In some ways 1993 was a difficult year for EMEYF, but it also had very successful high-points in a large Annual Meeting and an inspiring Spring Gathering. Progress was made too in the on-going activities. February began a rather difficult period for those overseeing EMEYF administration, where, due to unavoidable circumstances, Hannah McEwen, EMEYF's Secretary, resigned. She assisted in delegating tasks to the Communications Committee and other volunteers who filled the gap until the arrival of Ruth Mason as new Secretary in September. EMEYF thanks Hannah and the volunteers for their work. Inevitably, EMEYF's administrative efficiency lapsed somewhat, but by December the administration was running smoothly again in Ruth's capable hands. We recognise anew the vital role played by the Secretary.
The Annual Meeting, held at Easter Barmoor in the UK, also addressed spiritual issues, with its theme ``Faith into Action''. 25 Young Friends from seven countries gathered to share insights and listen to the contributions of the guest-speakers. Meg Chignell, a Quaker theologian, Diane Hendrick, a Quaker working on conflict resolution, and Brother Paul, a Carmelite friar. The ``& Middle East'' claim made for EMEYF membership became a reality at the meeting, with the presence of Shafea El-Gamal, a Palestinian from Israel. Shafea was only able to attend with EMEYF support and it was felt that the difficult decision of the Annual Meeting of pledging a large amount from the budget for his ticket, also represented an instance of faith leading to action. A deepening sense of community, felt by all through the week, gave a wider dimension to this simple gathering. The epistle testified to it: a ``powerful example of how people can live together in a community. We have learned here, through our own experiences, that all life can be sacred, and that all deeds can be sacramental''.
EMEYF's ongoing projects all made progress in 1993. The language group distributed a questionnaire looking at the problems and potentials arising from language use in a multi-lingual community. Six numbers of the magazines have been produced, and its successes include that as a language flagship, with contributions in German, English, French, Norwegian and Dutch. It now publishes a series of testimonies from Young Friends, describing how they live their everyday lives as Quakers, and the meaning of Quakerism for them. EMEYF continued representation at other Quaker fora. Birgit Felleisen completed her second year as representative to the European Quaker Peace Consultation, and Jan Jaap Spreij and Edith Mulder attended the EMES Meeting.
Once again, 1993 was a busy year for those involved in EMEYF, and this provides a good basis to carry our concerns forward into 1994. To facilitate this, and to encourage EMEYF's identity as a spiritual community, rather than as a single high-point revolving round some events in the Spring, there is an on-going discussion on changing the date of the Annual Meeting. This will be brought to the next Annual Meeting along with the wish of the four Communications Committee members to rotate membership, whilst retraining a three-year term of office. This would bring flesh blood to the CC every year and a half. We hope the group will continue to develop in 1994.
Catrin Davis and Ruth Mason.