Athens Religious Society of Friends

Background About Friends

For those not familiar with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), we are seekers of spiritual truth. Quakerism was founded in the mid 1600s by Christians who believed experiencing the Spirit could be achieved individually and that intervention by ordained ministers was not necessary for spiritual growth. We continue that tradition today by continuing to seek and grow spiritually as individuals. We gather as a group to share our journey with other seekers. By gathering to worship together (referred to as Meeting for Worship), we are able to share our journey with other Friends and help each other achieve a greater spiritual understanding. We hold Silent Worship, which consists of an hour of sitting together in silence, with the silence being broken whenever someone feels led to share a message. Although there is no single minister, we all minister to each other. Matters of business are guided by the Clerk, who also opens and closes the worship hour.

If you value simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and sustainability, our Meeting may be for you. We welcome people of all backgrounds, races, religions, and genders. We encourage dynamic, engaging, and heartfelt discussions around topics that help us expand our understanding of ourselves, of each other, and the world in which we live.

Meeting (church) Location

Our small Meeting of Friends (Quakers) gathers every First Day (Sunday) morning for Silent Worship at the historic Cherokee Corner Church, U.S. Highway 78, Arnoldsville, Georgia, just a few miles southeast of Athens (33.894605, -83.233516).

Meeting Time and Format

General:

10:30 - 11:30 Silent Worship
11:30 - 12:30 Discussion

Detailed:

We have an hour of silent worship from 10:30 - 11:30 (for more information please go to our link about Worship). Following worship we share announcements and have fellowship until 11:30. Between 11:30 and 12:30 we engage in discussions on topics that help us grow spiritually and as a community. On the first Sunday of every month we discuss Meeting Business. We also have First Day School (Sunday School) activities for children while the adults are in silent worship.