Sounds of Hope

These are the words of John Wesley.  The full quote from his journal of May 24, 1738 is: In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans.  About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone   for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away   my   sins, even   mine, and saved   me   from the law of sin and death.    I heard this phrase, my heart strangely warmed , numerous times this weekend at the Wesleyan Theological Society annual meeting on the Trevecca Nazarene University campus in Nashville TN.  It is an oft repeated phrase in Wesleyan circles.  Thousands, if not millions of words, have been written about Wesley’s Aldersgate experience. My heart was strangely warmed...

I am continuing to learn what it means to be a Methodist.  I have become at home with the Methodist. It is the group that I have chosen to fellowship in community with – it is where my spiritual journey has taken me.  Last night, I went to my first “Charge Conference.” For those of you, like me, who have no idea what that is, it is sort of like their “annual business meeting.”  I’ve been to a whole lot of business meetings. I’ve served as a trustee.  I’ve served in some unofficial capacity of reminding the pastor to get ready for the annual business meeting.  I’ve typed the reports and compiled them.  I’ve taken minutes and participated in more business meetings than I care to remember. I’ve seen a lot of dispute at business meetings in church basements.  Questions, concerns, legitimate or not… on and on they went for hours.  Pontificating members with grandiose ideas in conflict with pompous members who had better ideas marred the meetings....

It was a beautiful Tennessee night last night.  The air was cool.  The trees were luscious with new life.  Flowers were blooming.  As I walked into the church last night, I noticed the small dogwood near the cross in front of the church.  The cross was draped with royal purple.  Encompassed in a circular planting, the dogwood stood behind it. I didn’t know what to expect as I turned the gold handle of the glass door to the church.  It had been a struggle to decide to go to church last night.  The little Methodist church that I have been attending was having their Maundy Thursday service.  I had never been to a Maundy Thursday service.  I knew they were going to wash feet and have Eucharist.  I knew the foot washing was optional.  I knew I would opt out. I had an internal struggle all day.  I am uncomfortable when I attend this church.  It isn’t the formality of the service.  It’s that I feel so out of place....