News
From EMES Annual Meeting 2013
The Epistle from this year’s gathering of Friends in Europe and Middle East Section of FWCC
UN to hold panel on children of parents sentenced to death
The United Nations will for the first time discuss the issue of children with a parent on death row in September. Also, Job Opportunities at QUNO in Geneva.
EMES Annual Report 2012
emes-annual-report-2012.pdf is now available for download from the EMES page of this site.
Among Friends Issue 126
Issue 126 Spring 2013 is now available for download on the About EMES page.
The file can also be made available for download to e-readers (Kobo, iPad etc) and Kindle on request.
Quaker Voluntary Action Programme 2013
Quaker Voluntary Action has published its Programme for 2013.
EMES Peace and Service Consultation 2012
We met once again at Kortenberg, in Belgium. 19 organisations were represented. We explored the theme Being the change we want to see in the world (Gandhi) and practiced how we can come to speak truth with power.
Quaker to head Church and Peace
Church and Peace, the European Ecumenical peace church network, has announced that Davorka Lovreković, a member of German Yearly Meeting, is to be their new General Secretary.
Eurosatory Vigil Veteran Yvonne Kressmann has died
Veteran protester at Eurosatory arms’ trade fair, Yvonne Kressmann, of France Yearly Meeting, has died at the beginning of September 2012. Yvonne maintained a passionate and faithful witness against the arms’ trade for many years, and was an inspiration to Friends around Europe, particularly young Friends.
Appeal from FWCC-Asia West Pacific Section for Filipino Friends
Dear Friends around the world, in 2009, catastrophic flooding took the lives of many Filipinos, especially in Manila, destroyed homes, and the Pasig Friends Church had to be largely rebuilt and it and the pastor’s home was swamped with walls of mud. Your generosity then was magnificent. The flooding this time is less severe, lessons having been learnt from 2009. Pastor Cris de la Cruz has sent photos and a description of the damage this time to Pasig Church.
After Kabarak
How are Friends in Europe and the Middle East responding to the Epistle from the 6th World Conference of Friends and the Kabarak Call for Peace and Eco-Justice?
All Change! at the Quaker Council for European Affairs
After a decade of representing Quakers in Brussels, Liz Scurfield and Martina Weitsch are handing over the reins. Over the past 33 years, successive Representatives have acted as the voice of Quakers at European institutions. After ten years of hard work in Brussels, Liz and Martina are the longest serving Representatives in the history of QCEA. However, from October 2012, the Quaker voice in Brussels will have two new faces.
Central European Gathering of Friends in Niwki, Poland, May 2012
The Epistle from this year’s gathering of Friends in Central Europe, which took place in Niwki, Poland, in May 2012.
The Quakers of Belgium and Luxembourg express dismay at Eurosatory arms fair
From 11 to 15 June 2012, Paris hosts more than a thousand producers and users of the latest means to kill. At the last exhibition in 2010, buyers from Ghaddafi’s Libya were amongst the official guests. Others came from countries that have turned weapons against civilian populations, such as Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and Israel.
Spokespersons for Belgium and Luxembourg Quakers called for this Eurosatory to be the last.
Quaker Voluntary Action News
Quaker Voluntary Action – QVA has launched an appeal jointly with Friends International Center in Ramallah – see QVA FICR Appeal Leaflet
Forthcoming Woodbrooke Courses
Opportunities for learning open to all Friends in Europe and the Middle East
Epistle from 6th World Conference of Friends
Read the Epistle from the 6th World Conference of Friends, and the Call for Peace and Eco-justice.
QCEA Programme Assistants Recruitment 2012
Geneva Quakers speak out against economic injustice
A press release by Geneva Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Switzerland Yearly Meeting). English text below. Also available in French
Friends Gathering in Ukraine 21-23 October 2011
Natasha Zhuravenkova, a staff member of Friends House Moscow writes about this recent gathering where Russian was the main language used to communicate.
Report of Peace and Service Consultation 2011
Once again, 23 representatives from several Quaker organisations and committees based or active in Europe and the Middle East gathered at Kortenberg for the annual Peace and Service Consultation.
New Quaker Meeting established in Malta
Linda Hoy tells of Quaker history past – and in the making.
Is everything divine? Northwest Border Meeting September 2011
A report from a gathering of Friends from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France held in Sittard, Netherlands, in September 2011. The theme was an exploration of the thought of Baruch Spinoza, and his possible connections with Quakers.
