"Faith in a Fast-Food World"
Each year the Archbishop of Canterbury invites young people from each diocese in one of the regions to a day at Lambeth Palace for reflection and discussion. Earlier this year it was the turn of the South West Region, and I was fortunate to be part of a group of twelve young people from the Truro Youth Synod able to attend this event. Since Cornwall to London is too far to go for a single day, the group spent a weekend in London, visiting Lambeth on the Saturday.
The event was titled "Faith in a Fast-Food World" and was about the need for us to take time to develop our relationship with God, both individually and as a church. The morning and afternoon were each structured around a talk by Archbishop Rowan, followed by individual silent reflection and then small group discussion. There was a wonderful peace to be found in wandering through the Palace and grounds, as we were encouraged to reflect silently on what the Archbishop had said. It is easy to be afraid of silence, especially in a worship context, but often it gives an opportunity to think much more deeply than we would otherwise be able.
It was wonderful to worship in the crypt of Lambeth Palace with many other young people from a wide range of backgrounds. Several others from Truro led the morning worship, and the conclusion of the reading perfectly expressed the theme of the day:
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth… Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Towards the end of the day, each discussion group spoke in a feedback session about the issues they had considered. The day concluded with worship songs led by young people from the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Eucharist celebrated by Archbishop Rowan.
Overall, the trip was a wonderful experience and a great encouragement in faith. I am very grateful to Jacquie Price and Jeremy Andrew for leading the trip, and to Bishop Bill for supporting and subsidising it.