George Osgerby reports on the experiences of children and young people at Yearly Meeting Photo: Mike Pinches.
Different interpretations
George Osgerby reports on the experiences of children and young people at Yearly Meeting
Young Quakers were fully engaged at the University of Warwick from 29 July to 5 August as part of the Children and Young People’s activities programme, and also sharing experiences with Yearly Meeting Gathering 2017.
The New Shoots, aged under two, ‘learned to live adventurously’ when things do not go according to plan. They sang songs, read stories and played together: ‘We learned about kind hands and shared toys with each other.’
The Fox Cubs, aged from three to five years old, thought about building a better world: ‘We started our own community by deciding how to be with each other. We showed each other how we are all different and very special. Listening to stories helped us use our heads to think about lots of important problems. After lots of talking we decided to remember people who are homeless and hungry.’
The Penn Friends, for six- to seven-year-olds, ‘found out about ourselves and others by making people and putting them on our People Tree. We also drew around ourselves, put up the drawings and added to them during the week.’ They kept journals in which they recorded personal thoughts and kept creative work.
Light Explorers, for seven– to nine-year-olds, received visitors including Paul Parker, who read them a story. ‘The things we enjoyed most were making instruments, recycling materials, painting heads and making hearts.’ They explored the same theme as older Friends, and enjoyed thinking about how they could build a better world.
The Spiritual Adventurers, aged from nine to eleven years old, made new friends and explored different ways of worshipping. They, too, used their journals to record thoughts. ‘The Fox Cubs asked us to wear ribbons to remember the homeless and the hungry, and we welcomed Yearly Meeting elders and epistle drafters, who came to see what we were doing, and told us about their roles. We asked important questions in a philosophy session. Our question was: how do we know how to trust somebody?’
Forty-five young people aged eleven to fourteen, as part of the Young People’s Programme (YPP), spent a week considering: ‘What can young Quakers do with their beliefs?’ They mirrored the main session themes – Heart, Heads, Hands and Feet – but chose to interpret them differently.
Throughout the week, YPP participants attended main sessions, which some found challenging but interesting. A variety of speakers came to talk to them, including Swarthmore lecturer Catherine West MP. They also had active sessions, like Zumba and Capture the Flag, which developed the atmosphere of groups and encouraged them to talk in less daunting atmospheres.
On Sunday they considered: ‘Heart: understanding our beliefs.’ ‘We listened to George Lakey’s personal stories and participated in a base group challenge in which we got to know each other better. We then had a reflective arts and crafts session in which we contemplated how we view ourselves as young Quakers and things that have a space in our hearts.’
For Monday’s theme, ‘thinking about how we act (Head)’, the YPP were joined by a representative of the American Friends Service Committee who ‘told us a story that made us think about how what we do affects others and how everything is linked’.
Tuesday focused on Hands – ‘reaching out, what can we do?’ Junior Yearly Meeting ‘invited us to hunt Quakers [in costume] with them. Amongst those found were a pink unicorn, a ninja, a traffic light and a jellyfish.’
For Thursday’s theme: ‘We looked at our feet and where we leave our footprints. We looked at some of the aims of the UN with our peacemakers visitor and considered what we thought was most important and what we wished to do.’ They also looked at conscientious objectors during the first world war with Simon Colbeck. They ended the day with an outdoor epilogue in which many Young Friends were moved to minister.
***
Young Friends’ shared thoughts at Yearly Meeting
‘The theme “Building a better world” was a wonderful theme and sparked lots of discussion.’
‘Making friends helped me feel part of the group.’
‘I learned “to be happy” this week.’
‘I’m so sad, relieved and happy about the event ending. It has been one of the best experiences of my life and I’ve loved it. I feel so much more organised and confident.’
‘YPP is an incredible experience, one I would recommend to any young Quaker. It’s informative and very thought-provoking. The social aspect is also good. You can meet and become friends with people you’d never have known otherwise.’
‘The theme “What can young Quakers do with their beliefs?” helped me to learn what I stand for… Epilogues and reflective sessions helped me to develop a lot spiritually and made me think about my work.’
‘YPP has given me a greater understanding of Quakerism… it is very inclusive and we can make a difference. I learnt that I am capable of doing things and that I should just be myself.’
‘Silence with others really helps you connect with the rest of the people in the room, the community is more loving and accepting than any other I’ve known.’
‘One individual Quaker can do a lot, but a lot of Quakers can do more.’
Comments
Please login to add a comment
