A common feeling came through that there is still a body of resistance to the concept of Quakers "getting out there". Progress has been made since the last outreach conference in Whitby three and a half years ago.

To say that I was fired up after attending Swanwick would be reasonable many of the ideas I had, Friends House and other Meetings hope to adopt. I did get a good few more ideas to work on. A good networking experience all round.

Jennifer Barraclough opened the conference with a clear, concise and never preachy talk. Salient points included;



The moment when you recognise the Quaker in you. Jennifer went on to elucidate her moments of recognition, the first she realised although recognition was there her moment was "not yet". Twelve or so years later she could realise that her moment was “now”.

Jennifer's journey included meeting Quakers along the way, briefly and as longer term friendships. She felt no pressure but knew they were there and what their philosophy was - once she realised they were Quakers! She asks that we are not shy in letting people know that we are Quakers - but not to be "preachy".
Jennifer advocates a “yes - and” rather than a “yes - but” approach to outreach.

Geoffrey Durham’s talk was entitled "See ourselves as others see us".
An anagram - Friends Meetings = Freeing mind sets.

He advocates listening carefully and adapting our style of approach to those "out there" who have
not heard of Quakers or who have a warped idea of what Quakers do and are.

Staying in our old-style attitudes to outreach is like "winking at a girl in the dark" - Good intent but not seen!

For good outreach we need to know

1  Who we want to reach

2  What they know about Quakers

I refer you to the summary of the market research work done to try to establish the general perception of Quakers(pp two & three, following). The conclusion reached is that there are 400,000 possible Quakers out there. Recipients mind-set is active, not passive, so we must act with humility, not use a preachy approach or too much flowery religiosity!

We were advised never to be amateurish in the way we present ourselves.

Quakers don't have much money so we have to think and be inventive.

Another anagram - Presbyterians = Brittany Spears. Be very aware how we present ourselves and how we are perceived. Work towards clearing the false perceptions.

Click to View Geoffrey Durham’s Presentation

Click Here to see part off Jennifer’s Presentation