Julia Ryberg's Cary Lecture
Julia Ryberg, Co-ordinator of EMES Ministry and Outreach Programme, gave the Cary Lecture at German Yearly Meeting in October 2011. The lecture was entitled Wahrhaftig leben:Ent-täuscht und erhellt werden (English translation Becoming authentic:Disillusionment and Enlightenment).
Late Fees for World Conference of Friends waived till 15th November!!!
Open places are still available for the Sixth World Conference of Friends, but hurry!!! This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity – don’t miss it!
General Secretary for FWCC - Deadline for Application Approaching!
The recruitment of a new General Secretary for FWCC is now underway. Deadline for application is 31st October 2011.
Friends to join the great Ekta Parishad Walk in India
Kate de la Mare, outgoing Clerk of France Yearly Meeting, and her husband Sébastien are to join the year-long preparatory march starting on 2nd October 2011 which will culminate in a great walk towards Delhi gathering about 100,000 walkers by October 2012. The walk is organised by Ekta Parishad.
Ramallah Meeting House - Centennial Celebrations
Marisa Johnson, Secretary to FWCC-EMES, shares her experience of travelling to Ramallah to be with Friends there as they celebrated 100 years of worship from their beautiful Meeting House.
Listening to Local Voices - Friends International Center in Ramallah
Following the Centennial Celebrations in early March 2010, the Friends International Center in Ramallah held a three-day consultation event to evaluate his work for the past 5 years, and to identify any changes in direction for the Center.
Changing the Way we Live to Sustain the World We Live in
A message from Britain Yearly Meeting Gathering, Canterbury 2011
Am'ari Play Centre Appeal
Can you help some 5 year-old children living as refugees in the West Bank to a better start in life?
Reports of historic International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica
The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica, represented a significant step along the journey of rejection of Just War theories, and reclaiming the Just Peace message at the heart of Christianity.
Job Opportunity: World Conference Coordinator
The World Office of Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) is looking for a World Conference Coordinator.
A Message from Quaker United Nations Office
The Directors of Quaker United Nation Offices in Geneva and New York write to Friends everywhere.
Epistle of 2011 Central European Gathering of Friends
Read the Epistle from the 14th Central European Gathering of Friends.
Reflections on Church and Peace Conference May 2011
Marisa Johnson, Secretary of FWCC-EMES, reports from the Conference of Church and Peace held at L’Arche St. Antoine, France, from 19th to 22nd May 2011.
Epistle of the Experiment with Light conference
A group of Friends gathered at Glenthorne from 13 to 16 May 2011 to explore the future of Experiment with Light.
Epistle from the Joint Gathering of FWCC-EMES and EMEYF, Herzberg 2011
The Epistle from the joint gathering of Friends in Europe and the Middle East, which this year was joined by the Central Executive Committee of FWCC, bringing Friends from all over the world.
QCEA Programme Assistants Recruitment 2011
QCEA is looking for individuals to work as Programme Assistants from October/November 2011 for up to 8 months.
Cary Lecture 2010
An inspiring lecture given during German Yearly Meeting 2010 by Heidi Blocher.
Help for Friends in Japan
A message from Tokyo Monthly Meeting. We hold our Friends in the Light, and pray for deliverance for them from further danger.
A New Clerk for EMES
EMES has a new Clerk, Rachel Bewley-Bateman of Ireland Yearly Meeting, who has taken over from Marit Kromberg of Norway Yearly Meeting, whose term of service has come to an end.
Commemorating 350 years since the Peace Declaration
Quakers in Europe and the Middle East have been commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Declaration from the Harmless and Innocent People of God, called Quakers to King Charles II: Our principle is, and our practices have always been, to seek peace, and ensue it, and to follow after righteousness, and the knowledge of God and Well-fare, and doing that which tends to the peace of All.
A Christmas Message
Christopher Hatton, of German Yearly Meeting, currently serving with the Christian Peacemakers Team in At-Tuwani in Palestine, writes:
Peace and Service Consultation 2010
Friends engaged in Peace and Service in Europe and the Middle East met together in Kortenberg, Belgium, in November.
A New Director for QUNO Geneva
The Quaker United Nations Committee (Geneva) is delighted to announce that they have appointed a new Director for QUNO Geneva, to take up the post in June 2011, when David Atwood, the present Director, retires.
Quaker Voice in Estonia on UN International Day of Peace
Friends in Tallinn broadcast a message.
Recent QCEA Activity
The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) held a conference on Working for Peace in the Middle East on 29-31 October.
