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Epistle from the Senior High School group
New York Yearly Meeting, Junior Yearly Meeting
July 30, 1999
During the week of July 25-31, 1999, the Senior High group of New York Yearly Meeting has focused largely on the turtle theme "Sticking our necks out." In addition, we spent time with other age groups in activities such as games with the kindergarten through third grade kids, a bonfire with the Junior High group and discussion with many conscientious objectors and friends involved in the Peace Tax Fund. Another special activity we enjoyed was Yoko Marutama come to share with us what it is like to live in Japan. We also participated in various worship sharing groups, including a Tai Chi group led by Ty Griese. We want to thank the Junior Yearly Meeting staff as well as Jeremy Mott, Rachel Avery-Harrison, Asa Watkins, Liz Yeats, Richard Acetta-Evans, Mercedes Walker, Renee-Noelle Felice, and Carolyn Cooley for helping to make these activities happen.
Unlike the other JYM groups, who used the symbol of the giraffe; we decided that a turtle better represents people who "stick their necks out." A giraffe cannot choose the length of its neck; a giraffe's neck is always long. A turtle, however, has to make a brave and possibly risky decision when sticking its neck out. Instead of hiding in the safety of its shell, it shows its face for a cause it believes in.
(Turtle puppets walk out)
The turtle plates of the turtle shell represent the characteristics necessary to "stick one's neck out." Some examples of what our turtle shell says are "Be Different, Risk Security," "Make Your Own Footprints," "Faith," "Courage," "Integrity," "Civil Disobedience," etc.
We would like to recognize all the turtles in our yearly meeting. Would all those who have stuck their necks out by participating in the Peace Tax Fund or who have withheld sums from taxes as a witness please stand. If you all would please remain standing until we finish saying all the categories.
Standing by a moral belief despite the loss of a relationship with a family member or close friend; being a conscientious objector; having been arrested for standing up for a belief or standing against an unjust law; losing a job or position as a result of a moral conviction; joining with protests, sit-ins, or marches advocating civil rights, women's rights, gay or lesbian rights, environmental rights, etc.; volunteering in prisons, institutions, and/or other community service such as soup kitchens; voicing one's opinion by writing letters to congressmen or editors.
We would like to thank all of you for being such great role models for us.
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