Brno gathering

Brno, in the Czech Republic, hosted a recent gathering of Friends from central Europe. Cathy Butler reports on an emerging ‘Regional Meeting’.

by Cathy Butler 23rd June 2017

In the dozen or so years that I have been attending the Central European Gathering (CEG), we have seen much growth in the individual Meetings and worship groups that come together for this event, and for the last few years a movement evolving towards becoming the ‘Central European Regional Meeting’. This follows bridge-building started by Friends in Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary, gathering isolated Quakers and groups in central Europe.

At the 2013 CEG the sense that it had ‘come to feel like our Yearly Meeting’ arose in both epistle drafting and from participants in the Meeting for Worship for Business. Since then we have engaged in an exploration of what a more structured organisation would involve, and how it would benefit members and Meetings.

We are living adventurously by proposing a novel form of ‘Regional Meeting’, embracing Friends and attenders across a wide area of Europe. We are grateful for the support and encouragement that the Europe and Middle East Section (EMES) of the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) have given us in considering the challenges involved.

We began by holding two preparation meetings during the year, for learning, discussion, fellowship, preparation for the annual CEG and dealing with any financial matters arising between gatherings. These were smaller events, but representatives came to these additional meetings from all over the area. This has nourished involvement and stimulated action by individual groups and the body as a whole.

At the 2016 CEG in Poland it was decided that we would, in time, definitely move towards becoming the ‘Central European Regional Meeting’. This will take whatever time it needs. A big step was taken in appointing a nominations committee, who found nominees for clerk, assistant clerk, treasurer and two elders. These were duly appointed and I am now one of the elders.

This year we added yet another element in appointing an Epistle Drafting Committee, which did an excellent job. Our 2017 gathering, 18-21 May, was the first under the new dispensation. Fifty-three people, including nine children (plus one dog) from all over Europe, met in the beautiful setting of Penzion Zahrada in Brno, in the Czech Republic.

I have been privileged to be present at all but two CEG gatherings. I have visited individual Meetings and worship groups in Budapest, Prague and Vienna. I have also participated in a European and Middle East Young Friends work camp in Serbia. For the last few years, together with Arne Springorum, I have been clerking CEG Business Meetings, and I am glad to be serving as an elder, with Jalka from Vienna Meeting.

I am grateful to my Local Meeting, Alton, and to my Area Meeting for giving me financial support to take part in CEG for many years. They have in this way helped and shared in what I have found an inspiring, spiritually fulfilling participation in an exciting Quaker development.

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