|
News
Charles Wesley Tercentennial Pilgrimage
 (October 20, 2006, GBOD) -- Methodists and other Christians around the world will mark the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley’s birth in 2007.
Duke Divinity School and the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church are offering a ten-day pilgrimage in England, July 31-August 10, 2007, to celebrate this important event and immerse participants in the legacy of this important Methodist founder.
Dr. Paul W. Chilcote (Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Wesleyan Studies at Duke Divinity School and President of The Charles Wesley Society), Dr. Steve Manskar (Director of Accountable Discipleship at GBOD), and Dr. Tim Macquiban (Principal of Sarum College in Salisbury, England) will provide leadership for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Pilgrimage will acquaint participants with the historical background and religious heritage of the Methodist movement and the life and witness of Charles Wesley.
Participants will visit sites associated with this great hymn writer — Epworth, his place of birth; Oxford, where he studied and taught, and where he founded the so-called “Holy Club”; Bristol, where he helped to form the first Methodist Societies and began to raise his family; and London, where Charles Wesley and his family spent the final years of his life, overseeing the expanding Methodist movement with his brother, John.
The pilgrimage includes Salisbury and a stay at Sarum College, in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral; West Bromwich near Birmingham, Frances Asbury’s training-ground; Glastonbury and Wells, with their connections to the Arthurian legends; Gloucester, associated with the Wesleys’ friend and colleague, George Whitefield; and important sites in London, such as St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey. Opportunities to experience the England that Charles Wesley knew and loved will abound: the rolling countryside of the Cotswold Hills near Oxford, the fenland around Epworth, the charm of small English villages, and the elegance of the ancient city of Bath.
Participants in this ten-day adventure will also have the opportunity to:
- Immerse themselves in the ministry, theology, and spirituality of Charles Wesley through daily prayer and worship, visiting historic sites, plenary and small-group teaching moments
- Understand the essential role of Charles Wesley’s hymns in Christian formation in the Wesleyan heritage
- Have fun!
- Learn and pray where Charles Wesley prayed and served
- Reflect, pray, and build relationships in small groups
- Be equipped to share and articulate what they learn
- Make a connection between the Wesleyan/Methodist heritage and the life and ministry of their home congregations
The Itinerary
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 – Arrival
PM: Arrive at Ammerdown Centre for lunch around 1:00 p.m.
Tour of facilities and settling in
Evening: Introductory learning time with Paul Chilcote
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 – Glastonbury & Wells
AM : Background and overview of Charles Wesley's life and ministry
PM : Excursion to Glastonbury and Evensong at Wells Cathedral
Evening: Return to Ammerdown
Thursday, August 2, 2007 - Epworth
AM: Travel by coach to Lincolnshire (West Bromwich en route)
PM: Visit Epworth parish church & churchyard, Market Cross, the Old Rectory, & Wesley Memorial Chapel
Evening: Supper at Bawtry Hall
Friday, August 3, 2007 - Oxford
AM: Travel by coach to Oxford
PM: Visit Christ Church College & Chapel, St. Mary's Church, & free time
Evening: Return to Ammerdown
Saturday, August 4, 2007 - Gloucester & the Cotswolds
AM: Visit Gloucester sites
PM: Explore the Cotswolds
Evening: Return to Ammerdown
Sunday, August 5, 2007 - Bath
Worship, Rest, & Recreation
Monday, August 6, 2007 - Bristol
AM & PM: Visit Charles Wesley House & Centre, The New Room, & Bristol Cathedral
Evening: Supper at Sarum College, Salisbury
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - London
AM & PM: Visit Marylebone, Wesley Chapel & Home at City Road, Tour of Wesley sites,
St. Paul's Cathedral, etc.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - Salisbury
AM & PM (Free Day): Visit Stonehenge, explore Salisbury & Wiltshire countryside
Thursday, August 9, 2007 - Salisbury
AM & PM: Closing lectures, evaluation, worship
Friday, August 10, 2007 - Departure
AM : Breakfast & departures
.
For more information and to register, please go to www.gbod.org/charleswesley300; or call Becky Caudill at 877-899-2780, ext. 7059, e-mail at bcaudill@gbod.org
This article was written by by Jeanette Pinkston, Media Relations Director for the General Board of Discipleship.
|
