An open table: How United Methodists understand communion
Christians mark World Communion Sunday on October 4 in 2015. This new resource looks at what the church teaches about the Lord's Supper.
Check out the resource
What's in a name?
Holy Club. Bible Moths. Methodists. These are just a few of the things people called Charles and John Wesley and those gathered around them before anyone called their group a movement, let alone a church.
Read the full storyUsed with permission from the Methodist Collection of Drew University
An image of the Wesleys' "Holy Club" meeting at Oxford, based on a 19th century lithograph.
Why the Wesleys, and others, came to be called Methodists
A UMC.org feature by Andrew J. Schleicher*
Holy Club. Bible Moths. Methodists.
These are just a few of the names people called Charles and John Wesley and those gathered around them before anyone called their group a movement, let alone a church. Charles and John Wesley are considered founders of the Methodist movement that led to what is now The United Methodist Church.
It all began around 1728 with a few men at Oxford University, where Charles was finishing his studies. Charles Wesley had not always been very good at focusing on his studies or his faith. His first year at school was full of diversions like playing cards and enjoying music, theater and dancing. Nevertheless, by his final year, he was ready to devote himself to a more focused method of engaging study and faith.
Charles knew he could not do this on his own. He gathered with others in a small group, a practice common at Oxford in those days.
The Holy Club started here at Christ Church College, Oxford, England. Image by Photochrom Print Collection (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
Originally, the group discussed classical literature, but they eventually moved onto spiritual materials. According to Dale Patterson of the United Methodist Archives and Historyagency, they would read classical literature during the week but on weekends, especially Sundays, read works about divinity or theology as we call it today.
Even with these conversations, Charles continued to feel like he was struggling. He reached out to his brother John for assistance.
"There is no one person I would so willingly have to be the instrument of good to me as you," Charles wrote in a letterto John. "It is owing, in great measure, to somebody's prayers (my mother's most likely) that I am come to think as I do; for I cannot tell myself how or why I awoke out of my lethargy, only that it was not long after you went away."
John had been away for a time helping at his father's parish since he had already graduated and was ordained in the Church of England. When he returned to Oxford, where he was also a fellow, he soon assumed leadership of the group and brought to it his organization skills and some initial instruction.
Others started noticing the group. Some called them "Sacramentarians," that is they sought the sacrament of communion frequently. The Wesleys thought it good to have communion at least weekly, though the common thought was monthly was satisfactory.
This was one of the first items to grow out of their meetings. They had to search out communion since no single Protestant congregation offered it every week.
Others called the group "Enthusiasts." Were they religious fanatics of some sort?
“That was an insulting term,” says Patterson. “People claiming to be spirit-filled [or enthused] were considered suspicious.” The term pointed back to “the wild-eyed people of a century ago,” during the English civil war.
Despite that, John Wesley considered himself a “reasonable enthusiast,” says Patterson.
"Supererogation-men," was another term applied to this small, but growing, group. Supererogationrefers to their desire to go beyond what is typically required by most religious in hopes of winning divine approval.
It was common for the Wesleys and their companions to engage regularly in prayer, fasting (twice a week), giving alms and visiting those in prison. Many of these activities were not even the Wesleys’ ideas, though John would check in with the local bishop to ensure there was no problem with their activity.
"These guys are accused of doing too much good," says Ted A. Campbell, professor of Church History at Perkins School of Theology. The supererogation-men nickname was also, Campbell continues, "a veiled accusation of Catholicism." There remained tension in those days between Protestant and Catholic supporters, and the practice of Catholicism was restricted.
The group the Wesleys were a part of engaged in regular Bible study and were then called "Bible-moths." Did they eat their Bibles as a moth may eat their clothes?
They were viewed as "Bible-bigots," because they reproved others who they thought did not live up to scriptural standards. "A lot of people thought of them as sourpusses," Campbell says.
By the time they were called "The Holy Club," there were actually at least four small groups connected with the growing movement.
"These were all names foisted upon him," Campbell says, "but John Wesley had the habit of taking them onto himself."
It was “Methodist” that eventually stuck. While John Wesley initially did not like the name, he eventually made it his own.
Why did it stick? "It was something people could see," Campbell says.
The initial Holy Club dissipated when the Wesleys and two others went on a mission trip to Georgia. However, many, if not most, of the evolving group went onto ministry.
The Wesleys and their colleagues stuck to their methods upon their return to England and the Methodist movement would spread throughout Great Britain and into the Americas and now the world.
Today, United Methodists pledge in their membership vows to give of their “prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.” Thus, United Methodists continue the active life the Wesleys and their colleagues brought forward.
Our methods may have evolved over the years, but we still seek to follow John and Charles Wesley's desire to live a more holy life.
*Andrew J. Schleicher works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. Contact him ataschleicher@umcom.org or 615-742-5145.
Does The United Methodist Church have
a position about Halloween?
The October 31st holiday can be controversial for some. This link can answer questions about whether the church is okay with celebrating the day.
See the answerPhoto by Roland zh / WikiMedia Commons
Does The United Methodist Church have a position about Halloween?
The United Methodist Church does not have an official statement or position regarding Halloween. Church members are free to make their own decisions about participating in Halloween activities.
Many local churches offer safe alternatives to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. Others turn the focus to more on giving than receiving. Collecting for UNICEF or giving Fair Trade chocolateare ideas for using the occasion to "treat" or give to others.
