Overview
Please see our registration tab for our plans to have a safe 2021 MSC experience for everyone.
The last day to register for June Sessions is June 1st. The last day for July Sessions is June 22nd.
If you want a t-shirt included with your registration, the deadline for June Sessions is May 21st. The deadline for July Sessions is June 7th.
—2021 Dates—
Session 1 – June 17-20 (Gathered-At-Home option available)
Session 2 – June 22-25
Session 3 – July 8-11 (Gathered-At-Home option available)
Session 4 – July 13-16
Massanetta’s Middle School Conference transforms the faith journey of hundreds of middle schoolers from all around the country. Every aspect of this conference is crafted with middle schoolers in mind. Conference activities like keynote, recreation, encounter groups, and workshops are centered on the theme of the summer.
We promise it will be one of the best things your youth does all year!
For the first time we are offering Middle School Conference in two formats.
Gathered At Home - This option will allow youth groups to gather at their local church in smaller groups if conditions do not allow your youth group to travel this summer. It will include live and recorded content as well as an Encounter Group (small group) experience for each youth. More details on the format of the Gathered at Home option will be coming soon. This option will be offered even if conditions in the summer of 2021 do not allow us to host an in person conference. This option will also still be offered for Session 1 and Session 3 if we are allowed to host an in person event.
Each church registered for the Gathered at Home option will be mailed a Rooted In Love Kit. This kit will include conference t-shirts, resources, and other vital information to make your MSC experience amazing. (Please note, we can only guarantee conference t-shirts to those registered by the Rooted In Love Kit deadline)
Gathered In Person - With recent vaccine news, we are optimistic we will be able to offer a live, in person Middle School Conference. We do not yet know exactly what attendance or other restrictions might be in place, but it is our goal and sincere hope that Massanetta Springs comes alive again with the spirit-filled sound of Middle School Conference in 2021.
Please see our Registration tab for pricing and registration information.
This years’ theme is…
"I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV
What does it mean to be rooted in love? Are our actions and words rooted in love? How wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Christ? What could happen if that powerful love is put to work in our hearts and in the world? Explore these questions with us next summer!
Questions?
Call: 540-434-3829 & ask to speak to Anna Scott Myers
Email: registrar@massanettasprings.org
Click on our registration tab for more info about registration.
Registration
Registration will open in early January. Please read about our new pricing model below. If you have any questions, please call 540-434-3829 or email hospitality.intern@massanettasprings.org.
Summer 2021
No one yet knows what summer 2021 will bring in terms of pandemic, travel restrictions, and social distancing recommendations. While there is recent hopeful vaccine news, there are still a whole host of things that are out of our control.
What is in our control is to provide an excellent experience to each middler and adult participant as we have done since 1993.
Whether you are Gathered at Home with your local church or Gathered in Person here at Massanetta Springs, know summer 2021 will bring you an excellent “Rooted In Love” Middle School Conference (MSC) experience.
These uncertain times have placed unequal demands on church and family budgets. This is why we are offering flexible pricing options for our Gathered at Home and Gathered in Person experiences. No matter what flexible price point you choose, each participant will receive the same conference experience.*
*Churches may still apply for scholarship assistance regardless of which pricing option they choose. However, please note that any person receiving scholarship assistance will automatically be placed in the lowest flexible pricing option for their church’s chosen MSC experience.
Gathered at Home Pricing (Session 1 and Session 3 only)
Gathered at Home Flexible Price 1 - $135/youth or adult participant – This is a subsidized rate for the Virtual MSC Experience. You may be surprised to learn that this rate does not reflect what it “really costs” to offer MSC. This reduced rate is made possible through the mission funding dollars we receive from the generosity of churches, individuals, foundations, etc., who value the impact that the experience has on children, youth, individuals, and families. (If we move to Stage 3 or 4 with the MSC in 2021, and your congregation decides to move to in person conferencing you would need to choose from one of the Gathered in Person Pricing Options.)
Gathered at Home Flexible Price 2 - $185/youth or adult participant – more closely reflects what it “really costs” to offer MSC; however, it is a partially subsidized rate. It’s an opportunity for you to choose to pay a little more. In doing so, you help support the ongoing ministry of Massanetta. (If we move to Stage 3 or 4 with the MSC in 2021, and your congregation decides to change to in person conferencing, you would need to choose from one of the Gathered in Person Pricing Options.)
