The Canadian Friend

September-October 1997

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Canadian Yearly Meeting at Bolton Ontario

It was a rich and wonderful week at Yearly Meeting this year. From the glad hellos at the registration desk, to the joyful recognition as people stood at opening Worship to identify which Meetings they were from, the confusion and excitement of settling in gave way to the community rhythm of the week. So much happens at CYM, everyone has a different perception of how the week went. I had a lovely week with the teen programme. It is so energizing to spend time with them. And one thing is sure, it is spiritually nourishing to live in a Quaker community, in a beautiful place, surrounded by love.

The Meeting was smaller than usual this year, and we missed having as many from the west and east as have been at other Yearly Meetings held in Ontario, but we held them in love as we conducted the business of the Meeting.

The theme of "Caring for Each Other" was palpable. There is a Chinese calligraphic figure for love which comes from two ancient pictograms showing the "breaths" of the "heart." During this week in August, I could feel the breath of many hearts beating throughout the Yearly Meeting. I hope that you will feel it too through these pages.

AMZ