ABOUT THE HNC

What is the HNC?

The HNC, or Happening National Committee, is a group of committed youth, adults, and clergy who meet regularly as the Executive body of HNI, Happening National Incorporated. The serve the total Happening, A Christian Experience community as a resource as well as to plan the next National Happening Leadership Conference, NHLC, a biennial gathering for Happening leaders, high school youth, lay adults, and clergy from all over the nation and world.

Who is on the committee currently?

The 2018 - 2020+ (due to Covid-19) committee includes:

  • The Executive Committee: Krisan Lamberti (Executive Director; Diocese of Southeast Florida), Matthew Bowers (Vice President/Conference Coordinator; Diocese of Southeast Florida), Rick Peete (Secretary; Diocese of Chicago), Lindsey Hill (Treasurer; Lutheran Happening of the South).

  • Youth: London Harper (Diocese of Lexington), Amanda Colburn (Diocese of West Missouri, Rosie Garza (Diocese of West Missouri, Claire Ramos (Diocese of West Texas), Cameron Bowley (Diocese of Alabama), Hayden Hardaway (Diocese of West Texas), Ben Horman (Diocese of Lexington)

  • Adults: Joshawa Trader (Diocese of West Missouri), Catherine “CPo” Poellnitz (Diocese of Alabama), Billy Bennett (Diocese of Lexington), Sally Paris Benton (Diocese of Atlanta)

  • Clergy: The Rev. Blake Woods (Diocese of Oklahoma)

We come together from all over the country and represent Happening programs through the Episcopal Church and Lutheran Church.

When does the committee meet?

The committee meets twice each year in-person, one time in the winter or spring and one time in the fall. These meetings span Thursday-Sunday, including time for travel, plenty of work, and a little bit of adventure in our given venue. Occasionally, we gather via Zoom.

What goes on during the committee meetings?

Each meeting is focused on tasks that pertain to the planning of NHLC. There are times to brainstorm and plan, as well as times to listen to each other while talks and workshops are prepared. Each member has certain roles during the meeting, and the youth play a very active role in every aspect. Beyond all the work, meetings are full of fun times, as well as opportunities to worship and break bread together.

What are the requirements of participants on the HNC?

Members are required to be active in their local diocesan Happening program, as well as to be diligent in attending our committee meetings. There are only four of these between conferences, which means that each must involve detailed and focused work; it is vital that committee members attend these meetings. We maintain a positive attitude about our roles on the committee and communicate with each other regularly, including praying for one another between meetings.

How can a Happener become a member of the HNC?

We select members for the new committee at the NHLC every two years; the members selected at NHLC 2020 will be in charge of planning the 2022 conference. Applications will be available on the website and at the conference itself, at which time the current HNC will prayerfully select new members to replace the outgoing members. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NHLC 2020, was postponed; the new dates will be announced as soon as we are confident that it is safe to gather from the various areas. Those elected in 2018 have individually and collectively agreed to serve until the next election.