Groningen, 8 December 2002

Dear Friend,

We are writing to let you know about the European and Middle East Young Friends Spring Gathering 2003 which will be held in the Lutheran Institute of Education, Révfülöp, Hungary, from 11th to 18th April, 2003. A special aspect to this will be the linking of our meeting with the meeting of the European and Middle East Section, which will be held directly after ours from 18th to 20th April. We are very happy with the opportunity for Young Friends to stay on for this event as well. Some of their speakers have also been so kind as to agree to come a few days earlier and speak to us as well.

The theme of the gathering will be “Norms and Values: who we are and what we live by”. Our aim is to come to a better understanding of what influences our actions, and how we can have a positive influence in the world. There are various ways in which we hope to explore the theme. One session will be a drama workshop led by Joy Liengaard. She is a voice teacher who works with inner voice and bringing out the creativity in each person using role playing, drama games and improvisation skills. A Hungarian Quaker will also talk about being in an isolated group of Quakers and of course tell us something about Hungary itself! Mike Stokes, a Young Friend who has worked in Bosnia with an arts project to help children affected by war, will hopefully be coming to speak to us about his experiences there. And there will be other speakers and activities!

Apart from speakers we will have small groups to explore these issues more deeply and to get to know each other better. And besides all the serious business there will naturally be time for fun, play and games. We will have an outing for a day in which we will explore the beautiful surroundings of Révfülöp.

The city of Révfülöp is small and calm. Lake Balaton is only a 5 minutes walk from the Lutheran Institute, and has many beautiful and relaxing walks on its shores! A hill, called Fülöphegy, is also very nearby, waiting to be climbed by a bunch of Young Quakers!

The centre itself is fantastic - nice rooms and meals served three times a day without washing-up! Besides that they’ve got a spacious chapel in the building that will be ideal for worship. It is especially hoped that the location will encourage young friends from Eastern European countries to attend.

For even more good reasons to get you interested in coming, do have a look at our websites:

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

With all good wishes,

EMEYF Spring Gathering Planning Group.

Application forms can be sent to:

Anneke Spreij

Tuinbouwstraat 98A

9717 JM Groningen

The Netherlands