Gathered at Home Flexible Price 3 - $379/youth or adult participant - For the Virtual MSC Experience, this is the highest amount equal to the lowest flexible price for in-person conferencing. This price point not only supports your youth’s MSC experience, it also supports Massanetta Springs’ 2021 ministry in other significant ways. (If in person conferencing becomes available, your congregation can either choose to continue to pay this rate, or choose Flexible Price 2 or 3 from the Gathered in Person Pricing.)
Gathered in Person Pricing
If pandemic restrictions in Virginia or your home state make it impossible for you to attend an in person gathering, you will be able to keep the pricing you have signed up for to support Massanetta Springs’ ministry, or revise your decision to choose one of the “Gathered at Home” flexible pricing options.
Standard Gathered in Person pricing is for Richardson, Hotel Addition, and Cottage lodging. Subtract $55/participant for lodging in camp cabins.
Gathered in person pricing includes lodging meals from dinner on the first day of the conference to breakfast on the last day, and all conference activities.
Gathered in Person Flexible Price 1 - $379/youth or adult participant – This is a subsidized rate. You may be surprised to learn that this rate does not reflect what it “really costs” to offer MSC. This reduced rate is made possible through the mission funding dollars we receive from the generosity of churches, individuals, foundations, etc., who value the impact that the experience has on children, youth, individuals, and families.
Gathered in Person Flexible Price 2 - $417/youth or adult participant – more closely reflects what it “really costs” to offer MSC; however, it is a partially subsidized rate. It’s an opportunity for you to choose to pay a little more. In doing so, you help support the ongoing ministry of Massanetta Springs.
Gathered in Person Flexible Price 3 - $455/youth or adult participant - This higher amount more closely reflects what it actually costs Massanetta Springs to provide an experience for one youth or adult participant, including things like utilities, insurance, wear and tear of buildings, vehicle upkeep, maintaining the grounds, and replacing outdated equipment. Choosing this price gives you an opportunity to help us do more with the mission funding we receive. You help us stretch our limited scholarship funds further so more children can experience the life changing ministry of Massanetta Middle School Conference.
Payment Policy
Please read carefully as our policies have change
For Gathered at Home & Gathered in Person Options
75% payment for your total number of expected participants is due to Massanetta Springs no later than April 12 for registrations occurring before that date. 75% payment for registrations occurring after April 12 is due within 14 business days of registration.
Please note: With the possibility of restricted capacity for gathered in person options likely, failure to meet payment deadlines may result in your reservation being cancelled and your allocated slots given to those on the waitlist.
For Gathered at Home
Full payment is due at least three business days prior to receiving access to live streaming and recorded content. An advance packet including conference t-shirts and resources will be mailed to your church based on the number of participants we have registered at the time of mailing.
For Gathered in Person
While we encourage full payment at least seven (7) days prior to arrival, we know things may be changing right up to the last minute. So full payment for all participants is due upon arrival at Massanetta Springs for your Gathered In Person Experience.
Refunds
We know times are uncertain, so we have changed our refund policies to reflect that.
For Gathered In Person Options: A full, no questions asked, refund will be given to any cancellation of a participant or group if made more than seven (7) days before the start of your in person session. Within seven days of the start of your session, a full refund, less $75 will be given. Once the conference has started, there are generally no refunds.
If Massanetta Springs has to cancel the in-person option you have requested, you will be given the option of switching to Gathered at Home, and receiving a partial refund, or cancelling and receiving a full refund.
For Gathered At Home Options: A full, no questions asked, refund will be given to any cancellation of a participant or group if made more than 24 hours before the start of your session. Once your event has begun, there are generally no refunds.
For Any Option: If federal, state, or local restrictions prevent your group either from coming to Massanetta Springs, or gathering in a meaningful way at home, Massanetta will provide a full refund to your group if restrictions go into place before the start of the event. In the event restrictions go into effect while your session is happening, we will provide a partial refund if requested/desired.
