Religious Educators Week
Saturday, July 5 - Friday, July 11, 2025
Description
Workshops
Conference Leadership
Pricing
Description
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Join us for Religious Education Week at Ferry Beach! We explore faith development, spiritual growth, and leadership in a week for colleagues, friends and families.
Each summer we create a dynamic community of individual congregations and families to form this vibrant multigenerational gathering where all kinds of families work and play alongside religious educators. We come to learn as well as to put into practice what it means to be Unitarian Universalist leaders and be part of a beloved community. This year our intentional community includes child dedications for our community at the beginning of the week in addition to our annual bridging ceremony at the week’s end. There are so many ways we're already shining stars at loving one another: from keeping watch over little ones to sharing our heartfelt stories of life. We take long walks and talks on the beach, laugh together at the fabulous Talent/No Talent Show and watch our children grow up! We'll have so many ways to explore what it means to LOVE in a community and take that love to other communities. Whether you are an overwhelmed introvert, a sunburnt human, or someone who just needs a nap, we all need a little break every day. Although it is so hard to say no to any of the delicious offerings, we want to provide a strong holding space for quiet time as well. Afternoons feature more professional and personal growth opportunities such as themed porch chats, which focus on issues relating to religious education and parenting. There will also be a variety of multigenerational spiritual and “just fun” workshops, as well as time to just relax on the beach, take a walk, or play. |
Young Adults Work Play Program:
The young adults work/play program is intended for those aged 18-25 to learn the values of work while enjoying fun during their stay. Program participants will work 3 hours a day in one of these areas: maintenance, housekeeping, program/set up, & kitchen/dinning hall. In compensation program participants lodging and conference fee is waived. Participants just pay for meals during their stay. Want to be part of this program? Please fill out the form here and afterwards register here. Photos from previous RE Weeks!
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Multigenerational evening programs often include a dance, drumming circle, campfire, and the Talent/No Talent show. Programming for the day ends with a Spirit Circle, a time to slow down, reflect, and connect.
Workshops
How to Register for Workshops?
To register for workshops, visit your reservation portal on Bookinglayer and click the "Add-Ons & Upgrades section. You can then add on your desired workshop(s).
To register for workshops, visit your reservation portal on Bookinglayer and click the "Add-Ons & Upgrades section. You can then add on your desired workshop(s).
2025 Workshops:
Sparks Module: Caring for Parents, Children, and their Families in These Times Free to Attend
Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill and Rev. Erica Baron
The Surgeon General tells us that parents are more stressed out than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet, many families with children show up at our doors, seeking community and care, in search of a soft place to land. In this Sparks training, we will:
Sarah Gettie is the Professional Development Programs Manager at the UUA, supporting our Religious Education Credentialing and Music Leadership Certification Programs, managing the Sparks Program, and is a part of the Faith Development Co-Lab. In past ministries, she has served as a religious educator for a number of
congregations and as a hospital chaplain. Sarah Gettie completed her MDiv from Meadville Lombard Theological School and has five units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Sarah Gettie resides in Bloomington, Indiana with her 8- and 12-year old, her husband, her mother, and their furry friends.
Rev. Erica Baron is a Congregational Consultant for the New England Region of the UUA. She is part of the Faith Development Co-Lab, a collaboration between regional staff and the Lifespan Faith Engagement team. Prior to this position, she served as a minister to congregations in New York and Vermont. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Erica grew up UU RE at the UU Society of Burlington, Vermont and Mount Mansfield UU Fellowship in Jericho, Vermont. She currently lives in Malden, MA with her wife and 9-year-old son.
Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill and Rev. Erica Baron
The Surgeon General tells us that parents are more stressed out than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet, many families with children show up at our doors, seeking community and care, in search of a soft place to land. In this Sparks training, we will:
- Show up for one another as colleagues, playing together with Interplay-based methods;
- Practice spiritual care skills for accompanying beloveds in challenging times;
- Investigate causes of stress for parents in our communities; and
- Co-conspire to generate community- and care-based antidotes to parental and familial stress.
- This training will use part of the updated Spring 2025 UU Institute-based Spiritual Care Training as prep work, along with other readings and videos selected by the facilitators.