Learn more
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF: Eradicate Poverty and Promote Global Health (video)
Equal Exchange: Fair Trade Your Halloween
Power of Pumpkins (video)
Fair Trade Halloween (video)
Haunted? Even Wesleys heard 'bumps in the night'
Ghost stories can be popular at this time of year. Some United Methodist churches, cemeteries and homes reportedly have things that go bump in the dark (or daylight).
Read if you dareOriginal photo by Roberto A. Sanchez, iStockphoto.com (adapted for UMC.org)
Just in time for Halloween, we share some ghost stories from United Methodist churches.PreviousNext
Haunted? Even Wesleys heard ‘bumps in the night’ by Kathy L. Gilbert
Churches are havens of safety, places of welcome and respite, a heavenly pathway to God - but that doesn't mean they can't have their own tales of unexplained happenings.
Some United Methodist churches, cemeteries and at least one home of a well-known Methodist reportedly have things that go bump in the dark (or daylight) - when no living soul is around. The most famous Methodist of all - John Wesley - was believed to have had a ghost in his childhood home that his family named "Old Jeffrey."
"Old Jeffrey" plagued the Epworth Rectory with mysterious loud noises and knockings and made his first "appearance" Dec. 2, 1716. Susanna Wesley was quoted as saying, "there was such a noise in the room over our heads, as if several people were walking, then running up and down stairs that we thought the children would be frightened." As she and her husband searched the house in vain for the culprit, Old Jeffrey continued "rattling and thundering in every room, and even blowing an invisible horn at deafening decibels."
Old Jeffrey disappeared in January 1717 just as suddenly as he had appeared.
Spooky sightings
WHAT DO UNITED METHODISTS BELIEVE ABOUT HALLOWEEN?
The United Methodist Church does not have an official statement or position regarding Halloween.
Church members are free to make their own decisions about their participation in Halloween activities. Local churches can decide if they wish to offer traditional or alternative activities for children at Halloween. This article, Kids can lead the way: trick or treat for UNICEF offers suggestions for celebrating in ways that are not only safe, but also focus more on giving than receiving. For an eco-friendly celebration, consider giving Fair Trade chocolate or Reverse Trick-or-Treating to help provide small cocoa farmers a fair living wage and an opportunity to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Many congregations offer "trunk or treat" in which they invite church members to decorate their cars, park in the church parking lot and distribute treats from their car trunks.
United Methodist News Service posed a question on Facebook, asking if anyone else had unexplained spooky church sightings to report.
Nancy Jill Hale wrote: "Several years ago, a friend and I were practicing a duet on the piano in the sanctuary one evening when it was dark. While we were playing, we both stopped at the exact same moment, looked across the room, and said, 'Did you see that?' Of course, nothing was there, but we both swore we saw the shadow of someone walking down the aisle. Needless to say, we quickly closed up the piano and left the building!"
Another responder, Jeff Bobin, said,"One time, after midnight, I was in my church office when I heard what sounded like banging in the basement. When I went downstairs, I couldn't find anyone, and then I heard footsteps on the floor above me in the hall. I never did find anyone in the building, and the only door that someone could go out had a bell that rang when you opened the door."
Little girls and wailing banshees
Searching the Internet turned up some other United Methodist related ghost stories like the man in a black business suit who glides up and down the aisles inFirst United Methodist Church, Evanston, Ill.
Visitors have reported “"Wailing banshees” occupy the now-abandoned Oakey Streak Methodist Church in Red Level, Ala. Visitors have reported hearing the laughter of a small boy and a little girl who skips down the dirt driveway leading to the church.
A former poastor at Spencer United Methodist Church in Ohio said his church's location might explain some of the strange things that have been reported at the church, including water fountain coming on and handles turning. The church is located next to a famous and well-documented haunted cemetery. People report seeing one or two lanterns floating free in the air as if held by invisible hands.
Bringing in the ghosts
And then there's Cass Community United Methodist Church in downtown Detroit that imports ghosts and goblins every year at Halloween.
Members of the 129-year-old church use classrooms and their basement to construct a spooky maze. Tickets are $10 and mostly bought by college students from nearby schools. The Rev. Faith Fowler, who opens the house each weekend night leading up to Halloween by whacking a heavy chain against the walls, said the church uses the money for their extensive neighborhood ministries.
The fundraiser fits the neighborhood, one of the most dangerous urban areas in the United States, Fowler said.
Michael Chance, one of the UMNS Facebook responders, has an answer to all the ghost stories in churches: "Noises of other unexplained goings on? Just the saints of the church watching over things."
*Gilbert is a multimedia reporter at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
A version of this story was published on Oct. 26, 2012.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org
Looking forward:
Easy ways to share gratitude this Thanksgiving
Preparation for and celebration of the U.S. holiday can help us grow an attitude of gratitude that will carry over into the rest of the year.Learn more.
What makes a meaning-full gift? It's care, not cost
Help those planning for Christmas think of gifts of meaning and not money. Show gratitude for the difference someone has made in your life, or to make a difference in the life of another. Learn more.
Find more Advent resources at www.umc.org/advent.
You are encouraged to use these links for personal reflection and to share them with others for inspiration.
UMC.org is your one-stop site for all things United Methodist.
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