News
Quaker attention on peace and Ukraine
Initiatives around the FWCC EMES Section in response to the war in Ukraine.
EMES Annual Meeting 2026 Language Survey
In preparation for EMES annual meeting we ask you to share your translation needs and wishes with us. Please share this with anyone in your meeting who might need translation at AM.
The survey itself is in French, German, Italian, Polish, and Russian.
Pastoral Visit to Friends in the Baltic States
Read Michael Eccles’ report of a pastoral visit to Friends in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in November 2025
EMES Annual Meeting 2026 Language Survey
In preparation for EMES annual meeting we ask you to share your translation needs and wishes with us. Please share this with anyone in your meeting who might need translation at AM.
The survey itself is in French, German, Italian, Polish, and Russian.
Pastoral Visit to Friends in the Baltic States
Read Michael Eccles’ report of a pastoral visit to Friends in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in November 2025
Peace Hero Calendar: Twelve Acts of Courage Against War
Read more about the Peace Hero Calendar produced by Nash Dom
EMEYF-EMES All Age Gathering 2026 - help us bring Friends together
Please join our campaign and help us build an all age community in August 2026 at the EMEYF-EMES All Age Gathering
Epistle from the QCEA General Assembly November 2025
Read the epistle from the Quaker Council for European Affairs General Assembly held on the 14-15 November 2025
Epistle from France YM 2025
Read the epistle from France YM, held in Paris on the 24-26 October 2025
Epistle from All Poland Gathering 2025
Read the epistle from All Poland Gathering, held in Warsaw on the 7-9 November 2025
Epistle from German YM 2025
Read the epistle from German YM, held at Quakerhaus Bad Pyrmont on the 16-19 October 2025
Friends House Moscow needs you! Can you offer us your Talents?
Friends House Moscow is asking for help with their Quaker work.
Send a letter of Support for Conscientious Objector Semyon Subbotin
By sending letters of support to the Prosecutor General of Armenia we hope to help conscientious objector Semyon Subbotin get into the Shengen area and therfore to safety from persecution by the Russian military.
You can help by copying the letter the Peace and Service Network has drafted and sending it signed as an individual or a group.
Epistle from the Annual Gathering of Quakers in Italy 2025
Read the epistle from the Annual Gathering of Quakers, held in the Apennine hills on the 25-27 July 2025
Epistle from Nordic Yearly Meeting 2025
Read the epistle from Nordic Yearly Meeting, held in Stavanger on the 3-6 July 2025
Nordic YM - news from Gaza
Read news from a nurse in Gaza which we received at Nordic YM in July 2025
The night train to Kyiv - stories from a pastoral visit to Quakers in Ukraine
Read about the joint Central European YM and EMES pastoral visit to Ukraine in May 2025
Creating a network for peace – 2025
For over 10 years from the mid-1990s I was an active member of Mothers for Peace
Epistle from Central European Yearly Meeting 2025
Read the epistle from Central European Yearly Meeting, held in Terezín on the 5-8 June 2025
Pastoral Care visit to Friends in the Middle East
Read Michael Eccles’ report of the recent pastoral visit he and Ethel Livermore made to Friends in the Middle East in April 2025
Epistle from Britain Yearly Meeting 2025
Read the epistle from Britain Yearly Meeting, held in London on the 24-26 May 2025
Epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg Yearly Meeting 2025
Read the epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg Yearly Meeting, held in Brussels on the 2-4 May 2025
EMES Annual Meeting 2025 Epistle
Loving greetings to Friends everywhere from the FWCC Europe and Middle East Section Annual Meeting 2025 held online and in Warsaw
FWCC EMES Annual Report 2024 - Faith in Action: Quaker work in Europe & the Middle East
The FWCC EMES 2023 annual report 2024 – Faith in Action: Quaker work in Europe & the Middle East is available to download
Epistle from EMEYF Spring Gathering 2025
Read the epistle from the EMEYF Spring Gathering held 12-19 April 2025 in Brittebo Lägergård, Sweden
Epistle from Ireland Yearly Meeting 2025
Read the epistle from Ireland Yearly Meeting, held in Lisburn on the 25-27 April 2025
EMEYF Spring Gathering
Register for EMEYF Spring Gathering!
A week long retreat for Young Adult Friends aged 18-35 to live in community and explore the theme “Fear, Faith and Integrity in the Presence of Conflict.” togehter.
Among Friends Issue 161 Winter 2024
Among Friends Issue 161 Winter 2024 is now ready to be downloaded.
