W is for Wilfrid and Waldemar
Not many words begin with w in the Swedish
alphabet, because this letter is often replaced by v. However, as the only
children in our Worship Group are called Wilfrid and Waldemar it seems
appropriate to write about them in this Quaker-related space.
Waldemar is now six and his brother Wilfrid
four. They come to our once-a-month
Meeting for Worship with their parents and are an integral part of our group. Both
boys stay in Meeting for as long as they feel able. During that time they draw
or crayon in their sketch books or read one of the books from their reading
bags. When they come to Meeting they are always well equipped with materials
and each boy has his own bag of books from which to choose. When they get
restless one of their parents takes them to another room in the house for other
activities, while the other remains in Meeting.
This has also posed a challenge to the rest of
us in the group. Do we always expect their parents to take care of them and
keep them occupied, or can another of us take responsibility for them? In
Advices and Queries we are encouraged to “Rejoice in the presence of children
and young people in your meeting and recognise the gifts they bring. Remember
that the meeting as a whole shares a responsibility for every child in its
care. Seek for them as for yourself a full development of God’s gifts and the
abundant life Jesus tells us can be ours. How do you share your deepest beliefs
with them, while leaving them free to develop as the spirit of God may lead
them? Do you invite them to share their insights with you? Are you ready both
to learn from them and to accept your responsibilities towards them?”(Advice
19, Britain Yearly Meeting)
Despite attempts to address the issue, it has
proved difficult to come to any real solution, given that the group only meets
once a month for Meeting, in our homes, and regards it as a precious
opportunity to worship together. No-one has really been keen to leave the Meeting
for Worship and do something with the children, although one or two have tried
to set an example.
A more fertile discussion ground may be
prepared when we meet in December, because this autumn we have included a ‘study’
session – in worship-sharing mode – before our Meeting for Worship in order to
address topics that concern us. In December we will meet at the home of the children
and the ‘study session’ will revolve around them. Might this be the beginning
of a more inclusive taking of responsibility? I hope so.
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