Visitation among Friends: FGConnections, Summer 2004
Quaker Finder
by Tommy Gipson
I wasn’t looking for Quakers, but I found them anyway. Over a year ago, I took a test at beliefnet.com at the prompting of my daughter and the results suggested I was 100 percent Quaker. I admit I knew little about Quakers and associated them, as do so many others, with the Amish. I began exploring the internet and found some excellent web sites introducing me to the wide diversity of Friends today as well as the rich history of Friends. I quickly identified with Friends and realized the test at beliefnet.com had been very accurate in my case. I am a Quaker and never knew it.
I bought dozens of books and tracts and continued to explore many wonderful websites. Like a sponge I absorbed all that I could for about six months before I decided it was time to attend a Meeting. I found a website to locate the nearest Quaker meeting at: www.quakerfinder.org. I entered my zip code and found the closest meeting to me was in Tallahassee. On my first visit to TMM I was prepared to leave at the slightest hint of being uncomfortable. But I did not run away. Instead, I found a warm, wonderful group of Friends and joined them in Worship. That first visit encouraged continued visits to worship with Friends and recently led me to my first yearly meeting (SEYM). It was true joy to me to be surrounded by such happy and loving people.
I am grateful, deeply thankful to have been led to a group of people who are (and historically have been) minding the Light of Christ. To find unity with others who choose to walk in the Light in simplicity and without empty words has been a life changing event for me.
