4 Trains, 1 Bus

I recently had the opportunity to visit with a group of YAFs from the Circle of Young Friends in New York. I found myself nervous traveling up to the meetinghouse, not knowing anyone there but happy at being welcomed warmly and making new friends!

While some of the divisions between different branches of Quakerism are known, we also found differences within our gathering, despite all coming from unprogrammed meetings/worship groups. Those differences were mostly with words, and how those words affect our imagery. We found difficulty with "God talk" and with our pronouns. But more importantly, we found our connection beyond those words, the Spirit moved in and among us. Though we had many words and meanings for it, we all felt it nonetheless.

Since the total group was no more than 12, we were able to go deep, share experiences, and respond much quicker than would normally be able to do in a larger gathering; it was like being in small worship sharing groups all the time. I enjoyed the warmth and closeness that only comes with a small group, and I feel I could relax and open up and get to know every single person there. Together, we broke bread, played games, sung, worshiped, fed the worm-filled compost pile and made good use of the sippy cups.

The theme of the gathering was: "What does it mean to call ourselves Quaker?" So lastly, I'll share with you what I wrote in one of our sessions:

What is a Quaker?

A Quaker is a listener, a listener for the Divine. This Spirit that is found inside everyone, speaks to us if we'd only listen.

A Quaker is a doer, a doer of deeds that reflect on what they have heard within, if we'd only answer that call.

A Quaker is a seeker, a seeker of Truth that lies beyond worldly endeavors and yet works within them if we'd only look.

A Quaker is a speaker, a speaker of the Light that shows us what the Divine wants us to see if we'd only open our eyes.

A Quaker is joy, sharing gladness and triumph for all people everywhere if we'd only open our hearts.

A Quaker is sadness, bearing the world's tears from the ocean of darkness and bearers of others burdens to the ocean of Light if we'd only just help.

A Quaker is hope, hope for the Kingdom brought down on earth anew made by all if we'd only just build.

In Light,
-John Lavin