2010 Border Meeting encompasses the universe
A mild evening in early autumn. We gather in the peaceful grounds of an old monastery, staring in wonder at a starry sky. A prominent Quaker astrophysicist stands among us. Patiently and expertly, she helps us to identify the planets, stars and constellations we are seeing. We ooh and aah. We point and ponder. Science meets religion and they reach a mutual understanding: Awe.
Exhibition of pictures by Richard Kilbey in Eparchial Museum of Church History, Samara
Richard Kilby was part of an American and British Team of Quakers who were engaged in relief work in the Buzuluk region in the period from 1917 to 1931; during the famines that followed World War 1 and the Civil War and the period of reconstruction in the 1920s. On September 6th 2010 Archbishop Sergius opened an exhibition of his pictures in Eparchial Museum of Church History, Samara, Russia.
Epistle of Quaker Youth Pilgrimage 2010
The 2010 Pilgrims share their reflections at the end of their journey.
Meeting for Learning - June 2010
Friends met in June to explore Quaker ways of ministry and community building.
Quaker Vigil outside largest Arms Fair in Europe
Friends young and old bring a message of peace to the largest arms fair in Europe
Jean Zaru receives the Anna Lindh Memorial Prize in Stockholm
Jean Zaru, Clerk of Ramallah Monthly Meeting and author of Occupied with Nonviolence, a Palestinian Woman speaks, has been awarded the Anna Lindh Memorial Prize, which will be presented to her in a ceremony in Stockholm on 10 June 2010.
Director for the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva
Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva needs a new Director from June 2011. Could this be you? If interested, follow the link.
Epistle from Europe and Middle East Young Friends' Spring Gathering 2010
Read, sing or listen the message from the Europe and Middle East Young Friends' Spring Gathering, which took place in Moyallon, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, from 2nd to 9th April 2010.
Reclaiming Eldership - EMES Annual Meeting 2010
EMES Annual Meeting in Haus Venusberg, Bonn, Germany, took as its theme an exploration of eldership in our Meetings today.
Launch of the Olga Dolgina Memorial Fund
The Olga Dolgina Memorial Fund was set up in February 2010 to continue the outreach work Olga was engaged in of making Quaker materials available to Russian speakers in their own language.
Building lives after torture
“The Galloping Stone” by Gillan Allnutt, an Attender at Durham Quaker Meeting, is a collection of writings and poems written and collected during a six months residency with a project in the North East of England helping victims of torture.
Change of Email Address
It has been necessary to change our email address. You will no longer be able to contact us through emes@fwcc.quaker.org. Please use Email
Cash or Old Cell Phones for Burundi
The Quaker Election Violence Prevention Programme in Burundi needs cash or old cell phones to set up an Early Warning System. Can you help?
Czech Friends become a Recognised Meeting
Friends worshipping in the Czech Republic have gained Recognised Meeting status. But what does this mean?
EMES Annual Report for 2009 Published
Read about the life and witness of our Quaker Community in Europe and the Middle East in our Annual Report for 2009.
Appeal for a mental health Project in Russia
Friends House Moscow
Appeal for a mental health project in Russia
Friends House Moscow is an initiative of Friends worldwide which seeks to encourage spiritual growth and the development of civil society based on mutual trust and community co-operation, in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Quaker Voluntary Action unveils 2010 Programme
An exciting programme of Working Retreats on the them of “Exploring our Peace Testimony” has been unveiled by Quaker Voluntary Action.
Quakers and the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit
Read about the Quaker experience of the Copenhagen Summit.
Publication of Among Friends Issue No. 117 - Winter 2009/10
The latest issue of Among Friends has gone to press.
Young Quaker to document the lives of women victims of war in South Sudan
A Young Friend’s quest to discover the truth of women’s lives affected by war.
Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva - Opportunities
The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva will hold a Summer School in July 2010, and is seeking to appoint two programme assistants for the period 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011 after a 2-week preparation period in the UK from 16 to 27 August 2010.
Responsibility to Protect and "Towards a Declaration on Just Peace" - some Responses to the World Council of Churches
Friends in Europe consider responses to the concept of Responsibilty to Protect and the WCC document “Towards a Declaration on Just Peace”.
Biblical Analysis of Lev. 18:22 by Renato Lings, PhD
Dr. Renato Lings, of Denmark Yearly Meeting, has published an article in Theology & Sexuality, Dec. 2009 on: The “Lyings” of a Woman: Male–Male Incest in Lev. 18:22?
Georgian Friends rent a space to hold their Meetings for Worship
Friends in Tblisi have a new place to worship in. With donations from individual Friends locally and Meetings abroad, and with the support of New York Yearly Meeting, they have been able to rent a flat for seven months.
