‘ReNEWed’: Youth Explore Their Identity in Christ at New Beginnings

Held Sept. 19-21 at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park, the 2025 New Beginnings youth retreat invited middle and high school students to pause, reflect and be made new. The weekend, rooted in 1 John 3:1-2, centered on the truth that we are God’s beloved children: created, known and deeply loved. Through worship, conversation, prayer and shared laughter, students experienced a renewal of faith and a stronger sense of identity in Christ.

New Beginnings is a weekend retreat designed especially for middle school youth, offering space to explore faith, identity and relationships in a setting that’s safe, fun and led by peers. The 2025 retreat welcomed 44 youth and 14 adults from 17 churches across the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and even one from South Carolina. With worship, small groups, games and themed talks, a strong team of leaders anchored the event. These included clergy, youth ministers, high school students and young adults serving in leadership roles for the first time.

The biblical theme for the weekend, “ReNEWed,” reminded students that they are deeply loved children of God. They are called not only to belong, but to be transformed. Over the course of their time together, students heard talks and shared discussions around their most important relationships: with friends, siblings, parents and God. On Sunday, they explored what it means to be part of the Church and how to deepen their prayer life.

“I saw the kids opening their hearts to God and each other,” said the Rev. Dr. Rob Strenth, rector of St. Matthew’s, Orlando, who served as spiritual director for the weekend. “It was a profound spiritual experience witnessing all of this.” He added that the students’ prayers revealed a hunger to grow in faith and a willingness to be changed.

One of the unique aspects of New Beginnings is its intentional focus on youth leadership. Middle school students begin as participants, and many return as high school students to serve in leadership roles. This year, Junior Weekend Advisers Madeline Lafler and Evan Inabnett helped guide the weekend with humility and heart.

“To have witnessed the growth in these two students over the past few years and to watch them now lead with such dedication is a perfect example of the fruit that comes from these retreats,” said the Rev. Kevin Bartle, one of the three diocesan youth ministry coordinators and rector of St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando. “These kids want to dig into their faith, and they want to make a difference. We’re just giving them the space to do so.”

For many students, the most meaningful part of the weekend came during the hands-on prayer time on Sunday morning. As family groups prayed for one another, even the quietest students found their voices in words of encouragement and grace.

“I definitely saw kids come in silent and nervous, but when they left, they really had a community,” said Lafler, a member of St. Edward’s, Mount Dora. “Everyone I talked to plans on coming back!”

Trinity Viel, a high school student serving as a family group leader, who is also from St. Edward’s, shared how powerful that prayer time became for her. “It was amazing to just hear everyone saying such kind things and giving impactful prayers for everyone,” she said. “When it was my turn, they said I helped them come out of their shell. I’m not going to lie; they did make me cry a good bit!”

As students returned home from New Beginnings, they carried with them more than memories. They carried a renewed sense of who they are in Christ. The next opportunity to reconnect is Winter Camp, coming Jan. 2-4, 2026, at Camp Wingmann. Learn more and register at campwingmann.org. And check cfdioceseyouth.org for more details about diocesan youth ministry events.