Britain Yearly Meeting Junior Yearly Meeting 2006 Epistle

April 2006

To all Friends everywhere,

A very anticipant group of young people met for Junior Yearly Meeting in Croydon to explore the theme:

“Exploring the self in an unselfish way, living truthfully in challenging times and developing our identity.”

We felt that the theme was particularly appropriate because we are at a stage in our lives where we are searching for our identity and making important choices. We became more aware of the complexity of the theme as we grew together within the security of JYM. What started out as a simple question turned out to have many layers.

The team of under 20s and over 20s, who came together for 24 hours before the event, became pillars on which the community was built. The programme was varied, allowing time for discussions, speakers and a simulation. Base group meetings helped to spread a sense of belonging with a supportive, trusting atmosphere.

Through a role-play exercise we were able to take on identities different to our own, and were faced with the task of finding those who shared our new identity. We found that it was difficult not to stereotype in order to match ourselves up, and we discovered that lots of different types of people have the same values.

Interactive speaker sessions gave us the opportunity to hear people’s own experiences around the theme, and we learnt that it can be difficult to put religion into our own lives, especially for those whose work can challenge who they are and what they believe. We found the small group speaker sessions insightful and were able to explore more about identity and how it related to more specific topics that interested us.

We felt a strong sense of worship throughout the event. This created a basis on which to learn about our identities both individually and as a whole. Deep and powerful epilogues provided time and space for spiritual reflection in which many of us were moved to minister.

It shone through how included people felt within the Religious Society of Friends by coming to JYM. During a business session we considered the questions, “What do we as young Friends feel about our engagement in and our influence on the Religious Society of Friends? How can this be strengthened?”. The minute written reflected the understanding we have as we make the journey towards adulthood.

The packed programme was complimented in the in the evenings by lively and fun social sessions. The ceilidh encouraged mixing through energetic dancing, and a base group challenge night strengthened connections.

We go home tired but spiritually refreshed and challenged to become more involved within the Society.

Signed in and on behalf of Junior Yearly Meeting 2006

Martin Clarke and Helen Sladen
Clerks