The high school students participated in a Happening weekend, a three-day event where Christians bond in a relaxed atmosphere through sharing, learning and discussing spiritual ideas.

"I thought it was awesome," said Eleanor Moody, 17, a member of Holy Comforter. "I am extremely tired."

She described the weekend as containing a "bunch of talks about faith" and could not name the best part.

"The whole weekend was the best part of the weekend," Moody said.

The Happening weekend is a tradition within the Episcopal Church.

The staff of Happening is made up primarily of teenagers who have experienced their own Happening weekend.

Throughout the three days, Happeners sing, share, play, worship and pray.

There were almost 60 students who participated in the Montgomery event.

Happening takes place in communities across the state. The next Happening will be June 16 in Alexander City.

Parents were encouraged to surprise their children by greeting them at Church of the Holy Comforter for a closing Eucharist.

They cheered and sang as the Happeners skipped into the sanctuary hand-in-hand.

"She seems like she had a really great time and made a lot of friends," said Beth Lewis of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Birmingham.

She was at the church to greet her daughter, Kristan Lewis. "She's kind of bubbly, but tired."