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Western Europe Regional Meeting
From 21 to 23 Jan uar y 2000, some 30 active members
of eight Orthodox youth movements from England, France and Holland
met here. The meeting took place in the presence of three SYNDESMOS
Board members: Secretary
General-elect Rebecca Hookway, Vice-President Hildo Bos, and Regional
Representative Lydia Obolensky.
The aim of the encounter was to establish personal links between key
members of youth groups throughout Western Europe and to reflect on
concrete ways by which the groups might cooperate. In this sense it
was a great success: during its mere 36 hours, participants hardly
spent a minute without dis-cussing, praying and learning together.
The prevailing atmosphere was relaxed and informal, uniting a variety
of people all at different stages in their experience of SYNDESMOS
and youth activities, but all speaking a common language and sharing
common goals.
Saturday afternoon's sessions focused on the work of youth groups
and their expectations of SYNDESMOS. The role of SYNDESMOS in providing
specialised training and bringing together youth leaders on an international
level was emphasised. There was also strong support for cooperation
through the international SYNDESMOS network and on the local level.
A fireside evening on Saturday provided the perfect backdrop for continued
exchange. Archimandrite Grigorios [Papathomas] of Saint Sergius Theo-logical
Institute, Paris, led an intense discussion on the spiritual essence
of youth ministry and SYNDESMOS.
He noted the danger of organising work to such a degree that "there
is no room left for the Spirit of God to act." Father Grigorios
encouraged youth workers to focus on the fundamental aims of any task
in the Church, which is to reveal the love and communion that can
come among people thanks to the "foolish sacrifice of Christ"
on the Cross [cf. 1 Cor. 1:23]. When asked what SYNDESMOS' priority
should be, he answered, "the Kingdom of God."
The weekend ended with an early morning Liturgy served by Father Grigorios
and Archdeacon Job in the castle's wooden church, after which everyone
left inspired and strengthened by the bond of friendship which developed
in such a short period of time.
Concretely the meeting produced a list of those activities sponsored
by the region's youth groups in which members from other groups can
participate. The list will be circulated by e-mail and will be available
on the SYNDESMOS web page.
SYNDESMOS wishes to thank Anita and Gabriel Bornand for the hospitality
they showed the participants as guests at their wonderful chateau.
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