Sarah Gettie is the Professional Development Programs Manager at the UUA, supporting our Religious Education Credentialing and Music Leadership Certification Programs, managing the Sparks Program, and is a part of the Faith Development Co-Lab. In past ministries, she has served as a religious educator for a number of
congregations and as a hospital chaplain. Sarah Gettie completed her MDiv from Meadville Lombard Theological School and has five units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Sarah Gettie resides in Bloomington, Indiana with her 8- and 12-year old, her husband, her mother, and their furry friends.
Rev. Erica Baron is a Congregational Consultant for the New England Region of the UUA. She is part of the Faith Development Co-Lab, a collaboration between regional staff and the Lifespan Faith Engagement team. Prior to this position, she served as a minister to congregations in New York and Vermont. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Erica grew up UU RE at the UU Society of Burlington, Vermont and Mount Mansfield UU Fellowship in Jericho, Vermont. She currently lives in Malden, MA with her wife and 9-year-old son.
Sacred Seeing $10.00
Kate Sullivan and Lynn Medley
Join us as we explore the process of taking a photograph as a way to slow down, to notice things we often miss, and to see deeply with the “eyes of the heart.” Open yourself to wonder and awe, to the discovery of the holy all around you, and to using photography as an act of silent worship. This year we will explore the dance of light and shadow, see what is hidden and what is revealed in our images, embrace ambiguity and mystery, discover our holy places, and find the sacred all around us. We will use our photographs as windows to reveal what is within and beyond what is often just simply seen.
Join us and experience the divine in the world as we bring our camera to the eye and open ourselves to the transformative power of sacred sight. NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT or experience is necessary to fully participate. Bring your point-&-shoot, your big camera, your old Polaroid, or your cell phone (which is what most people use!) This is a deep and FUN multigenerational offering for people in high school on up. This will be our 7th year of offering this course and we are so excited to welcome new and returning participants.
Leaders:
Kate Sullivan, long-time Ferry Beacher, is a developmental psychologist who has been working as an RE Director/consultant in UU churches for 15 years. She is also a photographer and has been working on bringing together her love of photography, building community, and spiritual practice. Kate is the co-creator of this workshop, Sacred Seeing, with Lynn Medley, and is super excited to be offering it again this year during RE Week!
Lynn Medley is a speech-language pathologist who spent a few years as a Director of Religious Education in a small UU fellowship in Pennsylvania. She has attended Ferry Beach’s RE Week for more than 14 years, and is the co-creator of this workshop, Sacred Seeing, with Kate Sullivan.
Kate Sullivan and Lynn Medley
Join us as we explore the process of taking a photograph as a way to slow down, to notice things we often miss, and to see deeply with the “eyes of the heart.” Open yourself to wonder and awe, to the discovery of the holy all around you, and to using photography as an act of silent worship. This year we will explore the dance of light and shadow, see what is hidden and what is revealed in our images, embrace ambiguity and mystery, discover our holy places, and find the sacred all around us. We will use our photographs as windows to reveal what is within and beyond what is often just simply seen.
Join us and experience the divine in the world as we bring our camera to the eye and open ourselves to the transformative power of sacred sight. NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT or experience is necessary to fully participate. Bring your point-&-shoot, your big camera, your old Polaroid, or your cell phone (which is what most people use!) This is a deep and FUN multigenerational offering for people in high school on up. This will be our 7th year of offering this course and we are so excited to welcome new and returning participants.
Leaders:
Kate Sullivan, long-time Ferry Beacher, is a developmental psychologist who has been working as an RE Director/consultant in UU churches for 15 years. She is also a photographer and has been working on bringing together her love of photography, building community, and spiritual practice. Kate is the co-creator of this workshop, Sacred Seeing, with Lynn Medley, and is super excited to be offering it again this year during RE Week!
Lynn Medley is a speech-language pathologist who spent a few years as a Director of Religious Education in a small UU fellowship in Pennsylvania. She has attended Ferry Beach’s RE Week for more than 14 years, and is the co-creator of this workshop, Sacred Seeing, with Kate Sullivan.
Ecology & Spirituality Free to Attend (Capacity of 12 individuals)
Rev. Dan Harper and Jessica Harwood
Spend the week exploring the habitats surrounding Ferry Beach, connecting with the natural world, and renewing your spirit. We will engage in contemplative and environmental practices and activities to engage our sense of wonder. You will gain skills for your own understanding and relationship to the natural world, while also building a tool box of activities to use in an RE program. This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn more about ecology and spirituality in a hands-on, immersive experience.
