Since Friday, I have been at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI for the New England Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker). I will be here until Thursday working as a full-time volunteer for the Young Friend's high school program. As a result, I will not be on-line much this week.
These teens amaze me, in fact, after being a part of their community two years ago, seeing their love and their integrity, I felt that I could once again be part of a spiritual group.
Here is an idea of the kind of teens I'm talking about. What are their biggest complaints about the worship service with the 800 or so adults? That there is not enough silence and that the messages shared in the meeting for worship are too personal and light. The teens would rather spend most of an hour in total stillness and silence punctuated with a very few messages and plenty of time to contemplate these messages.
They felt so strongely that about 1/3 of the 60 teens left meeting for worship half way through. Some of them then formed their own silent meeting for worship in the dorms. Later as a group, all the young friends approved a minute written by one of them which stated their concerns with a direct call for the adults to consider the youth's desire for a deeper worship experience.
Crazy amazing. To see them operate their meetings for worship with attention for business, to form committees to address peace and social justice, to encourage each other to not take to much food at meals so as not to waste, I wonder, where am I?
I am in good hands this week and feel certain that I will grow more deeply in my faith.
These teens amaze me, in fact, after being a part of their community two years ago, seeing their love and their integrity, I felt that I could once again be part of a spiritual group.
Here is an idea of the kind of teens I'm talking about. What are their biggest complaints about the worship service with the 800 or so adults? That there is not enough silence and that the messages shared in the meeting for worship are too personal and light. The teens would rather spend most of an hour in total stillness and silence punctuated with a very few messages and plenty of time to contemplate these messages.
They felt so strongely that about 1/3 of the 60 teens left meeting for worship half way through. Some of them then formed their own silent meeting for worship in the dorms. Later as a group, all the young friends approved a minute written by one of them which stated their concerns with a direct call for the adults to consider the youth's desire for a deeper worship experience.
Crazy amazing. To see them operate their meetings for worship with attention for business, to form committees to address peace and social justice, to encourage each other to not take to much food at meals so as not to waste, I wonder, where am I?
I am in good hands this week and feel certain that I will grow more deeply in my faith.
Comments
Wish I could join you. Feel agitated and restless. I should give this silence thing a try.
That said, I know the YF program is a lot more...programmed...and so there might not have been time afterwards. I was only at YM for a few days, but even I with my constitutional terror of teenagers saw a lot from them that inspired me and warmed my heart.
It was great to meet your for a few seconds yesterday, Peterson, and I enjoyed your workshop hugely.
--Amanda
Martin, I sent the word out to YFs that if they blog to let me know, and I will let you know.
Can't believe Yearly Meeting is almost over. It flew by, now I have to get ready for my gigs in Detroit.
My laptop crashed and I hope it can get fixed. YIKES.
Blessings,
Liz, The Good Raised Up
That said, I can't think it's a good idea to walk out of a meeting for worship while it's still in progress just to make a point. It seems like an extreme form of "answering" another's message (or many others' messages in this case). Holding another quiet meeting later sounds constructive, as does sending the minute to the YM.
Another possible approach might have been for the young Friends to try "youngering" (like eldering only different) individuals whose messages they found troubling, instead of criticizing the gathering as a whole. The advantage of one-on-one conversations is that (1)It doesn't paint everyone with the same brush. (2)It gives the Friend who is spoken to a chance to speak back.
Rich Accetta-Evans (Brooklyn Quaker).
- - Rich Accetta-Evans
After sitting and reflecting on a number of things [regarding these posts and their respective comments], I find I am clear to add the following:
That I resist the temptation to raise more questions, share other concerns, make additional conjectures about how things came about at that moment in New England Yearly Meeting. I was not there; I cannot know, through immediate experience, how things transpired.
Thankfully, the questions and concerns posted here prompted me to check in with a New England Friend, for which I am glad. I have a clearer picture.
I hope others will consider being in touch with New England Friends, so that more of us may understand how Friends there experienced the movement of the Spirit.
Blessings,
Liz, The Good Raised Up
When they walked out of worship, it was not in a "huff" or with attitude. Although I was there, I cannot speak to all their initial motivation, but I did witness the humble, loving and careful conversations that immediately followed the action.
I felt deeply moved by their integrity and the respect they exhibited towards the adults in the community as they discussed, wrote and presented their minute.
They desire extended periods of silent worship with a few spirit-filled messages and the time to sit and reflect on these messages. From the many letters and spoken comments to the Young Friends from adults in the community, the young friends are not alone in this desire.