Why is this Blog called “Willy & Penn”?

Photo of Willy and Penn Magazine in a folder

“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.


EMEYFers meeting in Lichtenfels

Visit a Friend – in Lichtenfels / Germany (2024)

Sep 4, 20241 min read

In August 2024, we had a “Visit a Friend”-Event in Lichtenfels, Bavariy, Germany. Emmie, Mone, Daniel, Paul, Vitek, Meli and Anna attended this meeting which was financially supported my EMEYF via the “Visit a Friend-Fund”.…

Picture of Quaker House Bad Pyrmont EMEYF

Save the date – Annual Meeting

Aug 13, 20241 min read

Hello everyone! We want to let you know that our annual meeting this year will be held on the 22nd – 24th November at the Quaker House in Bad Pyrmont, Germany.

Join us for Craftivism!

Join us for Craftivism!

Jun 25, 20241 min read

Create your own textile gift for a member of the European Parliament or Commission as a reminder to be guided by compassion, integrity and respect during their term of service.

collage with ocean and a hand that puts a vote into a box.

One drop raises the ocean – Vote now!

Jun 6, 20241 min read

Thinking about the rising sea level this sounds perilous, but the metaphor first and foremost exposes our potential and power to shape Europe in a more sustainable, peaceful and respectful way.

Border Meeting North West & EMES Youth Group Gathering 2024 (en/de/nl/fr)

Border Meeting North West & EMES Youth Group Gathering 2024 (en/de/nl/fr)

May 19, 20241 min read

Invitation Border Meeting North West 2024 – “How to live” To help us in this quest we shall look at what we can learn from a 16th century nobleman living in times of violence, hear…

Invitation to EMES survey

Invitation to EMES survey

May 1, 20241 min read

EMES (“European and Middle East Section) is the collective body for Quaker meetings in Europe and the Middle East. They are doing a survey to find out what Quakers in Europe need and how EMES…

EMEYF Spring gathering 2024 Epistle

EMEYF Spring gathering 2024 Epistle

Apr 15, 20241 min read

LIVING FAITHFULLY: SELF-COMMUNITY-WORLD … a love (led) letter… Addressing you as a Friend, we are witness to being part of a wider Will that is not fulfilled in each of us alone, not even in…

Aufbrechen – Reisen – Ankommen / Leave – Travel – Arrive

Aufbrechen – Reisen – Ankommen / Leave – Travel – Arrive

Apr 6, 20241 min read

Wir verabschieden uns von Eggenburg! Einige von uns sind noch unterwegs, andere sind bereits zu Hause angekommen. Wir tragen Erinnerungen, Eindrücke und Umarmungen mit uns. Und Brokkoli-Nudeln vom gestrigen Mittagessen. Obwohl wir versucht haben, so…

Kreative Köpfe / Creative Heads

Kreative Köpfe / Creative Heads

Apr 5, 20241 min read

In dieser Woche haben wir zu verschiedener Zeit an verschiedenen Orten unserer Kreativität freien Lauf gelassen. Lasst euch inspirieren und nehmt selber mal wieder bunte Stifte, Kleber und Schere in die Hand! Oder geht in…

On the Path of Sustainability

On the Path of Sustainability

Apr 5, 20241 min read

Throughout Spring Gathering 2024, we have discussed a lot about sustainability and what role we can play – personally and as a community. (See also here). One consequence of this being that we have decided…