We are taking COVID-19 very seriously and will be taking a little more time to get registration up for MSC 2021. Thank you for your patience! We will send out an email to past attendees as soon as we have a registration date. Questions? Feel free to call the office 540-434-3829.
Please follow the instructions below CAREFULLY.
Online Registration
Step 1: Your church/group leader must call the registrar 540-434-3829 or fill out this form with general group information and estimated numbers to reserve spaces for your group. We will then generate a “group hold code” and send it to your leader.
Step 2: Your church/group leader and all adult participants and parents should read this information packet in FULL. It contains critical information about the conference and registration, and includes copies of a couple other forms we will need from you (the housing preference form that leaders will need to fill out and the 2021 scholarship form if there is financial need).
Step 3: Once your church/group leader has the “group hold code,” they will distribute it to your group. Parents/guardians will be able to register their youth (completed 5th - 8th) and adult advisors will be able to register themselves using that “group hold code.” They will not pay individually online. The church/group leader will pay for everyone registered at once through the separate leader account. (Note that forms from the info packet will also be available through online registration for download and upload on your ‘dashboard’). Make sure you know what Flexible Price Option (or sub-program option) that your group should choose.
When you have the code…
Step 4: For church/group leaders only. Leaders will be able to log into their separate account to view who has registered and the remaining bill for the group. This is where the full group payment will be made.
Offline Registration
Doing stuff online isn’t your thing? No worries, we have kept the “old way” of registering for Middle School Conference available. Everything you will need as church/group leader and participant is available in this packet:
FAQ
We are offering new ways to attend Massanetta Middle School Conference in 2021. There will naturally be questions. While we don't know all the answers, here are some. Please note, even the answers below may be subject to change as we receive new information, but they are the best answers we can give you right now.
How can our group help Massanetta Springs make this new format as successful as possible?
Especially for those of you choosing the Gathered at Home option, keeping your numbers as close to the actual number of attendees as possible is really important. If we have to enact capacity restrictions due to COVID protocols, we want ever person possible to have an amazing MSC experience. If your group reserves 15 slots, but only has 7 who come, then it makes it harder for us to provided an experience for others.
What if Massanetta cancels the Gathered In Person option for the session we choose?
While we hope this isn't necessary, we recognize it may be. If Massanetta cancels the in person option for your session, you will be given three options. Option 1 - Switch to Gathered at Home. (See next question for details.) Option 2 - Switch to another Gathered In Person session with remaining capacity. Option 3 - Cancel your reservation and receive a full refund.
What if we originally chose Gathered In Person, but need to switch to Gathered at Home?
No problem. We can switch your reservation from Gathered At Home to Gathered In Person at any time. However, we do ask you to make changes as far out as possible, and at least seven (7) days in advance if at all possible so we do not order food for you. If you switch to Gathered at Home, you'll be given the opportunity to choose a new price tier. We will provide refunds for any applicable difference.
What if we originally chose Gathered at Home and want to switch to Gathered In Person?
As long as space is available for your desired session, again, there's no problem, we can switch your reservation up to seven (7) days before the event. (Switching inside that window may be possible, but would depend on food orders and other logistics.) If there is not currently space in our desired session, you are able to either choose another session, or be placed on the waiting list. If your switch to Gathered In Person is confirmed, you would select a new price point, and pay the related difference.
What if our desired Gathered In Person session is full when we register?
Initially, we are setting our capacities as conservatively as possible for Gathered In Person, so the sessions may fill quickly. However, if/when things begin to open up, we hope to adjust our capacities. If your desired Gathered In Person session is full, you may:
1) Sign up for another in person session with remaining capacity.
2) Sign up for a Gathered At Home session, and indicate your desire to be placed on the waiting list for Gathered In Person slots that may open up. New slots will be filled in order of date you were placed on the waiting list.
Advocate Program
Building Leaders who Love God, the Church, and the World
Each year Massanetta Springs invites 44 ministry-minded high school youth, called “Advocates” (formally called “Enablers”) to serve and lead within the Middle School Conferences. This dynamic leadership program provides a place where youth can lead alongside adults as mentors, facilitators, encouragers, older siblings, and faith friends.
