Children explore community at Yearly Meeting
Children gathered to explore the theme 'What is community?' alongside adults at the additional day of Yearly Meeting which was held in London and online.
Eight children and some older Friends spent time together discovering more about 'what community is' through story, song, worship, craft and a feast.
Exploring the question, 'What is community?' The group responded with the sense 'It's a place for you and me. We can help each other along, building bonds that are strong - we all are neighbours here.'
The group saw diversity in community through the story, 'We are all neighbours, ' by Alex Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman; and similarity among them when we played 'The sun shines on'. The children thought about how to make new people feel welcome and wondered what they might need to feel comfortable?
The group then put all this thinking into practice when they welcomed the teenage programme, who were meeting in the room next door for a feast. The room was tidied, banners made, upside down bunting hung, biscuits decorated, and music played to welcome in the teenagers and share some time together. The gathered group ended their day together watching amazing clownfish teamwork in action.
The group wondered what can Quaker communities learn from these inspirational fish who collaborate so their community can grow and flourish?