Update: AYM are currently raising money for their friends in Kolkata during the time of Covid-19. Find out more here!

Anglican Youth Movement (AYM) Houses have found new ways to function during the COVID-19 lockdown, and are using the time as an opportunity for growth. AYM Houses, a collective of our young people living in intentional community, are spread across thirteen houses in our diocese. The group of almost 60 live in daily rhythms of prayer, hospitality and serving, with a focus on youth work.

Each of them are involved in a local parish, where they serve as youth leaders. They aim to serve outwardly, and equally to journey deeply with their young people. Amilie Paynter — who leads AYM and the houses alongside her husband Luke — said that the AYM House crew had been connecting with their young people in deeper and more consistent ways since lockdown began, and have been creative in facing the challenges presented. “They’d probably be having more contact with them now than they ever have done, and that makes us quite proud,” she said.

Although some House crew have shifted home to be with family, they still participate in the rhythms virtually, and engage in the livestream services of their parishes. They’ve also been hosting regular virtual youth groups, making use of Zoom’s ‘breakout’ feature to have smaller discussions within the wider group. They’re engaging on all platforms, from adopting Zoom to making Instagram accounts for their youth groups, and this has made connecting easier than usual for some people. “Young people who wouldn’t ordinarily connect in person, are able to connect online in a safe way,” said Paynter.

As well as strengthening their outward connections, the AYM Houses community have enjoyed the company within their own bubbles. Paynter explained that there was no shortage of “bonding and banter”. Amilie is hopeful about this time, and believes God had been preparing their leadership team for this situation. Leading up to the lockdown, their huddle of regional leaders had been working through a book called Canoeing the Mountains, by Tod Bolsinger, which was based around Christian leadership in uncharted territory. 

As they read, a quote stuck out to her: If your team doesn't trust you on the map, they’re not going to trust you when you take them off the map. “You need trust, and I feel like we’ve got that,” she said. “We’re not trying to survive lockdown, we are aiming for our whole movement to thrive.”

You can also find out about online services and daily offices happening around the diocese here. 

Article by Tessa Guest