Europe and Middle East Section Annual Meeting

28 – 30 May 2026 | Online
From across Europe and the Middle East, about 80 Friends gathered for worship, fellowship and consideration of business matters at our Annual Meeting. Throughout the gathering, our hearts and minds were especially occupied with the Friends affected by the wars in our section, in Ukraine and across the Middle East. For an epilogue on the first evening, an Estonian Friend read a poem by Merle Veesalu Rand that begins, Nobody knows how many prayers have been said for them. These words speak to the fragile moment we are in and remind us of the spiritual bonds between us, even when we are far apart.
This year we took time at the Annual Meeting to hear about the experiences of Friends across the section. A Friend from Lebanon spoke of the desperate situation in his country and for the Brummana Friends School. In his words, we heard deep sadness but also resilience. Friends in Lebanon have done what they can to assist refugees, even as Friends themselves are suffering from the devastation to their country. Support from international Quakers is invaluable. Middle East Yearly Meeting was scheduled for this spring but had to be cancelled. Friends hope for “better times”.