Friends in Manila say "thank you"
The Philippine Yearly Meeting is very grateful to all Quakers around the world who supported them during the tragedy. In response to this enormous and generous support, Friends have created a video as a gesture of their appreciation for the help they received.
Congo Emergency Appeal
Alarming news is reaching us from Congo that fighting has broken out again in the area where Friends from Communauté des Églises Évangéliques des Amis au Congo or CEEACO live.
Global Change Coordinator Sought
FWCC World Office is seeking to fill a fixed term position of part-time coordinator:
Building a Quaker-inspired retreat Centre in Portugal
Lizzie Collman describes a life-changing move to Portugal and an ambitious project to create an environmentally-sensitive development underpinned by Quaker values.
Quaker groups meet in Kortenberg
From 6th to 8th November 23 Friends representing 20 different Quaker organisations and groups active in Peace and Service across Europe and beyond, met in the lovely old abbey at Kortenberg to share news and concerns, to reflect on their work and its challenges, to support each other, and to look for ways of working together in the future.
Ausstieg aus der Wehrpflicht - German Friends speak on Conscription
German Yearly Meeting in session from 15th to 18th October, decided to write to members of the German Parliament to support moves by the new Government to abolish compulsory conscription into the army. (German with English Translation- auf Deutsch mit Englishe Übersetzung).
Coming from the Silence
Just published:
Coming from the Silence: Quaker Peacebuilding Initiatives in Northern Ireland 1969–2007
Edited by Ann Le Mare and Felicity McCartney
Help with translating Quaker texts
Translating Quaker concepts and ideas from English into other languages can be quite a challenge. Yet it is important people anywhere should be able to discover and explore what Friends have treasured for over 350 years. Now an experienced translator and interpreter, Danish Friend K Renato Lings, has produced a set of guidelines for translators.
Summer 09 Issue of Among Friends
The latest issue of Among Friends went to press this week. Catch up with news of Friends, and take up the challenge posed in Johan Maurer’s article about the future of the Society of Friends in Europe.
Australian Quaker Centre
Visiting Australia between September and the end of the year? Take a week off from visiting family and/or friends, or just exploring, and spend some time visiting this exciting new Australian Quaker Centre.
An Australian Directory for Travelling Friends has also been published.
Central European Friends Gathering 2009
Friends from Central European countries (and a few from further afield) gathered in Vienna at the end of May to consider the ‘Challenges and Blessings of Small Meetings’.
Read their epistle.
Spring 2009 Issue of Among Friends
The Spring 2009 Issue of Among Friends, No. 114 is now available as a pdf download. Read about our Annual Meeting in Moyallon, and gatherings of Young Friends in Damascus, Clerks at Woodbrooke, and Friends at Lindenberg. Learn why the European elections should matter to Friends, and lots more.
Annual Meeting 2009
45 Friends from 17 countries came together at the Moyallon Centre, by one of the oldest Meeting Houses in Northern Ireland. In the words of Libby Perkins, Representative of France Yearly Meeting: “The whole weekend went with a “buzz” which translates best as un bourdonnement – i.e. a steady purposeful business with plenty of flashes of Light”. Read the epistle (see attached) and look at our pictures – with thanks to Björn Rhode-Liebenau of German Yearly Meeting and Kerstin Backman of Sweden Yearly Meeting.
2008 FWCC EMES Annual Report
We’ve published our annual report for 2008, available as a pdf download
Quaker Youth Pilgrimage 18th July – 15th August 2008
This summer the biennial Quaker Youth Pilgrimage took place in the British Isles. The theme was “A Journey through Conflict to Peace”. Organised by the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), the month long journey brought together young friends from across the world and from a variety of traditions of Quakerism.
Opening to change
In January Philip Austin was one of three Friends from Britain YM to attend a peace gathering in Philadelphia entitled ‘Heeding God’s Call’.
Crisis in Gaza – Statement by the Executive Committee of EMES - December 2008
Friends in Europe and the Middle East reach out in grief and solidarity to all Friends caught up in the appalling violence that is once again being visited upon the inhabitants of Gaza.
Visiting Friends in the Baltic Region
Julia Ryberg, EMES Ministry and Outreach Co-ordinator, reflects on a visit to Friends in Countries around the Baltic which she undertook with Marisa Johnson at the end of last summer.
5 days with Georgian Friends
Michael Eccles of Britain Yearly Meetings writes about a visit to Georgia