WPM 2024 Presentation
Download a template presentation that can be used to report back on the FWCC World Plenary Meeting to your meetings
Epistle from the All Poland Gathering 2024
Read the epistle from the All Poland Gathering held on the 8 – 11 November 2024 in Katowice
Epistle from German Yearly Meeting 2024
Read the epistle from German YM held on the 31 October – 3 November 2024 in Bonn
Epistle from Annual Gathering of Quakers in Italy 2024
Read the epistle from the Annual Gathering of Quakers in Italy held on the 8 – 10 November 2024 near Florence
Epistle from the QCEA General Assembly November 2024
Read the epistle from the Quaker Council for European Affairs General Assembly held on the 15-16 November 2024
EMES Youthgroup gathering in Walberberg - 3 reports
Read about the EMES Youthgroup gathering in September 2024
Among Friends Issue 160 Summer 2024
Among Friends Issue 160 Summer 2024 is now ready to be downloaded.
World Plenary Meeting Epistle and Weaving Document
From August 5th to August 12th around 500 Quakers from 53 countries gathered in business, worship and fellowship at the World Plenary Meeting in Johannesburg and online.
World Plenary Meeting hubs in EMES
On this page we will list all the hubs in EMES that are available during the FWCC World Plenary Meeting in August 2024
Meet the new EMES Communication & Networking Coordinator
We are pleased to announce that Julia Walloch will be joining the EMES staff team in July as our new Communication & Networking Coordinator.
Epistle from Netherlands Yearly Meeting 2024
Read the epistle from Netherlands Yearly Meeting 2024
Epistle from Central European Yearly Meeting 2024
Read the epistle from Central European Yearly Meeting 2024
Belgium and Luxembourg Yearly Meeting celebrates with a Community Day
On May 4, 2024, Belgium and Luxembourg Yearly Meeting celebrated a “Community Day” together at Friends House, Brussels. 17 Friends, and friends of Friends, participated. Read the report and view pictures of the day together.
Today we have pens instead of keys: Just a card, or just a letter
Support Russian prisoners of conscience by writing letters through Rights in Russia.
EMES Annual Meeting 2024 Epistle
Loving greetings to Friends everywhere from the FWCC Europe and Middle East Section Annual Meeting 2024 held online.
Epistle from Switzerland Yearly Meeting 2024
Read the epistle from Switzerland Yearly Meeting 2024
Among Friends Issue 159 Spring 2024
Among Friends Issue 159 Spring 2024 is now ready to be downloaded.
Epistle from the EMEYF Spring Gathering 2024
Read the epistle from the Europe & Middle East Young Friends Spring Gathering
Epistle from the QCEA General Assembly March 2024
Read the epistle from the Quaker Council for European Affairs General Assembly held on the 22-23 March 2024
Quaker Service Norway appeal for Gazan kindergarten community
We are reminded daily of how terrible the situation is for the people of Gaza. Quaker Service Norway has maintained contact with our partner in Gaza, the Palestinian Early Childhood Education Program (PECEP), ever since the war started on 7 October last year and offers Friends to the chance to contribute to programmes for kindergarten families and staff.
FWCC EMES Annual Report 2023
The FWCC EMES 2023 annual report is available for download. The report, which covers activities across the Section from January to December 2023, leads with information about FWCC EMES activities during the year.
EMES Hubs for the FWCC World Plenary Meeting 2024
Through our work on the World Plenary Meeting Tech Working Group, EMES is available to help hubs around our Section participate in the WPM 2024
Some thoughts about stillness
A reflection by the Swedish author Jeanna Oterdahl on stillness, translated by Solveig-Karin Erdal and including the original text from the Nordic Quaker Journal 1957.
Russian speaking gathering of Friends held in Tbilisi, Georgia - October 2023
In mid-October I travelled to Tbilisi to attend a gathering of Russian speaking Friends organised by Friends House Moscow (FHM).
EMEYF Annual Meeting November 2023 - closing minute
Read the closing minute from the EMEYF annual meeting 2023
Epistle from the QCEA General Assembly November 2023
Read the epistle from the Quaker Council for European Affairs General Assembly held on the 17-18 November 2023
Successful joint campaign raises support for the Ramallah Friends School
Ramallah Friends School head Rania Ma’ayeh extends her thanks to donors in the joint fundraising campaign for RFS via QuIET.
Epistle from the All Poland Gathering 2023
Read the epistle from the All Poland Gathering 2023.
