YMG is coming to an end -only really final celebrations, epilogue and meeting for leaving to go – and I’m tired and in reflective mood.
I went to a group at lunchtime to feed back feelings about the Gathering experiment to the review group and that helped me organise my thoughts a little.
My experience as a whole has been positive, more so I think as I really did try to come with an open mind. We succeeded in managing to create connections and community and the time and flexibility allowed us to approach what might have been a difficult decision creatively. We allowed the Spirit to work and together discovered what that means.
For myself I missed the space for different kinds of learning together which Summer Gathering has given me before, but perhaps I need to seek out alternative opportunities for this.
I found YMG overwhelming at times but that is no different from all the many other Quaker gatherings I’ve been to. There was so much do to and so little time but again, nothing new there! I have very much appreciated the opportunity to blog and to read other people’s blogs and tweets. For me this is a new level of connection.
As I leave YMG it is the YM sessions and several of the introductions that will stay with me. Today Quakers are in the news. What I feel as my responsibility is to continue to take part in the process, to talk to Friends in my meeting who were not here, to people in other Yearly Meetings and in other churches, to carry on a dialogue of love and respect.
But just at this moment I need a holiday to recover from this week!