Leaders:
Rev. Dan Harper started as a UU religious educator in 1994. Having worked as DRE, MRE, interim religious educator, he is currently parish minister in Cohasset, Mass. Since 2015, he has co-directed a weeklong UU ecology camp. He holds the Mass. Audubon Field Naturalist certificate, and is a California Certified Naturalist.
Jessica Harwood has been the Director of Faith Development & Community Engagement at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence since 2017. Prior to that, she was an elementary classroom teacher and environmental educator. She is inspired by the natural world, creativity, community, and kids.
Rev. Dan Harper and Jessica Harwood
Spend the week exploring the habitats surrounding Ferry Beach, connecting with the natural world, and renewing your spirit. We will engage in contemplative and environmental practices and activities to engage our sense of wonder. You will gain skills for your own understanding and relationship to the natural world, while also building a tool box of activities to use in an RE program. This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn more about ecology and spirituality in a hands-on, immersive experience.
Leaders:
Rev. Dan Harper started as a UU religious educator in 1994. Having worked as DRE, MRE, interim religious educator, he is currently parish minister in Cohasset, Mass. Since 2015, he has co-directed a weeklong UU ecology camp. He holds the Mass. Audubon Field Naturalist certificate, and is a California Certified Naturalist.
Jessica Harwood has been the Director of Faith Development & Community Engagement at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence since 2017. Prior to that, she was an elementary classroom teacher and environmental educator. She is inspired by the natural world, creativity, community, and kids.
Art & Qigong $15.00 (Capacity of 20 individuals)
Mandy Neff and Ashley Baldwin
Relax and retreat with us! Join Mandy and Ashley for a week of integration through art and movement. You’ll learn gentle Qigong practices and create two fun art projects that will help you digest and integrate all that has happened this year. Connect your passion for justice and change-making with two fun art practices! We will develop messages and check out “Artivist” inspirations in graffiti and sub-vertising, then we’ll start the week with carving stamps in two different media to make our own prints and/or alphabets. Then we’ll create posters and “zines” (mini, personal “magazines”) to share our messages and manifestoes with the Ferry Beach RE Week community and beyond. Bring your sense of fun, your favorite color, AND your UU values!
In addition to creating with our hands, we’ll also explore how creativity flows through the body.
Using meditation, breathwork, and gentle Qigong movement, we'll tap into the deeper currents
that shape our self-expression. We'll practice creating from a place of grounding and presence,
discovering how our internal state influences the messages we bring into the world. Together,
we'll invite a more embodied, authentic creativity to fuel our art, our activism, and our collective
liberation.
No prior experience with art, Qigong, or meditation is needed — just curiosity, an open heart,
and a willingness to explore!
Leaders:
Mandy Neff has served as a UU religious educator for 4 congregations over a 25-year career. She is the author of several curricula for youth. She has served as the President of New England LREDA and currently sits on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Mandy is a Spiritual Director certified by Still Harbor Chaplains for Justice. She believes that immersive retreats and camps are one of the most powerful ways to build spiritual community and foster strong faith identity and development.
Ashley Baldwin is a Senior Instructor and core team-member with the Thai Qi Holistics international healing & education center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since 2017, she has been empowering others through her practice to recognize, accept, and transform the habitual body posture, movement, and breathing patterns which cause daily discomfort, both physically and mentally, in daily life, toward a state of optimal well-being. Raised a UU, Ashley enjoys facilitating self-inquiry through embodied experience, as she understands that body, mind, and spiritual health are dynamically connected. Having lived in Thailand for over 7 years, Ashley currently resides on Long Island, New York, where, through her holistic practice, she is bridging a connection between Eastern spirituality & traditional medicine, and her home community.
Mandy Neff and Ashley Baldwin
Relax and retreat with us! Join Mandy and Ashley for a week of integration through art and movement. You’ll learn gentle Qigong practices and create two fun art projects that will help you digest and integrate all that has happened this year. Connect your passion for justice and change-making with two fun art practices! We will develop messages and check out “Artivist” inspirations in graffiti and sub-vertising, then we’ll start the week with carving stamps in two different media to make our own prints and/or alphabets. Then we’ll create posters and “zines” (mini, personal “magazines”) to share our messages and manifestoes with the Ferry Beach RE Week community and beyond. Bring your sense of fun, your favorite color, AND your UU values!
