YO YO YO! *Pause* WATSUP, YO!

To address the concerns of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Young Friends have returned to traditional dress, spend their days isolated in separate rooms, and, during conferences, avidly read the journals of George Fox. Young Friends’ latest project is the reconstruction of the wall separating the men and women in the Meeting House. Stern Quaker FAPs write Young Friends out of the community for improper use of “thee” and “thou.” No longer is there a song in every Young Friends heart. We no longer dance or sing festively around fire circles, but instead spend the entire conference in awkward, involuntary silence.

But for serious. Young Friends are currently revising their handbook, our ever loving, ever changing guide. We are working toward a handbook that is easier to interpret and follow, better than the American constitution. We have created an improved system of record keeping, which allows us to manage money, registration and medical forms. We are proud to note that we no longer keep track of our financial records on our treasurer’s arms. The increasing amounts of attending Young Friends make our community full of energy. Yay! A growing number of BRAND SPANKING NEW Young Friends is bringing fresh blood, new energy and the youthful exuberance on which we thrive. This year we are working to expand our COMMUNICATION:

• Creating a transparent community.
• Openness
• Moolah.
• Multi-generational.
• Unity.
• Nuttiness
• Interchange
• Careful keeping of minutes.
• Antidisestablishmentarianism.
• Truthfulness
• Interwoven hearts and bodies.
• Oddly intriguing.
• Nuttiness

We love to talk about ourselves, so questions, comments and general conversation are greatly appreciated… and craved. Talk to a Young Friend in your meeting or visit the Young Friends website (www.bym-rsf.org/yf) for contacts.

PS: Read our handbook, we are splendiforiously proud of our work. Also, frequent our website, there are goodies of all shapes and sizes to be found there.

submitted by a group of Young Friends
photo from Lydia Rain

Report of December Conference

Over 20 young adult Friends (YAFs) from Baltimore Yearly Meeting gathered at Homewood Friends Meeting the weekend of December 14 through 16 for a conference/retreat on the theme of "Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys." Kevin-Douglas Olive from Homewood led an interactive workshop introducing Quaker Quest, an outreach program developed by Friends in Britain (the other "BYM"!). Friends enjoyed delicious food prepared by a volunteer chef and appreciated the hospitality of Homewood.

We welcomed a number of first-time attenders at the conference, including recent high school graduates and older young adults. The growing diversity in the ages and experiences in Quakerism of active BYM YAFs is an exciting development that we hope to continue. The next YAF conference will be this May or June in Virginia. For more information or to get involved contact Annalee Flower Horne, BYM YAF co-clerk, padawanroo@gmail.com.

Submitted by Laura Goren
(Homewood)
photo of The Jennys from Laura Goren