Episcopalians and United Methodists mark Wesley Feast Day with prayer for deeper unity

(L) John Wesley --- (R) Charles Wesley

The Episcopal Church observes the Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley on March 3 by honoring the brothers as influential priests in the Church of England and as founders of the Methodist Movement within the Anglican tradition. This year all United Methodists and Episcopalians are invited to join each other in marking this special day with prayer for each other and for our shared relationship. While many in both communions work toward a day when we can share in a full communion relationship, we offer this prayer:

Loving God, you inspired your servants Charles and John Wesley to sing and speak boldly the promises of our shared faith. You warmed their hearts and filled them with a passion to care for others and to introduce them to you. You endowed them with eloquence, determination, and courage. 
 
Grant those same characteristics to us as well. On this day, we ask you to move us closer to you and closer to each other, even as we speak and sing your truth to a hurting society. May the marking of this day be a means of grace. Kindle within us such fervor that we might be faithful witnesses to your world-changing grace.  Open our minds and hearts to recognize you in each other and in the widow, orphan, and foreigner. Fill our hearts with the courage we need to bring both love and justice into our communities. 

Finally, as we pray for the coming of your kingdom, we seek your guidance for the relationship between The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church. We pray for a more visible expression of the bond we share. Make us to be your light and your witness to those who have not known Christ. Make us one, for the sake of the Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
 
Amen.

Today in Methodist History

Grave of John Wesley

On this, the 235th anniversary of the death of John Wesley comes a first-hand account from Wesley's nurse, Eliza Ritchie.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for March 8

The Widows Mite (1890) - William T. B. Fletcher

We are continuing our Lenten journey next week as we experience the Third Sunday in Lent with a focus on Tuesday in Holy Week. Our lessons will come from Mark  12:28-34 and Mark 12:41-44.

United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the new Middle East war

For Immediate Release                                                                        

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­­— We know that our hearts are heavy as we witness the mounting loss of life from the ongoing military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, and from retaliatory strikes by Iran. Families are grieving the loss of loved ones, and entire communities are shaken by the weight of uncertainty, fear, and profound sorrow. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire of a widening conflict they did not choose.

Scripture reminds us that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). As bishops of The United Methodist Church, we hold fast to this promise as we pray for all who have been killed, all who are injured, and all who now carry trauma and fear in the wake of this violence. We stand resolute in remembering the uncompromising call of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This calling is a summons to act with courage and with a steadfast commitment to honoring the dignity and life of every human being.

We urge leaders on every side to turn from the escalation of violence and seek paths toward justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace. We implore them to place the protection of innocent lives at the center of every decision. 

As followers of Christ, let us be steadfast in prayer for those whose lives were taken that they may rest in God’s eternal peace. Let us pray for the wounded that healing and comfort may surround them. Let us pray for families and communities in mourning that they may find strength for the days ahead. And let us pray for leaders and nations that they may choose the path of peace over the path of destruction.

May God’s Spirit move among us and within us, guiding our hearts toward justice, compassion, and the hard, holy work of peacemaking. May we be instruments of Christ’s peace in a world yearning for healing.

In Christ’s mercy,


Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

March begins at Glenville UMC

Joys:

+Thankful that Cheryl R. and Pat R. are in worship today.

+Praising God for the wonderful celebration reception for Rodger and Judy L. last week – celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

+Roy and Nancy B. thank God for son Rory’s safe and fun family fishing trip at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, where the ice was 47 ½ inches thick; and they caught 76 walleye fish.

+Roy B. thanks God for the gift of a variety of weather experiences. Nearby Preston, Minnesota, got 10” of snow.

+Bob S. thanks God for the gift of 10 VA homes in Minnesota. One of them is in Preston.

+Thanking God for the beautiful warm weather we experienced last week (before winter weather returned this weekend).

+Bob S. told joke (since Sid was not there today).

+Thankful to God for carbonated holiness in the form of laughter in church.

+Bob S. thanks God for the joy of attending a “leap-year” baby’s birthday party this afternoon and for the joy of a 14-member family dinner tonight.

+Church family thanks God for Shelley G. who puts “love in action” by creating beautiful handmade prayer shawls which are blessed to be blessings to their recipients.

Concerns:

+Praying that God will grant Craig R. with the comfort and strength he needs during this time of health challenges and that God grants Pat R. the strength she needs to provide the support that Craig needs.

+Praying for Sid T.’s travelling mercies

+Praying for Pastor Charles’ cousin Joe P. who is in Dubai, a professional firefighter who is battling fires around the airport, after missile strikes.

+Praying for Judy C., Donna D., and Karnella S. who are dealing with medical challenges.

+Praying for family and friends of Bev Haugen who died last Friday. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea.

+Prayers continue for Korla S.’ cousin Jessica who recently had a new heart and lung transplanted. A prayer shawl was blessed today for her.

+Prayers for all who are impacted directly and indirectly due to conflict around the world.

Handbook of The United Methodist Church

Discover the Handbook of The United Methodist Church—a digital, print-ready resource designed to help you understand who we are, how we are connected, and how we live out our shared mission together. 

Updated for the current quadrennium, this handbook offers clear explanations, helpful visuals, and trusted information for learning, teaching, and leading in The United Methodist Church. UMC Handbook is also print-ready. The downloadable PDF is formatted for local printing, whether for personal use, small groups, new member classes, or leadership training. You can also find a conversation guide for new church members explaining what means to be a United Methodist.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

One of early Methodism’s most well-regarded early preachers, Mary Bosanquet, kept a journal in which she recounted her spiritual journey. Here she speaks of an experience of grace during the sacrament of Holy Communion:

Towards the end of the following winter, there was a confirmation at Saint Paul’s; and my father desired I should be confirmed. This was a very rousing ordinance to me; for some time before, I had felt how unworthy I was of it: how unfit thus solemnly to devote myself to God, my renewing that covenant I had so often broken I read the order of confirmation, with the ministration of baptism, over and over, and besought my God to give me power to keep the charge of the Lord faithfully. For some months after, every time I approached the Lord’s table, I had a very peculiar sense of his presence, and sometimes I felt as if the Lord Jesus did from his own hand give me the sacred emblems of his body and blood.

~ Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (The Life of Mrs. Mary Fletcher, p.24)