In addition to creating with our hands, we’ll also explore how creativity flows through the body.
Using meditation, breathwork, and gentle Qigong movement, we'll tap into the deeper currents
that shape our self-expression. We'll practice creating from a place of grounding and presence,
discovering how our internal state influences the messages we bring into the world. Together,
we'll invite a more embodied, authentic creativity to fuel our art, our activism, and our collective
liberation.
No prior experience with art, Qigong, or meditation is needed — just curiosity, an open heart,
and a willingness to explore!
Leaders:
Mandy Neff has served as a UU religious educator for 4 congregations over a 25-year career. She is the author of several curricula for youth. She has served as the President of New England LREDA and currently sits on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Mandy is a Spiritual Director certified by Still Harbor Chaplains for Justice. She believes that immersive retreats and camps are one of the most powerful ways to build spiritual community and foster strong faith identity and development.
Ashley Baldwin is a Senior Instructor and core team-member with the Thai Qi Holistics international healing & education center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since 2017, she has been empowering others through her practice to recognize, accept, and transform the habitual body posture, movement, and breathing patterns which cause daily discomfort, both physically and mentally, in daily life, toward a state of optimal well-being. Raised a UU, Ashley enjoys facilitating self-inquiry through embodied experience, as she understands that body, mind, and spiritual health are dynamically connected. Having lived in Thailand for over 7 years, Ashley currently resides on Long Island, New York, where, through her holistic practice, she is bridging a connection between Eastern spirituality & traditional medicine, and her home community.
Young Adults Group Free to Attend
Ferry Beach RE Week is blessed with a thriving Young Adult community and whether you're a newcomer or a longtime attendee, you will find a warm and nurturing place to connect with your like-hearted peers! Young Adults gather every morning in their own space to build community, engage in guided and informal chats, play games, and collectively shape their time together how they want it to be. The group often decides on organizing afternoon and evening activities together, including off-campus nature walks, meals, and fun at the nearby carnival. Young Adults are also a vital part of the ministry and cherished activities at RE Week, acting as judges for the annual Banathalon on Thursday afternoon and being the first to greet the newly Bridged youth into the Young Adult community on Thursday evening. And be sure to come for the yearly Adults vs. Young Adults Bum Volleyball tournament on an evening to be determined!
Leader:
Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson, no pronouns, has been a religious professional with the Unitarian Universalist Faith for over a decade. Rayla is currently the Director of Religious Education for First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. Rayla is an avid writer and contributes to many articles and blogs for the UUA. In Rayla's free time, Rayla enjoys reading, writing, cooking, baking, traveling and playing board and card games.
Ferry Beach RE Week is blessed with a thriving Young Adult community and whether you're a newcomer or a longtime attendee, you will find a warm and nurturing place to connect with your like-hearted peers! Young Adults gather every morning in their own space to build community, engage in guided and informal chats, play games, and collectively shape their time together how they want it to be. The group often decides on organizing afternoon and evening activities together, including off-campus nature walks, meals, and fun at the nearby carnival. Young Adults are also a vital part of the ministry and cherished activities at RE Week, acting as judges for the annual Banathalon on Thursday afternoon and being the first to greet the newly Bridged youth into the Young Adult community on Thursday evening. And be sure to come for the yearly Adults vs. Young Adults Bum Volleyball tournament on an evening to be determined!
Leader:
Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson, no pronouns, has been a religious professional with the Unitarian Universalist Faith for over a decade. Rayla is currently the Director of Religious Education for First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. Rayla is an avid writer and contributes to many articles and blogs for the UUA. In Rayla's free time, Rayla enjoys reading, writing, cooking, baking, traveling and playing board and card games.
Children's Program Free to Attend
Our children’s program offers a safe space for children to build friendships and explore activities in the areas of art, yoga, team building through group games, ecology, and music. There is a mix of activities as a small group and activities with the adult workshops which fosters multigenerational. Children will be able to develop their interest in the outdoors, connect with nature, and have fun!
Participants are grouped into age bands and travel from activity to activity with their group leader. They start the morning with one session, break for snack and singing on DeWolfe porch, then finish the morning with a second session.
