In my Father’s house . . .

Angela Sarkis YMCA National Secretary writes:

 

 

“In May I attended the YMCA Europe General Assembly in Kiev, Ukraine. This was my first visit to the historic city and my first full experience of the wider YMCA family. It was an emotional time – I was moved by the experience of being part of something much bigger.

 

The five-day assembly took its theme from John 14:2 – ‘In my father’s house there are many rooms...’ The theme reflected the diversity, inclusively and unity of YMCAs gathered from across Europe together in one room. This really spoke to me, bringing home much of my thinking about the ‘DNA’ of the YMCA.

 

 

For those of you who have not heard my thoughts about our DNA – the essence of the YMCA, that which makes us unique and should run through all of our work. I believe it is three elements: young people, our Christian ethos and international reach. At our heart we are an international Christian youth movement – something that was confirmed to me very clearly in Kiev.

 

But alongside the celebration of being together at assembly, there was disappointment. Many YMCAs could not afford to send representatives to the Kiev. Yes, there were ‘many rooms’ available, but not all YMCAs had the funds to take up their place. I spoke to one national secretary from Eastern Europe who felt guilty for attending. He knew that, back home, the fee for his place could send 20 young people on a life-changing weekend away.

 

Even though they may not be as ‘rich’ as the YMCA in England, the stories I heard of the amazing work carried out by YMCAs across Europe was inspiring. The assembly was a good opportunity for me to talk directly to other national secretaries and listen to young people about how we can work more closely together. We must recognise how much we have to contribute to the European and World alliances.

 

One message that came across very clearly was how much each YMCA would like to be better known in its respective county, but we all struggle to find ways to do this. A good example is the forthcoming Prague youth festival, which is finding it difficult to secure sponsorship. One major international telecommunications company was keen to be a sponsor but withdrew, because they felt they didn’t know enough about the YMCA! Despite being the longest established youth movement in the world we still face confusion as to who we are, what we do, and how we do it! So it’s our job – together with YMCAs across the world – to seek ways to change this.

 

At Kiev, I realised something else about the YMCA: how precious we are, but also how vulnerable. While we seek to be a lighthouse, spreading a beam of hope to our communities, we are often more like a candle flickering in the wind. I left assembly with a new determination to turn up the gas, tend to the lighthouse and join with YMCAs across the world as we seek to let our light shine!”