Young Friends General Meeting (YFGM) is the national organisation for young Quakers (from 18 to 30-ish) in the United Kingdom. The name refers both to the organisation and to the General Meetings which are held in February, May and October each year, in various Quaker Meeting Houses in Britain. The organization also publishes a tri-annual magazine entitled The Young Quaker.
Contents
History
The Young Friends Movement in the United Kingdom emerged in the first decade of the Twentieth Century, inspired by John Wilhelm Rowntree and led by Neave Brayshaw. The first National Conference of Young Friends was held in August 1911. Among the first generation were many conscientious objectors, who suffered badly during the Great War.
The movement has influenced Britain Yearly Meeting strongly during the twentieth century, for instance on the issue of ethical investments.
The name changed from Young Friends Central Committee to the present name in 1993.
In 1998, YFGM gave the annual Swarthmore Lecture to Friends gathered at Yearly Meeting in London, with the title Who do we think we are? Young Friends' Commitment and Belonging.
Perhaps summing up its work is a statement from 1926:
'Our work is based on the thought that 'What you have inherited from your forefathers, you must acquire for yourselves to possess it'. That is to say that each generation of Young Friends by its experiments must discover for itself the truths on which the Society is built, if it is to use those truths, and to continue and enlarge the work of the Society. Hence the occasional separate meetings of younger Friends and our desire to have means of expressing corporately our own experience' (Quaker Faith & Practice, 21.04)
Current
Young Friends General Meeting is represented on various Quaker bodies in the United Kingdom, including two representatives on Meeting for Sufferings.
Events
Young Friends General Meeting arranges several events each year. In addition to three General Meetings and three Planning Weekends annually, smaller groups of YFGM members often arrange smaller local or themed events.
General Meetings
Foremost among these are the General Meetings, which take place at a Meeting House somewhere in Britain three times each year, usually in February, May, and October. These are residential weekend events with most participants sleeping in the Meeting House. These events are the main venue for conducting the business of the meeting, and also serve as spiritual gatherings, and act as the hub of the community. In addition to conducting the business of the organisation, these events usually include a range of activities, including sessions with a focus on spirituality, external speakers, and the opportunity to join with local Friends for Meeting for Worship.
Planning Weekends
Smaller events, Planning Weekends, which take place around six weeks before General Meetings, serve a dual purpose. Primarily, they exist to plan the proceedings of the General Meeting held in the following month. They also serve as a venue for the meeting of committees, encouraging cooperation and awareness between them.
Pardshaw Gatherings
Historically, YFGM was responsible for Pardshaw Young Friends' Centre and regularly held gatherings there. However, in 2008 YFGM agreed to hand over responsibility for Pardshaw to West Cumbria Area Meeting.
YF (GM Free)
These events, which are YFGM events without the business, are usually organised by small groups of YFGM participants on a specific theme, or simply to enjoy each other's company. Previous events have included a theme of mental wellbeing, and a retreat at Yealand Meeting House.
The Young Quaker
The Young Quaker (TYQ) is a magazine produced three times each year by Young Friends General Meeting since 2013. Previously known as Young Quaker and published monthly, it provides a forum for religious, social, environmental and other issues. It lists national and international events as well as changes of address and other notices. Because it is the magazine of Young Friends General Meeting, Young Quaker is primarily aimed at people between the ages of 18 and 30. The magazine is also read by young people under 18.
Production
While its predecessor, Young Quaker was sold predominantly on a subscription only basis, The Young Quaker is free at YFGM events and by request from the YFGM Office. It is also available to read online on its own website.
The magazine has five editors which are appointed by Young Friends General Meeting, having been discerned by YFGM's Nominations Committee. Co-editors are usually appointed for a period of three years.
History
The Young Quaker was started in 1922, as a natural development from the Young Friends movement. It stopped after a couple of years and resurfaced in the mid 1930s as a quarterly European publication. It went to ground again and then came back in the 1940s during the second world war as a London news sheet for young Friends. In 1956 production began regularly under the title Young Quaker and the magazine was published continuously until 2011. A full archive of can be found in the library at Friends House.