Heralded as one of the strongest and most significant leadership tracks in the Church today, the Massanetta Springs Advocate Program changes the lives of younger youth who attend, empowers the faith of the older youth who serve, and creates for the Church a powerful witness to the work and faith of young people in the 21st century.
The Advocates are woven into the flow of every aspect of the conferences, unpacking the scripture in keynotes, organizing large group recreation activities, leading in worship, and building the conference community as they ARE the small group leaders.
The Advocate Program is entering its 29th year! It is with joy and thanksgiving that we acknowledge the hundreds of young adults who have been impacted by this program. Many continue in full time Christian ministry and a majority continue to worship, serve, and fellowship in faith communities around the nation.
Dates of commitment for the June conferences are June 14-26, 2021.
Dates of commitment for the July conferences are July 5-17, 2021.
Please note that due to the pandemic, we don’t know 100% yet about what next summer will look like. We may have to limit the number of Advocates we can accept. We may have to adapt and get creative. We will keep you in the loop. Thank you for your understanding.
June Leadership
June 17-20 and June 22-25
Co-Directors
Anna Owens
Anna has most recently served as the Associate Pastor and Campus Minister at First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, AL (War Eagle!). She now lives in Louisville, KY and is searching for a call while her husband pursues his Master of Divinity at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Anna has served Massanetta as a Workshop Director, and is so excited to serve as a Co-Director this year!
Mary Stees
Mary Stees is a K-2 public school music teacher in Bloomington, Indiana. She is a lifelong Massanetta enthusiast, having grown up attending the Bible and Church Music Conference, serving on the SALT planning team, working as a program intern, and being involved in various roles for the amazing Middle School Conferences! She is grateful for the opportunity to lead alongside Anna Owens as Co-Director this year!
KEYNOTE
Jess Felici
Jess Felici (she/her/hers, white, ELCA Lutheran) is a pastor to five congregations in rural West Virginia. She lives in Franklin, WV with her co-pastor spouse, their two children (ages 7 and 1), and their beagle, Tucker. She has been involved in youth ministry for 19 years and has a passion for lifting up the voices and experiences of young people in the Church. Jess is an artist who is always looking for ways to connect people creatively with the Good News. In no particular order, Jess is fond of hiking, kayaking, knock-knock & dad jokes, growing and eating vegetables, dogs, the rich stories of the Old Testament, and ice cream. Her work in ministry has been featured in Living Lutheran Magazine and the Washington Post. She is thrilled to spend time with people at Massanetta this summer!
Alice Rose Tewell
Alice Rose Tewell (she/her/hers, Chinese and white, living on the native land of the Piscataway, Nacotchtank, and Pamunkey peoples) is excited to serve as one of the keynoters this summer. Alice serves as Pastor at Clarendon Presbyterian in Arlington, VA, a small and mighty LGBTQIA+ celebrating congregation. As part of her work at Clarendon, Alice serves on the Strategy Team for V.O.I.C.E., a community organizing group working for affordable housing and justice for all. Alice lives with her wonderful husband, two young children (ages 7 and 3), and very old dog also in Arlington, VA. She has spent a lot of the last year with different hats: parent, teacher, co-pilot, pastor, preacher, community organizer, webmaster, video-editor, cook, marathoner, and beginning gardener and yogi. She is very much looking forward to this role as keynoter and to meeting you!
RECREATION
Hiram Pérez-Cordero
Hiram Pérez-Cordero is a lifelong Presbyterian. He is originally from Puerto Rico, but now calls Atlanta home, where he resides with his husband Cris. He is a Middle School Teacher in Marietta, GA and currently worships and serves at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. When he is not teaching, he is busy responding God’s call, being an elder in the PCUSA. He serves on the board of UKirk Atlanta, the New Church Development Commission of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and the PCUSA Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation.
Hiram calls Massanetta his summer home and has served as Workshop Director for many years. He is super excited to lead Recreation this year and is looking forward to exploring fun ways to gather and celebrate Christ’s kingdom living, rooted in love.
MUSIC
John Fawcett and Chris Vogado
This musical duo go way back. Here they are as music leaders for Middle School Conference 2014, “Beyond the Manger.”
