Posted Monday 29 September 2008
This article will also be in the most recent edition of Inspires
“The International Anglican Youth Network at the Lambeth Conference”
The Lambeth Conference took place this year from the 16th of July to the 3rd of August amid speculation as to what decisions would be made over the highly publicised issues of the eligibility of homosexuals and woman Bishops. However it was not just Bishops who were present at Lambeth. Among the many other events and groups, representatives of the International Anglican Youth Network (IAYN) ran two labyrinths in Canterbury Cathedral Crypt as well as running a stall in the Market Place.
Nine volunteers from Scotland joined Sarah Tomlinson, International Youth Representative to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), and other members of the IAYN to run the 12 prayer station labyrinth.
The labyrinth took the walker on a journey which had three main aims: to off the walker space for peace and quiet; to provide a guided meditation in which participants could explore and reflect on their own ministry and how they do or could encourage other peoples ministry; and to present the thoughts of young people in their own words.
Over the course of the week over 2500 visitors passed through the space and about 150 walked the labyrinth, including Bishops and their Spouses from around the world.
During the week we were able to go to various presentations including one which focused on youth work. During the presentation Archbishop Rowan Williams joined the audience and took full part in all the activities on hand. It was encouraging to see him taking an active interest in what the youth were saying. In what was likely to be a surreal moment for him we surrounded him in a sea of yellow t-shirts for a photo.
While much of our time was spent at the conference itself we had plenty of opportunity to spend time with the other internationals and go on tours around Canterbury. One of the highlights of the week was being able to invite the Scottish Bishops and their Spouses to a BBQ dinner at the youth hostel we were staying at. It gave us all the opportunity to meet one another and view the conference from 3 different perspectives.
The stalls and labyrinths were used to raise the profile of the IAYN but, fundamentally, they were designed and used to boost the profile young people in the Anglican Communion – making everyone aware that they are part of the church today, and hope to be allowed to be involved.
On the back of the youth labyrinths success at Lambeth it has been adapted for use in congregations. For more information or to request a pack contact: youth.labyrinth@googlemail.com.
