Category: Star Gathering Conferences

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)