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Epistle
Young Friends, PYM 2000
To Friends Everywhere,
Young Friends gathered as a part of Pacific Yearly Meeting (PYM) 2000 at
the Mount Madonna retreat center in the mountains above Watsonville,
California. In an atmosphere of inclusion and integration, our
community was enriched by high school-aged Friends and those in their
30's, although most of us were college-aged.
We had several rich and productive meetings for business. In response
to concerns raised in previous years, the Religious Education
Subcommittee sought input from Young Friends. Many of us spoke
passionately about growing up Quaker, and the various successes and
failures of the religious education programs of our Meetings. Young
Friends approved queries on this topic, which the Subcommittee will
carry to Monthly Meetings.
A deep concern arose about unity with nature, and how faithful activism
on the part of Young Friends and others should lead to a Yearly Meeting
testimony. We agreed that merely including a testimony on unity with
nature in our Faith and Practice would have little meaning, if the
Yearly Meeting was not already actively living such a faith.
We had a full week of learning and play. Each afternoon, invited
speakers offered a presentation and discussion for Young Friends on
various social justice topics. As is traditional at Mount Madonna, we
took a road trip to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The group was thrilled to
fill nearly an entire car on the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Much
full-voiced screaming ensued. We participated in and supplied music for
the traditional intergenerational dance. Junior Yearly Meeting and
Young Friends gathered for an active evening of play and sports together
in the gym, where youth and energy sometimes triumphed over height and
weight. As always, much of our most important sharing and socializing
took place late at night, including backrubs, impromptu music sessions,
and time in the hot tub.
Many of us found it rewarding to participate widely in the greater PYM.
Individuals worked with committees, led an interest group, joined in
worship sharing, played piano, sang, attended plenaries, performed at
Community Night, and helped with the Memorial Plenary. An intensely
emotional and joyously spontaneous late night Meeting for Worship left
us both drained and inspired.
Even as we enjoyed our week at PYM, we continued our search for identity
as a group. Most of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee joined
our business meeting concerning the draft Faith and Practice description
of Young Friends. An ad hoc committee of Young Friends drafted the
following proposed text:
Young Friends experience Yearly Meeting as a unique opportunity to come
together as a large group in fellowship and worship, giving one another
emotional and spiritual support. Though many Young Friends participate
in other Quaker activities, Yearly Meeting is an important experience
for Friends in transition from youth into adulthood. The weeklong
gathering gives them time to build community both socially and
spiritually.
Young Friends hold their own Business Meetings to seek the leadings of
the Light, build leadership, and encourage awareness of Quaker practice.
They strive to be involved in the greater PYM community, including the
Junior Yearly Meeting and children's program. Young Friends learn and
grow from the patterns of their traditions and examples of their elders
and peers.
Out of the work on our own internal structure, nomination process, and
better connection with the wider Yearly Meeting, we heard impassioned
testimony. In recent years PYM has been reaching out more to Young
Friends, even as Young Friends have taken a more active role in the
wider meeting. However, we have concerns that when we have served as
representatives or liaisons to committees, our role has sometimes been
limited to token representation of "Young Friends views," and has had
little of the true expectations and responsibilities of committee
service.
Throughout the week, the most valuable element of being together was a
much-needed peer community, grounded in respect and spiritual growth.
In the Light,
PYM Young Friends
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