London Linkers can now, with authority, share that The Sun Shines On is not just played by British Quaker youths….and that Ginger Nut biscuits are a huge hit with Japanese young people.
3 older Linkers, and the LLG Clerk, were pleased to help Westminster Meeting host 30 students, and 3 teachers, from Friends Girls School Tokyo as part of their annual visit to the UK.
We spent the morning explaining what we do in London Link and LTQM, while also giving a big shout out to Junior Gathering, Senior Conference, and JYM etc. They had many questions for us and it was a joy to share our perspectives with them but also to hear the amazing impact of spaces like London Link on our young people’s lives and their Quaker journeys.
The final questions were around George Fox and one of our answers led the students sharing that they had learnt a song about him… This led to a brilliant sing along of the Sydney Carter Ballad of George Fox song (also known as There’s a Light that is Shining or simply The George Fox song).
“In my old leather breeches and my shaggy, shaggy locks, I am walking in the glory of the light,” said Fox.
Afterwards our guests enthusiastically shared the biscuits we often eat at LTQM, with Foxes party rings and ginger nuts definitely being favourites. With all in unity that perhaps George Fox himself might not approve of Party Rings! Thank you to the Linkers for also helping to serve copious cups of tea.
We then played an extended game of The Sun Shines On with much hilarity – turns out not many of us have cats but most of us like chocolate.
The students then gave us an impressive, bilingual, presentation about life in Japan, and issues that are facing them such as coping with an ageing population, living with earthquakes, and the climate crisis.
We were then able to hear more about their trip to the UK, which included visiting places such as Jordan’s Meeting House and Firbank Fell, before they headed off to see Wicked in the West End.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Friends Girls School Tokyo, and to their UK guide and Westminster Friends, for enabling us to take part in such a special morning.
