Corrymeela

After an early start for many, everyone began arriving from numerous locations by ferry, plane, taxi, and car and started settling in at the Corrymeela Centre. The centre has long been a place of coming together from different places geographically, theologically, and philosophically for reconciliation and peace.

Following a sandwich lunch in the gathered space, everyone present from CMN shared their updates with a mixture of ideas and resources.

We had an introduction to the centre and our tour host was former leader Trevor Williams. He said how important it was ‘not to abolish difference but to learn to live with it, and even acknowledge it’.

He continued ‘A persons greatest need is for someone to listen’. The Corrymeela Centre provides a place for sharing stories, most importantly – in safety. To share one’s story is an act of trust – you put yourself out into the middle of the group.

The whole place is designed to reflect community through gathering, spending time together, joining in and feeling secure. The newest accommodation is called the Ray Davy Building, after the inspired founder. Sadly, this architect of the Correymeela Community died only a few weeks ago.

We were well fed and we experienced a variety of worship styles winding our way down into the Croi (Cree) – which is the Irish word for heart. The centre was begun by people of courage, humanity of faith.

Nicola from CTBI, (for whom CMN is the official children’s group) presented CMN’s place within the organisation and how we can find opportunities for work across churches, supported by CTBI.

We heard from Yvonne Naylor who is a long standing Correymeela community member, teacher, and children’s worker. She shared memories of how she has learned, often in a powerful way, from the children she has worked with. The centre in Ballycastle became a sanctuary for families and youth in times of conflict. Correymeela is where children often met those from other communities (Protestant and Catholic) for the first time. During storytelling, they used small group work, agreed house rules and often puppets, as a way to bridge the chasms previously created. We had some practice using the same and enjoyed hearing one another’s stories.

The conference was a truly inspiring 48 hours among those who really care about the future of children and young people. We too, like the Corrymeela Community, are people of courage, humanity and faith.