Welcome to the World Methodist Council, Youth and Young Adult conversation space. I hope that this will be a starting point that will enable all of us who share in Wesleyan, uniting and united tradition to share our stories and experiences of youth and young adult ministries being lived out in our various contexts.
As I write this inaugural blog, sitting in Durban, South Africa, I write in a week in which our country will be celebrating the birthday of Nelson Mandela (18 July). Young people all over South Africa will be engaging in Mandela Day activities which will entail giving up 67 minutes of our day on the 18 July to engage in work within our communities that is aimed at enhancing the quality of life of the whole community. The 67 minutes is a symbol representing the 67years that Nelson Mandela devoted of his life to the service of the whole of South Africa. Essentially the heart of the 67 minute idea is the concept that an individual of any age, race, ethnicity, gender can make a positive impact in the world.
This idea is not new. It has found expression in many ways, contexts and eras. Our common Wesleyan heritage also carries within itself this idea. The Wesleyan rule of life: do no harm; do good as often as you can to as many as you can and to attend to the ordinances of God encapsulates this. It is a part of our heritage to bring into the flesh of our experience of life with others and creation the beauty of the grace filled relationship we have with God through our faith in Christ Jesus. The way we live, the activities of our hands and feet, the words our mouths, the ideas that explode from our minds and our conversations should, in Wesley’s terms reflect the heart of our faith journey. This is exciting!!!
I am hoping that in this space, we will be able to share these stories, that we would be able to inspire each other. In particular I hope that we share stories of how young people: children, youth and young adults from across our great Wesleyan family are living out their faith journeys.
In closing I would like to encourage us all to spend 67minutes this week praying for our various Youth and Young adult activities in which we are engaged and please share your stories with us.
Yours in Christ
Rev Lauren Matthew
World Methodist Council – Youth and Young Adult President.