Group leaders:
-Ellenor Barish
-Morgan Neff-Gatchell
-Rebecca Reid
-Asa Spring
-Mara Vorhees
Our children’s program offers a safe space for children to build friendships and explore activities in the areas of art, yoga, team building through group games, ecology, and music. There is a mix of activities as a small group and activities with the adult workshops which fosters multigenerational. Children will be able to develop their interest in the outdoors, connect with nature, and have fun!
Participants are grouped into age bands and travel from activity to activity with their group leader. They start the morning with one session, break for snack and singing on DeWolfe porch, then finish the morning with a second session.
Group leaders:
-Ellenor Barish
-Morgan Neff-Gatchell
-Rebecca Reid
-Asa Spring
-Mara Vorhees
Juniors Youth Group Free to Attend
Lauren Strauss & Kelly Sarazen
The Junior Youth Group is a place where we hang out, get to know each other, and have a lot of fun! Kelly and Lauren are looking forward to spending a week exploring the Beach, creating art, building relationships, and examining the world through the lens of human beings who inhabit a world that needs our stewardship, our cooperation, and our collaboration with our Junior Youth members.
Highlights will include the Banathlon, the Jetty Walk, and Bum Volleyball with Senior Youth, time in the art cabin, music and movement, and lots of traditional games and activities. We’ll be building personal meditation spaces and spending time developing and enhancing lasting friendships.
Leaders:
Lauren Strauss is a mom, long-time RE Week attendee, and works as a Religious Educator at the Framingham, MA UU congregation. Her driver’s license says she is in her 50s but her soul is 12. She’s good at arts & crafts of all kinds, will probably face-plant on the Jetty Walk, and plays ukulele and sings (sometimes making up the words and tunes about the stuff going on around her).
Kelly Sarazen is a mom to three wonderful humans, two of which will be at Ferry Beach with her this year. Kelly is a Special Education Teacher and has been attending Ferry Beach for about 7 years. Kelly loves to read and watch bad TV in between taxi runs for her kids. She is excited to work with Junior Youth this year and hopes that she can stay awake long enough in the evenings to get through our evening activities.
Lauren Strauss & Kelly Sarazen
The Junior Youth Group is a place where we hang out, get to know each other, and have a lot of fun! Kelly and Lauren are looking forward to spending a week exploring the Beach, creating art, building relationships, and examining the world through the lens of human beings who inhabit a world that needs our stewardship, our cooperation, and our collaboration with our Junior Youth members.
Highlights will include the Banathlon, the Jetty Walk, and Bum Volleyball with Senior Youth, time in the art cabin, music and movement, and lots of traditional games and activities. We’ll be building personal meditation spaces and spending time developing and enhancing lasting friendships.
Leaders:
Lauren Strauss is a mom, long-time RE Week attendee, and works as a Religious Educator at the Framingham, MA UU congregation. Her driver’s license says she is in her 50s but her soul is 12. She’s good at arts & crafts of all kinds, will probably face-plant on the Jetty Walk, and plays ukulele and sings (sometimes making up the words and tunes about the stuff going on around her).
Kelly Sarazen is a mom to three wonderful humans, two of which will be at Ferry Beach with her this year. Kelly is a Special Education Teacher and has been attending Ferry Beach for about 7 years. Kelly loves to read and watch bad TV in between taxi runs for her kids. She is excited to work with Junior Youth this year and hopes that she can stay awake long enough in the evenings to get through our evening activities.
Senior Youth Group Free to Attend
Dawn Jones and Jil Novenski
Senior youth group offers a safe space for friendship, growth, and self exploration. We look forward to community building games like the Grocery Game, Wah, Silent Football, and Mafia. Deep discussions are facilitated with debate spectrum and fish bowl. Perennial favorites are decorating the campus with painter's tape, secret buddy gifting, ghost stories, music with Laurie and the Littles, and the jetty walk with a stop at the general store in Camp Ellis. The jetty walk is a chance to bond with Junior Youth, as is Bum Volleyball. Leadership opportunities arise in sand castle judging, leading improv night, planning and running Spirit Circle, planning the Banathalon, and planning and directing a talent show act. And doesn't everyone wonder what quotes Dawn will offer next? We celebrate the week by ending with a sparkle party and building a yarn web during our secret buddy reveal. And there's always room for new and different activities as the interests of the group shift over time.
Leaders:
Dawn is a mom, professional entertainer, and seasoned world traveler. She has theatre, circus, and party skills, and is a superb organizer. She has led the senior youth at Ferry Beach for about 12 years, but has lost track of the exact number.
