Outreach is the sharing of Quaker spiritual journeys, values, and practices with people who are seeking, by inviting care, solidarity, and an open door rather than conversion.
It means making the presence of Quaker meetings and communities visible: posting clear, accessible information about when and where worship occurs, how to contact the meeting, and what newcomers can expect. It both a tacitly conveyed and an overt invitation that says, “You are welcome here.”
It also includes speaking honestly and invitationally about who Quakers are, what Quakers believe, and how Quakers practice, because many people long for belonging, reflection, and faith rooted in values such as Friends offer: equality, integrity, simplicity, and peaceful living.
Finally, outreach is offering to engage anyone interested in deeper conversations about faith, community, and living intentionally, creating space for spiritual nurture, mutual support, and genuine connection in a world hungry for meaning and belonging.
What can a Quaker meeting do to become stronger, more visible and more welcoming? This question has as much to do with inreach—deepening the spiritual life of the meeting community—as it does with outreach—our message and witness to the world.
Many Quakers deeply long to see our meetings grow – to experience deep and grounded worship, to participate in a thriving and active community life that embraces children, young adults, and diverse voices, and to share the gift of Quaker practice and faith with the wider world. Meaningful growth is about more than numbers and to increase the vitality and voice of the Religious Society of Friends calls for a holistic approach. The resources in this section are designed to address three distinct components of meeting growth: Growing Our Spirits, Growing Our Presence, and Growing Our Quaker Community.
- Growing Our Spirits (Inreach) – strengthening the meeting community, sharing personal journeys, and becoming welcoming and vibrant
- Growing Our Presence (Outreach) – becoming known in the local community through publicity and inviting seekers in
- Growing our Quaker Community (Integrating Newcomers) – welcoming visitors and integrating newcomers into the life of our meetings
The three components of growth – inreach, outreach, and integrating newcomers – are interconnected and equally important in supporting the health and vitality of our meetings.
Often the simple act of thinking about welcoming newcomers, of getting ready to receive them, and of preparing to integrate them into the life of the meeting, will give new life to a meeting.