On Thursday, February 8, Macon-Bibb County held the first Mayor’s Council of Clergy Luncheon of 2024 at the Tubman African American Museum. This month’s meeting featured comments by Mayor Lester Miller, Reverend Jason McClendon, Pastor Sara Pugh Montgomery, Steve Daugherty, Rhonda Williams, Dr. John Dunaway, James Lewis, Reverend Payton Stone, and Dr. Henry Ficklin. 

“It’s been very important to Mayor Miller and his administration to regularly meet with religious leadership to discuss various issues and potential solutions and resources,” said Dr. Henry Ficklin, Executive Director of Community Affairs. “This is a great opportunity to have them in the room asking questions and learning more about what each congregation is doing or can be doing to improve our community.”  

Mayor Miller gave the clergy an opportunity for them to ask questions and an update on the things happening in the County, which included telling them about Macon-Bibb’s recent Visionary City Award for Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) and the 43% drop in the homicide rate in the last year. 

“This happened because we did it together,” said Mayor Miller. “We can continue to make a difference if we work together.”

 The Council typically meets every other month to give local faith leaders an opportunity to discuss issues facing their congregants and the community at large. They also have the chance to talk with other ministers and organizations aimed at promoting peace and justice in our community.