Quaker Week 2009 will undoubtedly be a success. As well as drawing new people to explore the Quaker way, this week is an excellent opportunity for Friends to improve their own 'inreach' and learn to work together better.

The excellent advertising campaign of words with the letter 'u' missing is a great way to catch people's attention. The words look odd but the answer can be easily discerned and thus with a sense of success, the viewer is drawn into looking at the rest of the advertisement.

The advertisements have appeared in national newspapers as well as in local and regional media and are a useful tool to alert the public at large that Quakers aren't just a cereal company and hopefully will dispel the myth that we are indeed the Amish.

But the real advertisments for the Quaker way are taking place up and down Britain inside our Meeting houses and more so than ever before, on the streets as Friends take their unique way of worship out to the people.

Regardless of the number of newcomers attracted to these events, one of the key success of Quaker Week 2009 will be Friends inspired to take action together, learn together and solve any conflicts that arise, together.

Not all Quaker Meetings will be holding events this week. In Colchester in Essex, the Meeting house was opened to the public for the town's Heritage Day in September and later on this year the town's Quakers will be holding events to look at issues in overcoming conflict. As well as their Meeting house, events will take place at Essex University and in the Sixth Form College. Although the primary aim of the series is not specifically outreach, well-organised events like this a great way to raise the Quaker profile in the every day life of our towns and cities. When we speak out in the world, it is Quaker week every week.