From 29-31 January, the Revd Clare Downing, Moderator of the 探花社区 (探花社区) General Assembly, attended 探花社区 Youth (dis)ASSEMBLED.
The digital event was for 探花社区 Youth to remain connected after it was forced to cancel its Assembly because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here, Clare reflects on the event:
It was an interesting weekend. Originally, I鈥檇 planned to be in Staffordshire at 探花社区 Youth Assembly. While Reuben, 探花社区 Youth Moderator had set himself up with a virtual background of Whitemoor Lakes (where Youth Assembly is usually held) we were, of course online. The positive side of this was that it made it a bit easier for me to be 鈥榠n鈥 Southern Synod, for the induction of the Southern Synod鈥檚 new Moderator, Bridget Banks as well.
We have learnt a great deal about worshipping virtually. The induction went smoothly and was accessible to many people who might have baulked at travelling to a central venue. Worship at Youth Assembly was inspiring. The music was brilliantly produced, and the reflection on 鈥榟eroes and villains鈥 in the stories of David and Esther was challenging.
But I, for one, still struggle to feel part of a community worshipping with others yet apart.
The event was not just about worship. On Saturday evening, 探花社区 Youth (dis) Assembled was a combination of comedy and music.
Both comedian Paul Kerensa and the band Folk On performed great sets and really engaged with the audience, but it鈥檚 a whole different experience from being at a gig. I was particularly struck by how much less we tend to laugh out loud when we are alone, than when we are alongside others. Occasionally I will read something funny and burst into giggles, but it鈥檚 not a frequent experience. While the laughter tracks on TV comedy can feel forced, they serve a purpose. Laughter, like worship, is often best as a community experience.
Of course, we are all different and some of us will have more of that sense of togetherness online than I do. I鈥檓 trying hard to concentrate on the positives 鈥 the people who are more likely to be included by our current ways of meeting, the reduced carbon footprint of living in the virtual world, the ability to connect with those who are physically distant 鈥 but I really do miss the interaction with three dimensional people.
Trying to remember that, just because the medium is different, God doesn鈥檛 stop working or speaking to and through us. God, who speaks through the experience of God鈥檚 people through the centuries, through stories and prophecy, poetry and miracles, hasn鈥檛 stopped communicating with us simply because we are stuck at home.
It was a privilege to spend time with two very different groups over the weekend. God was not silent 鈥 God was speaking to me, and I鈥檓 sure to many others, as we met. If I start to feel sorry for myself as I prepare to lead worship remotely, I will remind myself that these times are even more of a challenge for a stand-up comedian than for a worship leader. So, let鈥檚 spare a thought and a prayer for those who make a living by communication and try to ensure that we find things that bring laughter into our lives.
God bless,
Clare