May 2010 - May Brings Special Days for United Methodists
May is a month of celebration in our Church and our nation. Besides Mother's Day and Memorial Day, Christians observe Ascension Day (May 13) and Pentecost Sunday. United Methodists have two other special days to celebrate: Aldersgate Day (May 24) and Peace with Justice Sunday (May 30).
Aldersgate Day marks an event in the life of John Wesley when, during a Bible study in 1738, the Holy Spirit moved with such clarity that he would later write, "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation."
Peace with Justice Sunday was established by the 1988 General Conference to support ministries that promote peace and justice at home and around the globe. Half of the offerings received here remain in Western Pennsylvania. (Learn more at www.umcgiving.org.)
Seeking peace with justice is rooted in our Wesleyan heritage. Early Methodists intentionally kept faith and works in balance with a "both/and" mentality: piety and charity, personal and social holiness, grace and discipline, being and doing, form and power.
Today we're invited to replicate this creative "both/and" Wesleyan spirit. Just as 18th Century England needed the Methodist movement, our congregations and communities need relevant faith today. We need opportunities and relationships that love us into the presence of God. We need life- changing grace. We need places to live out our faith boldly and generously, making a difference for others. We need warmed hearts and willing hands to work for what is fair and just. We need the inner peace of a Savior (conversion) and the innovative expressions of living like the Prince of Peace (sanctification).
Where is the Holy Spirit calling you into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ? How is God warming your heart? Where is the Spirit of gentleness stirring you from placidness?
Wesley's fear was not that Methodists would cease to exist, but that we would exist as a dead sect with the form, but not the power, of religion. Did Wesley start out to change his world or revive the Church of England?
Regardless of intentions, through him God stirred deep faith and improved the health and quality of life of thousands of people.
How? One by one in coal mines and class meetings. Why? Because the spirit was moving and Wesley and his followers responded.
That Spirit is moving now. How will you respond?
By Lisa Grant, Director of Connectional Ministries