The people called Methodist have a long history of concern for social justice. Our founder, John Wesley, took strong and forthright positions on slavery, poverty, health care, and many other issues that impacted basic human right. As the church grew and matured, the Methodists developed Social Principles that declared our position on the major social issues of the day. This summer, as we struggle with the uncertainty of our future within our denomination, we will remind ourselves of the commitment to justice that is at the heart of our Methodist understanding of love and grace. As children of John Wesley, whose heart was strangely warmed (set on fire) by the Spirit, let us nurture the flame with us—the fire of love, of grace, of justice.
July 7—Children of Wesley’s Heart: Our Call to Social Justice (1 Corinthians 13 & Matthew 22:34-40)
July 14—Stewards of the Natural World (Genesis 1:26-30 & Psalm 8)
July 21—Nurturing Community (Acts 2:37-47 & Psalm 100)
July 28—Social Community (Isaiah 40:1-5 & Matthew 11:2-6)
August 4—Economic Community (Amos 8:4-8 & Psalm 15)
August 11—Political Community (Deuteronomy 10:12-21 & Matthew 22:15-22)
August 18—World Community (Lamentations 3:23-33 & Acts 17:22-28a)
August 25—Living From the Heart (Isaiah 58:6-10 & Matthew 23:1-7, 23-24)
September 1—Celtic Spirituality: Worshiping in the Celtic Tradition. Led by Rev. Debbie Allen, who will be visiting the Abbey at Iona in Scotland this summer. She will share with us her experience as we come together in worship.