Jil Novenski (she/her) is the DRE for Children & Youth at The Community Church of New York, where she has served as a Religious Educator since 2007. She is also an artist, activist and single mom to two beautiful young adults. Jil serves on the Nominating Committee for Continental LREDA, is a Co-founder of the UU Kids Connect Collaborative and Designer of the ALL8 Youth Photography & Arts Workshops. On any given day you may find Jil painting her face, photographing random street art or adding plans to her never-ending folder of million-dollar ideas.
Dawn Jones and Jil Novenski
Senior youth group offers a safe space for friendship, growth, and self exploration. We look forward to community building games like the Grocery Game, Wah, Silent Football, and Mafia. Deep discussions are facilitated with debate spectrum and fish bowl. Perennial favorites are decorating the campus with painter's tape, secret buddy gifting, ghost stories, music with Laurie and the Littles, and the jetty walk with a stop at the general store in Camp Ellis. The jetty walk is a chance to bond with Junior Youth, as is Bum Volleyball. Leadership opportunities arise in sand castle judging, leading improv night, planning and running Spirit Circle, planning the Banathalon, and planning and directing a talent show act. And doesn't everyone wonder what quotes Dawn will offer next? We celebrate the week by ending with a sparkle party and building a yarn web during our secret buddy reveal. And there's always room for new and different activities as the interests of the group shift over time.
Leaders:
Dawn is a mom, professional entertainer, and seasoned world traveler. She has theatre, circus, and party skills, and is a superb organizer. She has led the senior youth at Ferry Beach for about 12 years, but has lost track of the exact number.
Jil Novenski (she/her) is the DRE for Children & Youth at The Community Church of New York, where she has served as a Religious Educator since 2007. She is also an artist, activist and single mom to two beautiful young adults. Jil serves on the Nominating Committee for Continental LREDA, is a Co-founder of the UU Kids Connect Collaborative and Designer of the ALL8 Youth Photography & Arts Workshops. On any given day you may find Jil painting her face, photographing random street art or adding plans to her never-ending folder of million-dollar ideas.
Bridging Workshop Free to Attend
Yvonne Marcoux
The Bridging Workshop is a dynamic space for incoming high school seniors that helps them reflect on their spiritual identity and practices in a supportive Unitarian Universalist context. Unfolding in three phases—history and theology, reflecting on shared spiritual values and practices, and articulating those values in a personally meaningful way—the workshop provides the resources for deep exploration of faith and community. This space is set up to offer a container for youth to ask a lot of questions. The workshop culminates with the annual ritual of bridging: the youth give a statement of faith and the community acknowledges them as an incoming member of the young adult community.
Yvonne is a raised UU young adult and longtime member of the RE week community. She is a cyclist, an ultimate Frisbee player, and a cofounder of the UU Young Adult Revival Network. Yvonne currently lives in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Yvonne Marcoux
The Bridging Workshop is a dynamic space for incoming high school seniors that helps them reflect on their spiritual identity and practices in a supportive Unitarian Universalist context. Unfolding in three phases—history and theology, reflecting on shared spiritual values and practices, and articulating those values in a personally meaningful way—the workshop provides the resources for deep exploration of faith and community. This space is set up to offer a container for youth to ask a lot of questions. The workshop culminates with the annual ritual of bridging: the youth give a statement of faith and the community acknowledges them as an incoming member of the young adult community.