Rev. John Fawcett comes from Raleigh, NC and went to Appalachian State for undergrad where he got a degree in Communication Broadcasting. After graduating and working at a local news station from 3a-9am, John realized this was not the life for him and discerned a call to ministry. In 2010 he began studies at Columbia Seminary where he met Christ Vogado and formed a friendship and musical connection that continues to the present. John grew up going to Massanetta conferences as a middle schooler and is looking forward to being part of the leadership team in 2021! When not thinking about outer space, looking for God in nature, or walking his dog named Ladybird Johnson, John spends his time as Associate Pastor at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church in Wake Forest, NC.
Rev. Christopher Vogado (Chris) was born and raised in Maryville, TN. True to his East Tennessee roots, he attended the University of Tennessee for an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies. Following college and a brief period as a Jazz musician, Chris attended Columbia Theological Seminary and received his Masters of Divinity. He was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) in 2014. Chris and his wife Rachel, who is also an ordained Presbyterian minister, live in Belmont, NC. When not at the church, Chris loves playing music in local bluegrass and jazz bands. He is always open for conversations about Bob Dylan, Nascar racing, social justice issues, and the Presbyterian Church.
July Leadership
July 8-11 and July 13-16
Co-Directors
Caroline Janes
Caroline currently lives in Concord, NC with her husband and their two crazy dogs. She works full time in Charlotte as a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Caroline first experienced Massanetta Springs as a middle schooler at the middle school conference, this experience then led her to serve as an advocate for three years. Recreation had become Caroline’s pride and joy and she has served as Rec Director for three middle school conferences. Caroline is thrilled to continue her journey as a Co-Director for the upcoming conference and can’t wait for you to meet this amazing group of leaders!
Matt Hartley
Matt Hartley is a proud Presbyterian and passionate promoter of Interfaith friendship. He is also a Florida Man who has been known to leap over Rattlesnakes. He loves Star Wars, Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, running Half-Marathons very slowly, and reading all the books. He takes joy in being Dad to his 10 year old son and 12 year old daughter (how is he already a parent of a middle schooler?!). Matt currently leads the Interfaith Center at University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and previously spent a decade as a Presbyterian youth minister, when he brought his youth to the Middle School Conference at Massanetta and served in leadership. He is a member of Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach. He is excited to be back at Massanetta with all y’all!
KEYNOTE
John Molina-Moore
The Rev. John Molina-Moore was called as the General Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery, May 2019.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Sterling College (2005), where he was a scholarship student in both music and athletics. He has a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (2011), where he won the “The Gerald R. Johnson Award in Speech Communication in Ministry” award in preaching and communications. In 2017, John completed a Certificate in Advanced Executive Leadership for Ministers from Howard University.
John was ordained by the Presbytery of Newcastle. He served pastorates at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church and Calvary Presbyterian Church, both located in Wilmington, Delaware. In National Capital, he has served as Stated Supply Pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church and Stated Supply Pastor for Community Life at Western Presbyterian Church.
Molina-Moore is an energetic, capable, inclusive, and visionary leader.
RECREATION
John Weicher
John Weicher believes deeply that if we can play together, then we can talk with each other. Throughout the journey of middle school, recreation is so very important for us to thrive and connect to each other… and to God. John loves to energize, plan games, adapt them on the fly, tell bad jokes, drink Cheerwine, and most importantly, play. John has been a past co-director of Massanetta Springs Middle School Conferences and recreation leader for Montreat Youth Conferences. He currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Their Families at First Presbyterian Church, Durham. Let’s play!
MUSIC
Megan Martin
Megan Martin is a child of Massanetta! The middle school conference is near and dear to her heart as she attended as a middler and has served on leadership in multiple capacities. Megan currently resides in Midlothian, VA with husband Scott and two children- Lydia and Tobias. She attends Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA where she first recognized her calling for music and ministry as a child. Megan is a Board Certified Music Therapist and works as an Expressive Arts Therapist at Snowden at Fredericksburg- a behavoiral health hospital. Megan is passionate about helping others express their love for Christ through music. In her spare time, she loves to watch Friends, go to as many Dave Matthews Band concerts as possible, and exercise!
