Queries from PYM Faith and Practice are read at the beginning of worship each month at my meeting; one of the youth in our Young People’s Group is the reader. In May, they were the ones about religious education: Nurturing Our Community: Religious Education in the Home and Meeting. As we think about returning to weekly programs for our children and youth, what guidance do these queries offer? This summer is a moment to pause and consider the experiences and lessons of these past months and how they might shape our programs and support for young Friends and families in our meetings. The PYM queries ask us is place in the center of our religious education programs preparation, formation, and belonging.
[Read more…] about Part 2: Where are we going? Supporting Families and Religious Education
Youth
Young Friends Welcome Program Assistant
Following an extensive search process and interviews with several finalist candidates, PYM Youth Programs are delighted to welcome Aeryn Luminkith as the new Assistant in the Young Friends program. She will begin her work with Young Friends at their Christmas Gathering, December 27-30. We’re really pleased to welcome her to the staff team. Aeryn brings experience with teens and younger youth, has worked as a teaching assistant, art teacher, tutor, and photographer. During the interview process, Aeryn impressed us with her warmth and concern for inclusive youth community, and her interest in creating a balance in programming between playful and grounded energy.
From Aeryn: While working at Greene Street Friends School over the past year, as an after school program assistant and substitute TA, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Quaker beliefs and values.The Quaker commitment to social justice and equality, where the voices of all community members carry the same weight, resonates very deeply with me. During my time at Greene Street, it has greatly influenced the ways that I interact with students, peers, and colleagues. I have multiple years of experience working with children and youth including two years working with high school students as a photography teacher and tutor in a non-profit youth center. I have also done LGBTQ advocacy work with non-profit organizations in this city. I strongly believe in supporting youth leadership and emotional development through fostering environments of mutual respect, understanding, and equal opportunities. Guiding youth to help them understand and dismantle systems of oppression is something that feels especially important to me, particularly when working with teens and young adults.
Young Friends program Facilitator Lori Sinitzky shared: “I’m excited to work with Aeryn as we plan and facilitate upcoming Young Friends gatherings together. Aeryn brings many gifts to our community, including experience with photography and a commitment to working with youth. I know we have fun times ahead!”
Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Gathering: Joy in Community
Friends in the Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting (USQM) met for the Fall Family Gathering at Crystal Lake on September 21-23, 2018. To our joy, we welcomed in 28 children, a wonderful bounty of young energy and activity. Workshops included:
- Personal reflections on the spiritual journey through prison, by Mujedded Muhammad of Columbus, OH
- Centering Prayer, with Lynne Graham of Wellsboro
- Hidden Bias, by Becky Misangyi of State College
- And a presentation on political action and lobbying given by Christine Ashley, from FCNL.
For the second year in a row, the Upper Susquehanna Quarter joyfully supported the life of the Quarter with financial subsidies. The actual cost per person this year was $95. However, we asked for only $30 for each individual, and a small amount more for families. We’ve received many young families at Quarterly Meeting, which we find heartening. Many of the families in attendance have been coming to Quaker Meeting for less than five years! Though we cannot continue the financial subsidies forever, they have breathed new life into the Quarter.
Written by Johanna Jackson, Upper Susquehanna Quarter