Spring Meeting 2009: Leeds

Report by Richard Hurrell

On 25 April, the Church of England Youth Council convened for the fourth annual day meeting in the great northern city of Leeds. Meeting at the Diocesan Centre, we were greeted by blue skies, bright sunshine, and the vivacious resident Diocesan Youth Officer, Nic Sheppard. What a splendid start to the day!

Initially mingling for coffee, we came together for a session of worship, led and accompanied by a generous and able ensemble of musicians. Our first topic of the day focused on the recently announced Education Division Strategy, which well engaged the group in discussions, and provided useful feedback on its proposals. Recent Youth Council news and forthcoming events were circulated, just before we tucked into a delicious buffet lunch, basking in the wonderful weather.

The afternoon was busy, beginning with a discussion concerning the present economic climate and recession. Many expressed their discouragement and concern for the future, and we considered what the church could do for people in troubled times. Shortly afterwards we split into regional groups, tasked with a study of the Psalms.

Our final session was on the Anglican Communion. We were delighted to welcome Bishop Clive Handford (recently retired Primate of Jersualem and the Middle East), who gave a whistle-stop history of the English Church and spoke authoritatively on present day issues.

Our day concluded with further worship, and amid frantic finishing-up of the remains of lunch, we bade our farewells!