A youthful Yearly Meeting
Jude Acton tells us what's on offer for children and young people at Yearly Meeting 2023.
Children and young people are a vital part of Yearly Meeting. They gather to look at its themes in age-appropriate ways, build community, explore Quaker faith and practice, experience worship and prayerful decision-making, and of course have lots of fun in a safe space.
Yearly Meeting is when Quakers in Britain come together to worship, make decisions and spend time as a community. It will take place this year from 28 April to 1 May, at Friends House in London. Its theme will be 'Releasing our energy so that we can follow the leadings of the Spirit, fulfil our purpose and build a better world'.
The Children's Programme (under 12s)
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She has been able to reconnect with other Quaker children and meet other Friends.
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The Children's Programme for those under 12 will meet in several rooms at Friends House throughout the weekend, at the same time as the main Yearly Meeting sessions. The rooms will be converted from conference space into glorious places for children to play, share, listen, discuss, and worship.
Crafts like Lego, books, trainsets and paint help children to explore creatively, while cushions, blankets and snacks form comfortable spaces. Volunteers and staff, who have worked together to devise a programme to engage the diversity of the children's needs, always provide a warm welcome. Every child is celebrated for their gifts, recognising the contributions they bring.
Parents fed back that "Having him well-supported helps me and he felt welcomed for who he is."
Each session will build on the last, with routines helping to establish community. We create safe boundaries with the children and meet individual needs through contact with the parents in advance and at each pick-up time.
Exploring the Yearly Meeting themes
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I was delighted to hear him talk about how you helped him find new ways to settle into worship.
- Parent of a six-year-old attendee
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From the very youngest, all age groups will get chances to thinking about the theme of Yearly Meeting, which might be introduced through stories, drama or song. Exploration of the theme will continue with games, craft, and discussion. Worship based in stillness might start with bubbles, candles, labyrinth drawing, centering exercises and can be brief, but will be deep and full.
Sessions can be energetic, with parachute games or juggling workshops, games of tig in the park or treasure hunts in nearby Tavistock Square. Other sessions might see the youngest members of our Quaker community asleep, in prams or on blankets.
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I feel like I'm constantly growing in confidence with each time I volunteer and it helps me to deepen my faith accordingly.
- An adult volunteer after Yearly Meeting 2022
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The balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of Friends House will be transformed with the help of some orange netting into a safe space where toddlers can ride tricycles, play with water or sand and be alongside each other and their adult supporters.
Truth and integrity with young people
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I enjoyed it a lot. There was time to spend with people and also time to spend learning about important things going on in the world. It was a fun, supportive environment where I could be myself and express who I am.
- A 2022 participant
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Young people aged 11–15 meet residentially, this year in Hemel Hempstead, again to explore Quaker faith, practice, current concerns and to build community. Their programme is developed by a committee appointed by their peers the previous year. Throughout the year these young people are supported by staff to create their own programme.
'Truth and Integrity', their theme for 2023, will be explored with speakers involved in Quaker communities and work, and as with the younger children through discussion, games, creativity and worship.
The site lends itself to outdoor activities, releasing energy, and engaging in nature. Inside Felden Lodge there is space, designed for youth and faith groups, to build community, with great home-cooked food and plenty of hot chocolate.
Accompanying for 15–18 year olds
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Yearly Meeting was really interesting and thought provoking, I liked being part of it and I felt welcomed and able to participate in Yearly Meeting.
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For young people aged 15–18, there are two opportunities to link to the topics of Yearly Meeting. Junior Yearly Meeting meets in April as a community of peers at a residential event. And, during the Yearly Meeting weekend in May, Accompanying for 15–18 year olds offers space for young people to meet up to attend Yearly Meeting in session together.
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It was more accessible being with a group of people I knew, or could relate to. I know what to expect at Yearly Meeting now and I felt more comfortable in YM sessions than I thought I would. It was really nice having a space that we could come back to together to gather.
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During free time there will be a dedicated space to meet up, build community and reflect on sessions through conversations and activities. In the evenings there will be community activities, including games, picnics and ice cream.
Accompanying is non-residential, those participating are required to have an adult (over 21) who is responsible for them where they are staying during the event.
Registering for Yearly Meeting
The Children's Programme and Accompanying offer can be booked by session while the Young People's Programme, which is a residential weekend, needs to be booked as a whole. Bookings for these close on 17 March. (All under-18s need to be booked onto their age-appropriate programme by a parent or guardian.)