Yvonne is a raised UU young adult and longtime member of the RE week community. She is a cyclist, an ultimate Frisbee player, and a cofounder of the UU Young Adult Revival Network. Yvonne currently lives in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Conference Leadership
Coordinators:
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Rev. Jennifer Innis
Rev. Jennifer Innis (she/her) joins us from Peoria, IL where she enjoys life with her spouse the Reverend Patrick Price and their two children. She is happy to be the minister with the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria. She also is the Director for Spirit Play, a story-based program for young children in Unitarian Universalism. Jennifer is a 3rd generation UU who grew up in Central Massachusetts. Ferry Beach has been part of her family life for a long time. She is glad to serve as the newest member of the RE Week Coordinator team. |
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Nick Woodward
Nick Woodward (He/Him) comes to us in his thirtieth summer of RE Week and his first year as part of the Coordinator Team. Nick was raised UU and started coming to Ferry Beach in early childhood with his family. He considers the RE Week community to be part of his family, and he is looking forward to stepping into his new leadership role surrounded by people he loves and trusts. He enjoys cooking, gardening, building robots, and ice cream. |
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Karina Paxton Filoteo
Karina Paxton Filoteo (she/her) is a senior in high school from Chicago. She was introduced to UU as a young child at the UU Fellowship of Plattsburgh and is currently a congregant at Second Unitarian Church (2U) in Chicago. At 2U, she completed Coming of Age and went to Boston with her youth group to learn about UU’s roots. Karina has attended RE week since she was eight years old. RE week has existed as a place for relaxing, connecting, and growth for her. As one of the newest members of the RE Week Coordinator team, she is excited to take on the new challenge of coordinating for RE week and supporting this inclusive and fun community she grew up in. |
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Carson Jones
Carson Jones (he/him/his) is the Lifespan Religious Education Coordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock. He also serves as a member of the Metro New York Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) Chapter Leadership Team, and the Continental LREDA Nominating Committee, also known as the NomCom-icorns. Carson is currently a Religious Education Credentialing candidate with the Unitarian Universalist Association and is a trained Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality educator at the elementary and adult levels. Throughout his career, Carson has tirelessly advocated for women’s rights, transgender inclusion, AIDS activism, and racial and economic justice. Carson has worked extensively in theatre and loves to sing. He has attended Ferry Beach with his family for 14 summers and this is their UU happy place. This is Carson’s fourth year as RE Week co-coordinator and helping to grow the souls of children, youth, and adults brings him infinite joy. |
Minister of the Week:
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Rev. Dr. Greg Boyd
Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd (he/him) is a Religious Educator Credentialed at the Leadership Level. He serves our UU congregation in Honolulu, HI as Director of Religious Education and Worship. He also serves our wider Association as a LREDA Good Officer and Religious Education Credentialing Program Mentor. Greg loves to dance and to spend time with the special young people in his life. In his free time, Greg researches and writes racial justice, religious education, and sexuality education curricula. |
Musician of the Week:
Musicians of the Week: Glenn Rivard and Maeve McClusky
Glenn Rivard and Maeve McCluskey will be our Musicians of the Week. Maeve will be our official choir director. She is very excited to work with choir members old and new! We thank Laurie Loosigian for being such a generous Musician of the Week for so many years. There will be a chance to celebrate Laurie in person during RE Week.
Glenn Rivard and Maeve McCluskey will be our Musicians of the Week. Maeve will be our official choir director. She is very excited to work with choir members old and new! We thank Laurie Loosigian for being such a generous Musician of the Week for so many years. There will be a chance to celebrate Laurie in person during RE Week.
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Maeve McCluskey
Maeve McCluskey (she/they) is a Boston-area actor, vocalist, and comedian, as well as a current continuing education student of animation at the Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt). This may only be Maeve's third summer at the Beach (and only their second full RE Week), but she has found a home with the RE Week community and is thrilled to be joining leadership as Choir Director. Working as Choir Assistant to our beloved Laurie Loosigian last year, Maeve is excited and eager to step up into their new role this year and share their love and knowledge of music with the congregation. She hopes you will enjoy the music selections this year, and invites you to come and join the choir for Chapel! |
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Glenn Rivard
Glenn Rivard has been playing guitar since Jimmy Carter was in the Oval Office - that's 45+ years to save you from having to do the math. More recently he can be heard occasionally filling in as the musician for Sunday services at his UU home church in Sharon, MA and playing in a few monthly jams in his area. He has been learning to play the mountain dulcimer as well in the past few years. |
Pricing
Conference Package (Pricing per Person) |
Conference Package for Lodgers: Adult: $546 (Includes Conference Fees + Daily Meals) Youth: $432 (Includes Conference Fees + Daily Meals) Meals are included, there is no way to separate meals from the package price. Note: Lodging is not included in the conference package price, it's added on, the price varies depending on your desired lodging accommodation, see below. |
Lodging |
Lodging Prices Vary Base on Selection. See our Lodging Page for pricing information. |
Membership |
Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. Individual Membership: $40 Family Membership: $65 See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership. You can also renew your membership on your reservation. |
Register |
To register online click here, by phone, call the office at 207-282-4489 You can also email [email protected]. |
Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
