For 8 years, Peggy Bland has served as Lay Director of Happening. This weekend (April 25-27, 2025), she will “retire,” and Bonnie Walton of St. Michael’s, Austin, will step into this leadership position.
We are excited to celebrate Peggy and her incredible service to the diocese, and we are equally excited to welcome Bonnie into her new role!
In honor of Peggy’s tireless work and dedication to Happening, Bonnie has written an article celebrating Peggy.
Full article below.
Author: Bonnie Walton, St. Michael’s, Austin
Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 14:22
It is with immense gratitude that the Happening community recognizes the remarkable tenure of Peggy Bland as Happening Director as she moves on to new leadership roles.
Eight years ago, Peggy volunteered for what is supposed to be a two-year term leading the Happening Steering Committee, which oversees retreats at two campsites for four weekends every year at Camp Allen.
In her role as Director, she was the first one in the campsites and the last to leave; she washed dirty towels, dirty dishes, moved furniture, mailed lost and found items to their owners and more. Two years came and went, and when no one stepped up to relieve her, she kept serving.
Then, Covid hit. For months, there was no Happening. Virtual and outdoor-only versions emerged, but attendance waned. This program—which relies predominantly on experienced youth teaching new participants how to facilitate the weekend—lost collective years of the generational knowledge required to operate.
With a handful of Happening alumni and the dedicated members of the Steering Committee (who have also faithfully served beyond their original two years), Peggy led the remnant of youth still involved as they started practically from scratch to rebuild the program.
For the last two and a half years with Peggy still at the helm, the dedicated members of the Happening Steering Committee have created space for hundreds of high school youth to connect, grow and lead. With Happening poised once again for abundant growth, I am humbled by the faithfulness of Peggy Bland and the Happening Steering Committee who have anchored this program through the last eight years.
Thank you, Peggy, for showing up for us, for modeling what it means to walk in love as Christ loved us.
We love you, and we’re praying for you.
Formation 