discuss the love languages – words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. How do we show our love language to others? How do we receive love from others? How do we express our love if we disagree? We will explore all of this – from peers, to siblings, to parents, to romantic love, to God, to the world at large. Come join us and share your views, learn something new, and enjoy the beautiful and emotionally accepting Beloved Star Island community.
The Youth Conference welcomes everyone entering 9th grade through newly graduated high school seniors for fun, relaxation, bonfires, lime rickeys, games, softball, swimming, and life-long friends!
This week we will look at relationships, self-acceptance, acceptance of others, and ways to show our love. We will discuss the love languages – words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. How do we show our love language to others? How do we receive love from others? How do we express our love if we disagree?
Past themes have included:
- Feeding Body, Mind, and Spirit (2022)
- Tell me a Story! (2021)
- Bodies Are Beautiful (2019)
- Live Green, Love Green: Ecology, Faith & Justice (2018)
Star Gathering 2 Family Conference
August 6th- 13th 2023
Joy on the Rocks:
Resilience, Resistance and Beauty on Star Island and In Our Lives
Let the energy of community present echo and grow into the amplified Joy of being, and being HERE.
With rituals of awakening each morning, calling us to be present to the ways in which the spirituality of Creation moves within us and within the world we build together, you will be invited to connect to yourself and your community and witness the awe of beauty between us. And in teaching of practices of rituals, presence and care, Rev. Darrell and Rev. Dr. Chris will help tend to our souls: in our bodies, in our spirits, and in our beloved Beings. Together, we will create the kind of Community in resilience that cares for each of our wondrous, imperfect, salty Spirits.
Programming for Children and for Youth/Teens
We have programming for kids 0-8th grade from 9-noon each day. Depending on the age of the group, they have unique traditions. For example, our 3-5 grade group usually ends the week with a pirate scavenger hunt!
The 2023 Minister and Speaker of the Week
Speaker of the Week: Rev. Darrell L. Goodwin
Minister of the Week: Rev. Chris Davies
Past SGII themes have included:
- Nourishing a Community: Exploring Pathways to Racial Equity (2022)
- Storytelling (2021)
- The Body: A Vehicle of Justice, Advocacy & Peace (2019)
-
Live Green, Love Green: Ecology, Faith & Justice (2018)
Star Gathering Family Weekend Conference
September 1st-4th 2023
Finding Your Authentic Voice
Our voice is a barometer of truth, an audible expression of who we are. When we deepen our relationship with our voice, we deepen our relationship with ourselves. As we explore the three spheres of the voice – public, private, and inner voice, we discover our soul voice at the core. Reclaiming the wildness of our soul voice frees our personal power for authentic self-expression.
Workshops during Star Gathering Family Weekend will explore the voice in experiential ways, including writing, drawing, speaking, toning, and singing.
The 2023 Minister and Speaker of the Week
Speaker of the Week: Peggo Horstmann Hodes
Minister of the Week: Rev. Deborah Roof
Past themes have included:
- Feed Your Body, Nourish Your Soul (2022)
- The Spiritual Connection: Body, Mind & Spirit (2021)
- Live Green, Love Green: Ecology, Faith & Justice (2019)