Travelling to Quakers in Italy gathering
Executive Secretary Michael Eccles reflects on his train journey to the Quakers in Italy gathering in November 2023.
Epistle from the Italian Friends Annual Gathering 2023
Read the epistle from the Italian Friends Annual Gathering 2023.
Quaker attention on peace in the Middle East
Initiatives around the FWCC EMES Section in response to the war in the Middle East.
EMES Youthgroup gathers in Heerlen - 2 reports
Read about the EMES Youthgroup gathering in September 2023, in English and Czech.
Epistle from EMEYF Spring Gathering 2023
Read the epistle from the EMEYF Spring Gathering 2023.
Welcome to our new EMES Assistant Treasurer
At our Annual Meeting 2023, we named a new Assistant Treasurer and she has now begun her work. We welcome her and invited her to write a short introduction, similar to remarks she delivered at Annual Meeting.
Peace and Service Network Member reports on Ukraine Peace Summit
Peace and Service Network member reflections on the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Vienna, June 2023
Report from IPC and CEC meeting in South Africa
Executive Secretary Michael Eccles shares an update from recent meetings in South Africa in preparation for the World Plenary Meeting- registration opens soon!
Among Friends Issue 157 Summer 2023
Among Friends Issue 157 Summer 2023 is now ready to be downloaded.
EMES Spiritual Growth Fund- 2022 Grants
The EMES Spiritual Growth Fund strengthens Quakers’ shared identity, connections, outreach and values in the wider community across our Section. Read about our 2022 grantees and consider applying!
Brummana High School celebrates 150 years, invites Friends to sustain its future
Brummana High School, a Quaker school in Lebanon, celebrates 150 years. The Chair of the Quaker International Educational Trust and the BHS School Principal invite Friends to support its work.
Epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg Yearly Meeting 2023
Read the epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg YM 2023.
The Central European Gathering forms a new Yearly Meeting
At its meeting in May 2023 in Gdansk the Central European Gathering made the historic decision to become a Yearly Meeting.
Epistle from Central European Gathering 2023
Read the epistle from the Central European Gathering 2023.
Five Minutes for Sustainability- Kees Nieuwerth addresses the Annual Meeting 2023
Kees Nieuwerth of Netherlands YM speaks to the Annual Meeting 2023 about sustainability.
EMES Annual Meeting 2023 Epistle
Dear Friends, Loving greetings to Friends everywhere from the FWCC Europe and Middle East Section Annual Meeting 2023, meeting at Woodbrooke, UK and online.
FWCC EMES Annual Report 2022
The FWCC EMES 2022 annual report is available for download. The report, which covers activities across the Section from January to December 2021, leads with information about FWCC EMES activities during the year.
Quaker Council for European Affairs - General Assembly April 2023 Epistle
Read the epistle from the QCEA General Assembly held in March-April 2023
Address by Marisa Johnson to Queen’s College Chapel Evensong, Cambridge
An address by former EMES Executive Secretary Marisa Johnson to the Christian congregation at the Queen’s College Chapel, 5th February 2023
Marigold Bentley on work in Israel and Palestine
Over 30 F/friends from around the Section attended the EMES Peace and Service Network online meeting to hear Marigold Bentley share lessons from 40 years years of work in Israel and Palestine.
Quaker International Educational Trust meets in Brummana
Quaker International Educational Trust (QuIET) held its twice yearly board meeting at Brummana Friends School in Lebanon, facing economic and political hurdles to offer Friends-inspired education for students of diverse backgrounds.
Friends World Committee for Consultation - Global Fundraising Campaign
Please join us on a special campaign to make the next World Plenary Meeting (WPM) the most inclusive gathering of Quakers ever.
Quaker Council for European Affairs - General Assembly November 2022 Epistle
Read the epistle from the QCEA General Assembly held in November 2022
EMES youthgroup meeting report September 2022
A youth participant recounts his experience of the first in-person EMES’ Youthgroup meeting in Strasbourg, September 2022
Epistle from Quakers in Italy Annual Gathering
Read the Epistle from Quakers in Italy Annual Gathering
Report on the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
A reflection by Kees Nieuwerth – Netherlands YM on the WCC Assembly, Karlsruhe, Germany- 31st August to 9th September 2022.
Evangelical Friends mission to Ukraine
Antal “Tony” Frei, pastor of EFC Hungary, shares this report from Evangelical Friends’ recent mission to Ukraine
Meet the new EMES Elders
We are pleased to announce the new EMES Elders appointed at Annual Meeting 2022. Welcome George Thurley, Annika Hollsing and Jasmine Piercy
Kabarak Call for Peace and Ecojustice 2012 - in Dutch
Dutch Friend Jethro Zevenbergen has translated the Kabarak Call for Peace and Ecojustice 2012 into Dutch.
Epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg YM 2022
Read the epistle from Belgium & Luxembourg Yearly Meeting 2022.
Meet the new EMES Communication & Programme Officer
We are pleased to announce that Evan Welkin will be joining the EMES staff team in July as our new Communication & Programme Officer.
Epistle from Central European Gathering 2022
Read the epistle from the Central European Gathering 2022.
EMES Annual Meeting 2022 Epistle
Dear Friends, Loving greetings to Friends everywhere from the FWCC Europe and Middle East Section Annual Meeting 2022, meeting in Paris and online.
FWCC EMES Annual Report 2021
The FWCC EMES 2021 annual report is available for download. The report, which covers activities across the Section from January to December 2021, leads with information about FWCC EMES activities during the year.
Among Friends Issue 153 Spring 2022
Among Friends Issue 153 Spring 2022 is now ready to be downloaded.
Fundraising for Quaker work to support Ukrainian refugees
Friends in some of the countries surrounding the Ukraine are doing work to support Ukrainians. Here are some ways you can support this work.
Quaker attention on peace and Ukraine
Initiatives around the FWCC EMES Section in response to the war in Ukraine.
February 2022 FWCC EMES meetings for worship for Russian and English speakers
Русскоязычное Собрание EMES
Из-за ситуации в Украине мы решили отложить наше запланированное на эти выходные русскоязычное мероприятие-встречу. Вместо этого мы проводим Молитвенное Собрание онлайн, чтобы молиться за мир:
Step into Spring 2022 with the Quaker in Europe course
A new version of the Quaker in Europe course is set to start in March 2022, bringing together newcomers to the Quaker way from across Europe in a supportive environment to explore Quaker themes online.
Allié∙e∙s contre la discrimination
Avez-vous vécu une situation où quelque chose de discriminatoire ou biaisé s’est produit, et vous ne saviez pas trop comment réagir ? Puis le moment est passé et vous n’avez rien dit ?
Cet atelier collaboratif et interactif vous aidera à élargir votre répertoire de réponses face aux commentaires ou comportements aberrantes.
Behind the scenes at a hybrid Yearly Meeting
At Switzerland Yearly Meeting we held our Yearly Meeting event in 2021 at our usual venue, Herzberg, with participation from Quakers in person and online. We had indeed a technical team of 3 willing Friends. One person was on Zoom and two were at the venue.
Among Friends Issue 152 Autumn 2021
Among Friends Issue 152 Autumn 2021 is now ready to be downloaded.
Epistle from the EMEYF Summer Gathering 2021
Read the epistle from the EMEYF Summer Gathering 2021.
2021 PSC annual event report
The annual Peace and Service Consultation took place online for the second year in a row, in response to pandemic-related uncertainty.
Quaker Council for European Affairs - General Assembly November 2021 Epistle
Read the epistle from the QCEA General Assembly held on the 12-13 November 2021.
Quakers committed to COP26 in Glasgow
Quakers across Europe and the Middle East and beyond are participating in efforts to ensure a successful result to worldwide negotiations on responding to climate breakdown.
Quaker work with ex-ambassador leads to peace prize
A new video has been released that tells the story of how a Dutch former ambassador and diplomat converted to being an advocate for peace and has now been recognised for his efforts.
Quakers across Europe celebrate World Quaker Day
From Nantes to Tallinn, Quakers marked World Quaker Day on 3 October 2021
Epistle from the Central European Gathering 2021
Epistle from the Central European Gathering 2021
QuIET seek new trustees
The Quaker International Education Trust are looking for new trustees.
Update from Brummana High School, June 2021
At our Annual Meeting, Friends in EMES were very moved by the powerful presentation about Friends in the Lebanon, and about Brummana High School
A helping hand to children in Gaza
1000 children in the Gaza Strip are at risk of losing trauma follow-up and day care facilities
EMES Annual Meeting 2021 Epistle
To Friends everywhere, greetings: One hundred and two Friends from all corners of Europe, the Middle East and further afield met together online from 7-9 May 2021
EMES Annual Report 2020
The EMES Annual Report 2020 is now available to download on our website.
2021 EMES annual meeting preparations under way
The EMES annual meeting takes place online from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 May 2021. Over 80 people have registered to take part in the event, for which there is no fee for participation.
