2008 Star Gatherings: Family and Youth UCC Conferences
conference site: starisucc.com
General Information: Star Island is a place full of history and traditions - some centuries old and some new this year. Come join us in 2008 to discover and explore the traditions and beauty of Star Island, a place of community, sharing, growth, and enrichment for people of all ages. There will be arts & crafts, hand bell ringing, intergenerational games, swimming, tennis, softball, walking, jogging, and worship services as well as chair rocking on the porch, reading, napping, laughing, chatting, snacking, knitting, and more! The food is plentiful, the sea breezes are soothing, and the chapel worship is inspiring. In the morning, an experienced, loving, and devoted staff cares for all children from infancy to junior high. Afternoon and evening activities are open to all ages.
Registration Information for all UCC Conferences: A room and board deposit of $150/person and registration fee are due with registration. Before April 10, registration fees are: $80/adult (18 and over), $75/youth (14-17), and $50/child (13 and under), up to $250/family. After April 10, fees are $85/$80/$55, up to $275/family. Youth and family conferences are separate, thus fees for youth cannot be included toward the family maximum. Please mail ONE CHECK, payable to "Star Island UCC," completed registration form, and business-sized SASE ($0.63) to the conference registrar listed below. Registration begins March 10. Registrations postmarked before then will be treated as if postmarked on March 10. Registrations postmarked after March 10 will be accepted, space available, according to postmark date. The room and board deposit and registration fee are refundable until June 26 and July 1 for Star Gathering I and II, respectively. Scholarships: Funds are available; inquire with registrar. Applications due June 1. Also: Contact the Laity Conference Registrar for a special offer to Star Gathering conferees.
Star Gathering I Family and Youth Registration: Direct correspondence to: Crista Woolley, 24 Evergreen Valley Dr., Dover, NH 03820, (603) 742-2213, StarRegUCC1@aol.com.
Star Gathering II Family and Youth Registration: Direct correspondence to Lori Benson, 81 Union St., Bridgewater, MA 02324, (508) 807-0273, starucc2@comcast.net
Star Gathering I Family: a UCC Conference
Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10
Theme: Coming home to Star Island: Building our community in a world of differences.
Join the community of shoalers, old and new at UCC1 as we share fellowship, faith and fun. We will celebrate our heritage at Star Island and what makes us a community in a diverse and challenging world. Enriching programs for all ages will again be offered. Young adults, college age and up, will have the opportunity to worship, play and grow together with programs specific to this group.
We welcome the Rev. Dr. Philip (Joe) Mayher as our program leader. Joe is well-known as teacher and minister at Weston Congregational church, Weston, MA and founding partner of Camp IF. More details about Joe and the program can be found on our website.
Minister: Check www.starisucc.com for details
General Information: Feel the salty breezes as you rock on the porch, listen to the music playing in the lobby or take a stroll to Betty Moody's cave. Star Island has something for everyone.... read a book, study the bible, paint in the art barn, hook a rug. There will be a variety of arts and crafts, kids activities, softball, tennis and much more! Come soothe and nourish your heart and soul on Star Island!
Co-directors: Susie Allen, 40 Whitcomb Rd., Boxboro, MA. 01719 (508)269-9202, susieallen@mac.com. Julie Pope 375 Chestnut Tree Hill Rd., Southbury, Ct. 06488 (203)264-4281, (203)218-7884, jnpope55@aol.com, Jennifer Walsh, 1147 Bentoak Ct., San Jose, Cal. 95129 (408)865-1373, (408)621-6902, jen@walsh.net
Registration: See registration information for all UCC Conferences, above.
Room and Board: Please see 7-night conference rates at the bottom of the page.
Star Gathering I Youth: a UCC Conference
Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day... "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you." Thus began the Velveteen Rabbits journey to self-discovery. Your journey could begin, or continue, with us during UCC I Youth Conference this summer! Come on out and play for a week, discover how you are made and why "real" is different. Be part of a joyfully raucous community as we journey deep within, and hang out. Who knows? This week could be just the "thing" that happens to you!
Chairs: Shayna Appel, PO Box 1116, Quechee, VT 05059. (802)579-6066, Shayna.Appel@Dartmouth.edu; Adam Tavolaro, 2285 Sheriff Drive, Easton, PA 18040, (610) 438-2588, ajtavolaro@gmail.com.
Registration: See registration information for all UCC Conferences, above.
Room and Board: Please see 7-night conference rates at the bottom of the page.
Star Gathering II Family: a UCC Conference
Sunday, August 10 to Saturday, August 16
Old friends and new are invited to relax and enjoy the unique community on Star Island. Spiritual renewal and lasting friendships lie ahead for all who come.
Serendipity includes: baskets, sacred/spirit/Star doll, jewelry, Reiki demonstrations, wine & beer tastings, storytelling, photography, yoga, magic, drama, Broadway, dance/crazy hat, game night, hymn sings, family chapels, candlelight chapels, afternoon tea, Bible study, auction, and the Appledore tour. Come read, relax, rock, and refresh your mind, body and soul.
Theme: Real Characters
Minister of the week: Rev Dr Edward Horstman, Sr. Pastor of Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT, with the theme "Real Characters." Dr. Horstman will focus on and portray one biblical character for each day, drawing on resources from figures presented mostly in 1-2 Kings. Come experience Bible characters coming to life to tell their stories. Dr. Horstman is the 2007 recipient of a Lilly Endownment Clergy Renewal Grant and has studied liberating the imagination for worship and service with Auburn Seminary in NY.
Speaker of the week: Angela Menke Ballou, Associate Minister at Second Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Beverly, MA. Her theme of the week will be "Story telling as an Entry into Spiritual Practice & Social Change." Angela is committed to justice issues having traveled to Northern Ireland working with children whose lives were marred by violence and conflict. She has traveled with Christian Peacemaker Teams to do peace advovocacy work in Israel/Palestine and worked with Boarderlinks on the US/Mexico border to understand the impact and complexity of immigration policy.
Co-Chairs: Sara Moriarty, (860) 749-4697, smori108@aol.com, Chris Mientus, (860) 729-4573, cmientus@yahoo.com
Registration: See registration information for all UCC Conferences, top of page.
Room and Board: Please see 6-night conference rates below.
Star Gathering II Youth: a UCC Conference
Sunday, August 10 to Saturday, August 16
It's a wild ride on the Wonderful, Magical Mystery Tour as old and new come together for UCC II! Those who have attended this conference before will recognize the familiar, while old and new comers will all experience...well, the new stuff of course! Just get on the boat and be prepared to have a raucously good time...and maybe even learn something about yourself in the process! See you on the 'rawk'! (The conference is open to all youth who will be entering 9th grade as of 2008 through 2008 high school graduates.)
Co-Chairs: Shayna Appel, P.O. Box 1116, Quechee, VT 05059, (802)579-6066 [Shayna.Appel@Dartmouth.edu] & Robin Junker, C/O Bethany Church, 30 N. Main St., Randolph, VT 05060, (802) 728-5849
Registration: See registration information for all UCC Conferences, top of page.
Room and Board: Please see 6-night conference rates below.