history

 

Globally, the Macon Quaker Worship Group is affiliated with the unprogrammed, meditative branch of Quakerism held by Friends General Conference (FGC). Quakerism, also called The Religious Society of Friends, began with George Fox of England in the mid-1600's and arrived in North America by the 1700's. The greatest concentration of the nearly 80,000 Quakers in the U.S. today (all branches) is in the Northeast, especially in and around Pennsylvania (recall William Penn's "Holy Experiment"). Traditionally, the faith has been classified under the umbrella of Christian Protestantism. However, people from many faith traditions, or even no faith tradition, find Quakerism a beautiful and powerful framework for living.  

Regionally, the group is affiliated with the Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting Association (SAYMA) and is under the care of the Atlanta Friends Meeting. The group began meeting in 2011 in the home of its founding members John and Diana Day. Diana served five years as the first clerk. When the Days moved to North Georgia in 2018, the group secured its current meeting space within Macon's High Street Unitarian Universalist Church, and Kellie Divis became the clerk and served for six years. While at the UU Church, the group developed opportunities for children as well as adults in areas of service, education, and creative expression. In January 2019, the group expanded meetings to twice a month--with a Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business once a month--and began exploring moving its status from "worship group" to full "monthly meeting." However, in 2020, the pandemic and other challenges limited meetings to virtual only. In 2023, the group began meeting in person again in various outdoor locations around Macon and eventually secured a new meeting space within Centenary UMC. In July of 2024, the group welcomed new clerk Pam Wilkins. As we continue to grow in new ways, we wish to be welcoming and easily accessible to all those seeking Quakerism in Macon and throughout Middle Georgia.