My World Gathering
What I learnt at the WGYF
What I Learnt at the World Gathering of Young Friends
There are a lot of Quakers in the world! They range from evangelical to atheist to universalist, Christian to anti-Christian, programmed to unprogrammed. Some don’t like the term ‘Quakers’, some belong to churches, some are prophets or mystics or ministers. Young Friends are diverse . . . and there is no common element that binds us together. We don’t fall on a continuum, or even a series of continuums - it’s much more complicated than that!
At the Gathering, participants spoke in different languages. But even within a single language, they spoke with different words. Many people believe that underlying these different forms of expression is a common experience; an essential ‘sameness’. Ideas of this sort were voiced a number of times, especially at the start of the Gathering. This often stemmed from a desire for togetherness and unity in a group that came from different realities. I was touched by the commitment to come together,
(Anon): I was just thinking about the idea of having exchanges with other countries. While, the idea of enrichment sounds great (riches are always nice) I know that I would find it rather hard to embrace the viewpoints of an evangelical Quaker... I mean, i'd try, but... like attracts like, y'know? I'm ultimately think i'm rather happy with our semi-isolated style of Quakerism and don't like the idea that we may not have the right idea. nice blog btw - food for thought. if i'd gone we could have heckled :P. (10/25/05)
Thomas: I was just thinking about the idea of having exchanges with other countries. While, the idea of enrichment sounds great (riches are always nice) I know that I would find it rather hard to embrace the viewpoints of an evangelical Quaker... I mean, i'd try, but... like attracts like, y'know? I'm ultimately think i'm rather happy with our semi-isolated style of Quakerism and don't like the idea that we may not have the right idea. nice blog btw - food for thought. if i'd gone we could have heckled :P. (10/25/05)
thomas: ...sorry... this interweb is confuzlling... haha. (10/25/05)
Leith: Thomas - you rock! The first comment to my blog . . . wow :0) May there be many more (and each more wonderful than the last . . . !) (10/26/05)
Leith: Oh . . . and on a more serious note . . . it's a really good point. To be honest, in my heart of hearts I'm pretty attached to my idea of Quakerism . . .
. . . and it would be kind of a pity if the uniqueness of NZ Friend-ly-ness got squashed because it is a minority . . . so maybe it's good to be a little isolated. Great comment . . . I'm gonna think some more . . . (10/26/05)
Leith: I'm really sorry guys, but part of my report seems to have been eaten by the blog editor! I will re-post my report above so that it is still available to read . . . so have a look elsewhere on the blog if you want to know how it ends :0) (11/02/05)
ria: hey leithy, ill comment but im afraid i cant think of anything provoking to say.. (= i guess iv heard this all before in person already so it isnt inspiring anything new.. ul just hav to post some more controversial things and ill wait till i read something i disagree with or that moves me to speak.. at least thomas and julian are holding up the side - interesting comments guys (= luv, ria. (11/05/05)