Rev. Aracelis Haye
Becoming Beacons: Spirit, Creativity, and the City
2026: “Becoming Beacons: Spirit, Creativity, and the City” is a three-day formative gathering that invites children and youth into a Spirit-led journey of identity, creativity, and community engagement. Inspired by Bezalel in Exodus 31, who was filled with the Spirit of God for artistic and sacred work, participants are guided to recognize their own God-given gifts as tools for service, expression, and transformation. Set within the coastal context of New London, Connecticut, a city marked by historic lighthouses and layered community narratives, this experience uses the imagery of light and guidance to help young people see themselves as active participants in the life of their city. Through a lighthouse cruise, reflective practices, and hands-on artistic creation, participants move through three movements: Being Filled (Spirit): cultivating awareness of God’s presence within them, Being Formed (Creativity): expressing their stories, emotions, and faith through art and Being Sent (City): engaging their local context with compassion, imagination, and purpose. In this way, the gathering becomes more than a day of activities; it becomes a space of spiritual formation, where young people begin to understand that they are not only part of the city, but are called to shine within it.
The new HUB Local Gatherings initiative supports the coordination of neighborhood or citywide gatherings by a network member to connect with other Christian leaders around a topic of inquiry, encouragement, and support related to ministry in the city. The gatherings are topical, contextual, and consider sustained engagement between or beyond the meetings themselves.
