Boating, baking, bird watching – and a hash brown crisis
As young Quakers (aged 11-15) tonight finish their packing (mostly snacks) for tomorrow's YP@YM residential, it's been a bumper month for other CYP activities across the UK.
In Birmingham, seven Quaker young people and four adults including local development worker Hilary Topp set off, (with some trepidation) early on a sunny Sunday morning for a day trip on a canal boat.
As well as taking turns to steer the boat, and opening and closing a drawbridge, the young people enjoyed painting candles, making friendship bracelets, bird-watching and baking chocolate cupcakes. Four of the young people are attending YP@YM (Young People at Yearly Meeting) so this was a perfect opportunity to get to know one another before the event. (Boat image: Quakers in Britain)
Over in Kidderminster, 49 young people aged 15-18 met for Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM), a residential event for young people combining fun social activities, spiritual engagement, and opportunities to make new friends. The event is run by young people and is supported by a team of Quakers in Britain staff as well as volunteer adults. This year they enjoyed quizzing, a ceilidh, aerial adventures, abseiling, raft building, archery and indoor caving. If that wasn't enough there was also patch making, talent sharing and spiritually thought-provoking sessions with facilitators Sasha Lawson-Frost, Paul Ingram and Emily Provance.
(Image of young people at Junior Yearly Meeting: Quakers in Britain)
Youngsters also enjoyed a shared Zoom Epilogue with young people from Ireland YM as well as the ever-popular bonfire Epilogue! There was drama on the Saturday morning when it was discovered there were no hash browns for breakfast, but despite this crisis, everyone had a fantastic time.
The theme of this year's JYM was 'in a divided world, are we living our values to foster acceptance and belonging?' The following are quotes from some of the young people who took part:
"We were challenged to think about whether ministry could ever feel angry or unsettling—if words come through us as vessels, is it still ministry when it carries anger, or does it become something else?"
"The adult volunteers encouraged us to be unapologetically passionate about what we love, reminding us that the ridiculous is something to be embraced—for our communities are richer when we bring our full, authentic selves."
"We thought deeply about the concepts of love and empathy, recognising their differences, and considering how we could extend love and empathy to all people in the world."
"Paul Ingram reminded us that working for meaningful change is often not about the outcome, but about the process. It's about breaking down barriers that prevent meaningful conversations from happening."
To learn more about the event, read the young people's epistle here
To read the minute from Junior Yearly Meeting click here
In East Anglia, 16 young Friends (ages 10-16) gathered with local development worker Jenny Gant at Bury St Edmunds Meeting House. The day, centered on fun, connection, and community-building began with a trip to a bowling alley followed by games, baking and crafting.
(Image of young people at Bury St Edmunds: Quakers in Britain)
Across the UK, these shared activities for children and young people create a strong sense of Quaker belonging and community. Young Friends learn how to support and encourage one another to overcome shyness and create a loving and spiritually nurturing environment in which to explore, question and grow.
If you would like help planning or facilitating your own event for children and young people, please get in contact with your Local or Youth Development Worker to see what they can offer.