“Willy & Penn” is a humorous reference to William Penn, an early Quaker who lived from 1644-1718. As a pacifist, he proposed a European Assembly for peaceful conflict resolution, an early vision of today’s European Union. Penn often travelled with George Fox around Europe and England. He also wrote extensively about Quakerism, and his writings influenced debates within the Quaker community.
In this blog, we also want to share the perspectives of young Quakers. We want to hear your views. And we would like to invite you to our events. Sign up to receive each new post straight to your inbox. And please do leave comments on what you read! We want to engage everyone in an exchange of ideas.
“Willy & Penn” is the magazine of the EMEYF. It started as a printed magazine and is now continued as a blog. Our magazine has existed in many forms since 1990. It got its name in 1993, after a competition that promised chocolate to whoever came up with the best title.
Register and/or Donate for All Age Gathering
8 – 15 Aug 2026 – Europe & Middle East Young Friends (EMEYF) & FWCC Europe & Middle East Section (EMES) All Age Gathering 2026 Registration is now open – click here! All Friends of…
Behind the scenes: Planning a Spring Gathering
On a cold Friday in November, four EMEYFers gathered in QuäkerBüro – these Young Friends, also known as the Spring Gathering 2026 Planning Committee, were in for a weekend of lairs, lengthy discussions and logistics. …
In turbulent times… Be a Quaker!
The Quaker Council for European Affairs works to bring a vision based on the Quaker commitment to peace, justice and equality to Europe and its institutions. Mone is our EMEYF-representative to QCEA. She reports from…
Register for Annual Meeting 2025
Registration is now open for Annual Meeting 2025, which will be held at Quaker House Bad Pyrmont and online, 28-30 November! Please sign up here by 15th November: https://forms.gle/BXvnQr9SRuhFVuE19 We look forward to seeing you there, whether…
All Age Gathering 2026 – Save the Date
Join an international community of Quakers for a week in a beautiful green valley near Cologne in Germany. The theme of the gathering will be connected to the stages of life – all are welcome,…
Annual Meeting – Date
Dear Friends, It is fast approaching the time of year when we hold our Annual Meeting. If you are considering attending, please note that this meeting will be held at Bad Pyrmont in Germany from Fri 28th – Sun 30th November.…
Epistle EMEYF Spring Gathering 2025
Spring Gathering of European and Middle Eastern Young Friends (EMEYF) 12th to 19th April 2025Brittebo Lägergård, Sweden THEME:FEAR, FAITH AND INTEGRITY IN THE PRESENCE OF CONFLICT On the 12th of April, more than 40 young…
Imagine living in Brussels!
Do you know Maison Quaker in Brussels/Belgium? This house was built at the end of the 19th century by a stockbroker named Jean-Julien Van Stappen. Since 1985, it has belonged to a group called the…
Vibrant Friends
“Měl jsem sice od setkání vysoká očekávání, ale byla překonaná tak sedmkrát!““I had high expectations from the gathering, but they were surpassed at least seven times!“(Richard from Czech Republik) “Til tross for lang reisetid til…
Cé a dhéanfaidh…? / Wer wird … ? / Who will be… ?
Ba é seo mo chéad uair ag Coiméad Ainmniúcháin. Bhí sé rud beag imníoch, nuair a iarradh orm dul i dteagmháil le daoine féachaint an bhfuil siad toilteanach agus ábalta gealltanas a thabhairt do phost…