sk anyone who has taught First Day School, led a group of children at yearly meeting or worked with kids at Gathering and they will have stories to tell. I think of the time I asked a couple of first-graders who were looking in each other's mouths what was going on. They told me they were looking for the Light.
The anecdotes are more than funny or touching. They are the stories of a powerful way of worship. In playing the role of teacher, I have experienced God more intensely and learned more about keeping the Spirit in the center of my life than in any other way of worship. I've had discussions with children about vegetarianism, what Zacchaeus' meal with Jesus must have been like to change his life, and about the powerful leadings of 12-year-olds. When I stop giving the children answers to their questions and ask what they think, their responses often remind me in specific ways to live simply, without obstructions to my relationship with God. I find that by stripping down my vocabulary and by looking for a balance between the concrete and the mystical, I short-circuit the part of my brain that over-analyzes and misses the point. My first-grade Friends and I stopped looking for light in others' mouths, but were on the look-out for the Light shining through the eyes of happy people. We looked for ways to make sure others could see the Light shining out of our own eyes.
I am the coordinator of the Junior Gathering, a job that I am head over heels in love with for the people I meet, the community I experience, and the opportunity to be immersed in the Gathering for about half of each year! While a significant disadvantage is that I am not able to spend much time with the children, it is offset by the opportunity to spend time with the children's teachers and to hear their stories. We have over 100 Friends serving as teachers to the nearly 400 junior attenders. There are 13 groups of children ranging from tiny infants to 14-going-on-21-year-olds. One is a multi-age group for children of all ages to join in play and worship together.
Junior Gathering staff members work with the children during the morning or evening sessions. In addition, volunteers share their gifts in the afternoon at the Family Place or helping with multigenerational activities. There is one opportunity after another for these adults to grow in the Spirit as well as simply have fun. At our daily Junior Gathering Staff worship we are further nurtured by each other's stories and discoveries. After spending an entire week working, playing and worshiping with the children at the Gathering, we all go home rich with stories of the Spirit.
If you feel called to experience the Spirit in this way or have any questions about Junior Gathering, please contact Christie Duncan-Tessmer at the FGC office (christied@fgcquaker.org; 215/561-1700 ext. 3006). Some reduction in Gathering fees are available for Friends working in the Junior Gathering.
