Outreach is the sharing of Quaker spiritual journeys, values, and practices with people who are seeking. It invites care, solidarity, and an open door rather than conversion.
It also means making Quaker meetings and communities visible. This includes posting clear information about when and where worship occurs, how to contact the meeting, and what newcomers can expect. Outreach is both a quiet message and an open invitation that says: “You are welcome here.”
Outreach includes speaking honestly about who Quakers are, what Quakers believe, and how Quakers practice. Many people long for belonging, reflection, and a faith rooted in values such as equality, integrity, simplicity, and peaceful living.
Finally, outreach means offering deeper conversations about faith, community, and intentional living. It creates space for spiritual nurture, mutual support, and real connection in a world hungry for meaning and belonging.
There are many Outreach Resources connected to this page. Use the menu bar at the right (for a desktop) or at the bottom of the screen (mobile devices) to explore resources.
Three Kinds of Outreach
Many Quakers long to see our meetings grow. We hope for deep and grounded worship. A thriving and active community life that embraces children, young adults, and diverse voices is our goal. Younger Friends often bring a sense of joy, fun, and play that invigorates faith communities. Sharing the gift of Quaker practice and faith with the wider world is also important.
Meaningful growth is about more than numbers. Increasing the vitality and voice of the Religious Society of Friends calls for a holistic approach.
The resources on these pages focus on three key parts 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 to people of all ages.
- 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. Outreach to newcomers is key!
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. In addition, an openness to new ways of doing things can bring new life to old practices.
Additional Resources
The Transforming Quaker Welcoming Poster suggests questions and conversation starters that can build relationships across differences and contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere for all. Consider printing several copies for your meeting to hang in the meetinghouse, share in the newsletter, and launch a conversation about welcoming.
The You Are Welcome Here! booklet includes short articles describing welcoming and outreach, collected over seven years by QuakerQuest Travel Team volunteers. You’ll also find a facilitation guide for leading a 60-90-minute interest group about the You Are Welcome Here! booklet with people from your meeting. The activities focus on discussing what it means to be welcoming, exploring the articles in the booklet, and discovering more good ideas and great practices that already work well in our meetings.
Last updated December 12, 2025.