To Friends
Everywhere,
It is midsummer,
and the Nordic nights are light and balmy.
At the Nordic Folk
High School, surrounded by the natural beauty of Kungalv, Sweden, Friends from
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have for the first time gathered for a
joint yearly meeting together with friends of Friends and foreign guests. The
Nordic Folk High School has Quaker roots and strong traditions for Nordic
co-operation, and we felt as if we had come home. From 27.-30.06.2002 we have
enjoyed the fellowship of worship and conversation. What is fellowship, and how
can fellowship develop? In smaller groups and in plenary sessions we have
spoken about the role of fellowship and how it thrives.
Hans Eirik Aarek
reminded us of the strong fellowship which characterized early Friends. They
turned to the example of the first Christians and had a radical understanding
of their call to be the salt of the earth. We wish to let their understanding
continue to inspire us.
Kerstin Hackman
encouraged us to reflect on the glue that holds us together and enables us to
reach out to others who come seeking in our meeting. What unites Quakers of
different backgrounds and leads us to seek fellowship? Silent worship at its
core is experienced as wondrous and clear. In the silence God's will can emerge
to us and show us the way forward. Worship at the yearly meeting has been
powerful and memorable.
Erik Cleven spoke
to us about work with children and young people. He emphasized the importance
of communicating religious experience in an honest and genuine fashion. He also
spoke of the children's
need for a
religious language in which to express themselves.
The Nordic yearly
meeting has been a meeting of different nations, different languages and forms
of expression, and it has been a meeting of different generations. The role of
the many children in the meeting has been a source of profound joy. The
openness towards God's presence of the youngest children has evoked wonder and respect.
In the Gospels Jesus encourages us to be like children again, to be spontaneous
and receptive in our relationship to God. At the annual meeting the children's
religious expression has helped many of us to see the depth in this challenge.
The spiritual needs and potential of children can teach us a lot. We were all
encouraged to take time with the children.
The Yearly Meeting
has provided room for many good conversations and valuable moments of silence.
We have also enjoyed music, singing, dancing, juggling and work with clay.
Reflection has walked
hand in hand with
creativity. This has been a source of enrichment. The first joint Nordic yearly
meeting has come about as a result of great effort from committed individuals.
We are grateful to all who have participated in the planning, and we hope that
the gathering can be repeated.
It is midsummer,
and the Nordic nights are light and balmy.
We send our
thoughts and prayers to all whose everyday life is marked by darkness and
unrest. In particular we think of people in all parts of the world who continue
to live with insecurity and the threat of violence and terror. We pray that God
will strengthen all those who live in fear and hopelessness. The Gospels
promise us that God is with us each and every day. We wish to remind each other
of this promise.
On behalf of the four Nordic Yearly Meetings 25th day of sixth month
2000
Antti Alhonsaari – Finland
Marit Kromberg – Norway
Fredrik Ern – Sweden