TEC Encounter, the TEC family’s international three-day gathering for fellowship, prayer, networking, and learning, met in-person-- a joyful event following over a year of only virtual experiences. For those who could not attend in-person, a virtual component allowed attendees to participate remotely in real time with the regular programming. From July 16-18, host team Sunflower TEC welcomed friends from 25 different TEC centers to the Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, KS, where they explored just how we can plant, cultivate, and nurture our faith.
Keynote speaker Sarah Jarzembowski invited listeners to consider what God wants us to cultivate in ourselves, not just during Sunday mass, but during the rest of our “Monday through Saturday” lives. How can we cultivate openness to the Spirit, to an encounter with the Lord, to being comfortable amidst discomfort, and more? In a special connection to TEC, Sarah shared her own wheat letters, showing how many of the answers could be found on a TEC weekend. Along with Sarah, witness speakers Andrea Roggenkamp, Alison Roggenkamp, and Thomas Bagley all shared their own means of planting and nurturing their faith lives.
Both in-person and virtual attendees were able to choose breakout sessions, whether formative, collaborative, or spiritual. After the day of breakouts, Archbishop Joseph Naumann celebrated mass, which was livestreamed for all participants. Those in attendance at the Agape Dinner were then treated to local barbeque, and after dinner, Steven Polley (Dodge City TEC) was honored with the 2021 Heritage Award. Auctioneers rounded out the evening with the live auction and officially closed the silent auction, where bidding took place entirely online for the first time! This new opportunity allowed people to bid on items even when they couldn’t be physically present at Encounter. After the auctions closed, Sunflower TEC hosted a trivia night and fellowship time for guests to enjoy.
Executive Director Billy O’Regan wrapped up Encounter on Sunday morning with his annual State of the TEC Conference address. He addressed the struggles and successes of TEC centers during the pandemic, the place of virtual ministry within the TEC movement, and gave a preview of the newly revised morning prayer services from the Spirituality Ministry Team.
The success of Encounter 2021 is thanks to the many volunteers who worked for months on end to make the event a reality. Thank you to Sunflower TEC, the national planning ministry team, the participants who attended both in-person and virtually, and all those who prayed, donated, or supported the event from near and far. We look forward with great joy to more in-person events soon and especially hope to see everyone again next year at Encounter 2022 in Champaign, IL, from July 15-17, 2022!
