YOUTH DAY 2018

Ten speakers shared their personal reflections on their experience at PBC in terms of how their being different was honoured as well as overlooked. Each session was attended by over 100 people from our 3 different congregations. In addition to hearing talks there was some time for group discussion. The response after the event was as diverse as the participants who shared, just showing the complexity of the nature of what we are doing. It also shows that we are on a journey and are not “there yet”. We need God’s grace and guidance as we keep in step with Him to untangle ourselves from the injustice that seeks to keep us apart.

It was good to allow the speakers to share honestly and perhaps 'uncensored' in a sense which I felt was uncomfortable for many people including myself, but so necessary and appropriate for the format of the event - it's about conversation. The conversation aspect caused us to be vulnerable and perhaps more 'real' than we feel we can be at a Sunday service. This links back to the aim of restoring relationships in our church (we have to get to know each other with whatever history that involves) rather than trying to do it in a secular, academic or intellectual sense

Loved hearing what schoolchildren thought and felt, as well as older participants

It was good to hear the experience of differing racial groups, I assume a lot, and it was good to have my assumptions either echoed or refuted. It was a safe space and I felt heard in my group.Knowing that people who were there were actively trying to change, it made the time spent meaningful.

On behalf of my teenage year old son that attended - he was not interested in what what adults had to say about issues faced pre 1994. As far as he was concerned that had no impact on him - it was in the olden days - 24 years ago! He came believing adults wanted to hear the youth but walked away believing that many adults were not actually interested and had their own agenda by downloading their past. He was very disappointed and walked away despondent.

I learnt that listening to others stories gave me insight to the issues faced in our country. I learnt that I have deep rooted racist feelings which surface when I least expect them to

I learnt that the hurt goes very deep and it's not ok to assume that because apartheid is over things are fine. I still have deep seated prejudices

I do think it's time to do more than just talking - we need to make time to interact with each other in everyday life.

I really feel strongly so much surrender and prayer is needed for this journey after 16 June/21 June's events. Alongside the softening of our hearts towards each other, towards the hard pieces of scripture that point to 'social justice' issues (that we may find we overlook), there is also needed the uncomfortable and perhaps painful undoing of blindspots, unseen materialism, unseen idolatry of everything from 'social justice agendas' to spiritual experiences preferred over true heart-change in PBC's services and life groups

Always helpful hearing other people’s views and especially experiences in order to empathize, get to know actual individuals. I think this helps the process of healing and reconciling and breaking down stereotypes

Thank you to all who have contributed to this expose and movement. These are delicate matters of the heart and not touched on without much courage