25 May Aldersgate Day

Dear Westwood Church family,

Today’s a big day in the Methodist Church calendar: Aldersgate Day. It was on May 24, 1738 that John Wesley, an Anglican Priest in England, attended a gathering of Moravians in Aldersgate, London, England. As they were reading from Martin Luther’s preface to the book of Romans, he experienced his “heart strangely warmed.” He described it in his journal:

“…while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

In our Wesleyan tradition, grace is foundational to our way of being. Assurance of salvation gives us confidence that we already belong. From this trust in our belonging and belovedness, we are turned outward toward our neighbors and strangers, with compassion and love.

One of the reasons I keep going to worship is to remember this grace; though I believe in grace, I certainly benefit from continuing reminders that our beginning point is God’s deep love for us, and God’s grace that gives all the forgiveness we could need. It’s easy to lose hold of this confidence, when I fail, or when other voices suggest that I’m not enough, for whatever reason.

I also love that, though this is a peculiarly Methodist holiday, its origins depend on a broader Christian movement. At this moment of deep conversion to trust in divine grace, John Wesley was a priest in the Church of England, meeting with Moravians, reading from Luther. This is, for me, a reminder that we have gifts to receive from other traditions; we are just one part in a broader movement of those who seek to follow Christ.

This Aldersgate Day, I encourage you to take a moment to sit with John Wesley’s words. What does it mean, for you, to “trust in Christ,” and to experience assurance in your salvation? What difference does it make for you, and for how you will treat every person you see today?
_______

This Sunday, we are celebrating Confirmation in both of our worship gatherings; this year, a cohort of 11 incredible young people is a part of our Confirmation class. They’ve met for retreats, shared conversation with mentors, and participated in the life of our congregation. I look forward to celebrating them, and their part in our church. I hope you can be there, too.

grace and peace,
Pastor Molly