The Church of England and The Methodist Church
in the Parish of Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden
in the Parish of Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden
Flower Festival for Tricentenary of John Wesley
Flower Festival to celebrate the tricentenary of John Wesley, founder of Methodism
St. Nicholas Anglican Methodist Church in Sturry, Canterbury.
These photos give a visual impression of the flower festival but cannot capture the wonderful atmosphere that was created within the church. Also included on this page are details about the life of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church.
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In addition to the floral displays, there were refreshments, and a laptop was available with an interactive CD of John Wesley's life. |
John's mother Susanna had a very strict regime for all her children [she had nineteen children but only nine survived infancy]. They did not play with Epworth children, nor did they go to school. On their fifth birthday lessons began - for six hours a day. She said, "I insist upon conquering the will of the children betimes because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education." Each child received intensive spiritual teaching weekly. For John this took place on Thursday evenings and Thursdays remained of special significance to him throughout his life.
At the age of ten John became a boarder at Charterhouse School in London. Here the routine was again very strict. He had to get up at 5 o'clock. He started each day by running around the school garden three times before breakfast.
When he was seventeen John went to Oxford [1720]. It was in 1729 that he joined his brother's small group of students who met together to study the Bible and pray. Other students found this behaviour very strange and they were given various nicknames such as "Bible moths", the "Holy Club" and "METHODISTS". Not only did they pray but they put aside money to help the poor by buying food, clothing and medicines for the needy.
Oxford
When he was seventeen John went to Oxford [1720]. It was in 1729 that he joined his brother's small group of students who met together to study the Bible and pray. Other students found this behaviour very strange and they were given various nicknames such as "Bible moths", the "Holy Club" and "METHODISTS". Not only did they pray but they put aside money to help the poor by buying food, clothing and medicines for the needy.
Bristol
The New Room Bristol, showing the preacher's stable with a statue of John Wesley on horseback In 1739 Wesley visited Bristol and spent two months preaching and organizing. Before he left he undertook the building of a school and the foundations of a chapel with accommodation for himself and his fellow preachers and stabling for their horses.
Bristol became Wesley's headquarters in the West of England.
The 'New Room' was largely rebuilt a few years later but still remains the 'oldest Methodist church in the World.'
The Aldergate Experience
The Aldergate Experience.
Preaching
Wesley had lots of advice to give to preachers
- Endeavour to speak in public as you do in common conversation
- Labour to avoid the odious custom of coughing and spitting while you are speaking
- To drawl is worse than to hurry
- Never clap your hands or thump the pulpit
- Your hands are not to be in perpetual motion: this the ancients call the babbling of the hands
- The mouth must never be turned awry; neither must you bite or lick your lips, or shrug your shoulders, or lean on your elbow; all of which give offence to the spectators.
In addition Wesley urged his preachers to remain single.
Journeys Abroad
"I look upon the whole world as my parish" 
John hoped to be a missionary to the Indians but they found the strict routine difficult so the venture was not a success. He returned to England in 1737 and on the journey home he wrote in his journal: "I went to America to convert the Indians! But, oh! Who will convert me? Who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief? I have a fair summer religion."
John never returned to America but his influence was to be vital in the establishment of American Methodism.
John Wesley's first visit to Ireland was in 1747, during his life he crossed the Irish Sea fifty times.
On his 80th birthday John Wesley was in Holland. He wrote, "I have lived this day fourscore years; and by the mercy of God, my eyes are not waxed dim. And what little strength of body or mind I had thirty years since, just the same I have now. God grant I may never live to be useless!"
Opposition to Methodism
From 1740 until 1760 meetings were frequently disrupted by mobs, often encouraged by magistrates and clergy.
In 1741 stones were thrown at Wesley in Marylebone Fields.
At Hoxton an ox was driven into his congregation
In 1743 in Staffordshire the mob attacked the homes of Methodists breaking first their windows then their furniture.
In Cornwall a meeting-house was pulled down.
In the long history of harassment and assault Wesley never showed fear. He calmly argued with those who opposed him, but also showed compassion and often converted his persecutors. Wesley had no intention of starting a new church, but many clergy resented the fact that Wesley preached in their parishes. Perhaps their strong message and their enthusiasm made Methodists feared and distrusted.
The death of Rev. John Wesley March 2nd 1791
John continued to work almost to the very end of his life [he was 87]. He preached his last sermon on February 23rd 1791 and the next day wrote a letter to William Wilberforce.
John's last hours were serene and peaceful. Towards the end he said in a clear voice, "The best of all is - God is with us."
He repeated this message with special emphasis and it has become a rallying cry for Methodism.
His coffin was placed in the City Road Chapel and 10,000 people filed past to show their respect.
John had stated that his funeral should be conducted with a minimum of display - it took place before dawn and with very little notice, but it was attended by a very large crowd.