“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.
Witnessing Borders: Faith, Identity and Conscience
Our title for Spring Gathering 2026 is Witnessing Borders: Faith, Identity and Conscience. This title emerged through reflection on the conversations opened by last year’s focus on conflict, integrity, and faith. We were drawn to…
Greetings from Cologne
This weekend, the All-Age Gathering planning committee met in Cologne, Germany. We visited the venue for our big event for 8th to 15th of August: the impressive Haus Altenberg. And we came up with lots…
Spring Gathering Registration
Hello Friends, registration for Spring Gathering 2026 is now open! Spring Gathering will be at Forest Manor in Silesia, Southern Poland from the 28th March-4th April and online. Join us for a week of worship,…
Spring Gathering 2026 – Save the Date
Our week-long Spring Gathering takes place in the spring. It is hosted by a different country each year, exploring a theme through worship and discussion. Join us from March 28 to April 4, 2026 at…
Visiting the CompassCollective
Towards the end of September and into early October, 11 Friends from Germany and Switzerland travelled to Sicily to visit NGOs engaged in search-and-rescue deployments on the Mediterranean Sea. Some of us travelled by car…
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,…