Walt Kersey, Quaker

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But the teachings of Quakerism are as important today as when George Fox founded Quakerism and railed against England’s Protestant church and its grip on the people.

As an example, Kersey talked about the group’s approach to decision-making. “We don’t vote, we try to reach unity. Everyone has to more or less agree.” Voting always leaves someone out, he says. Through consensus, Quakers can “find the will of God.”

Fox is credited with founding Quakerism in England around 1652. A shoemaker, Fox was arrested numerous times for preaching that churches were irrelevant in a person’s direct relationship with God, a position that did not sit well with England’s Puritanical leaders. Fox and his converts came to be known as Quakers because he is said to have once told a judge he appeared to tremble at God’s words.

And because Quakers believe in a personal connection with God, many Quaker groups meet without any priests. Instead, the members sit in silence, sometimes for the entire hour, awaiting the word of God in what are described as unprogrammed meetings as the Sacramento branch does.

Kersey was born in Wichita, Kan., where a long line of Kerseys had practiced Quakerism. His family moved to San Bernardino when he was a young boy and Kersey attended the University of California at Los Angeles where he earned his degree in English Literature.

His family was very active in the Methodist church. In fact, his brother was a minister, Kersey says. But when Kersey was about 50, he and his first wife Eva realized were faced with a schism between them and their church. “We were in a difficult time,” Kersey says.

There had been a death in the family and their son was about to be drafted into the service. But from the pulpit all they were hearing was the church’s needs for funds. And since money was tight and they didn't have any to spare, Kersey said he and Eva decided enough is enough. They walked out of a sermon. The following week they attended their first Friends Meeting and found what they needed.

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