18 January 2007
Celebrating Methodist heritage - all are invited to apply for Heritage Open Days scheme
In order to help celebrate the Methodist anniversaries in 2007,
the Civic Trust has offered 300 places to The Methodist Church as
part of their annual Heritage Open Days weekend (Thursday 6th to
Sunday 9th September 2007). This means that up to 300 churches,
chapels or sites of Methodist interest, have an opportunity to open
their doors to the general public for tours, special services,
drama, music, exhibitions and a whole range of events for young and
old, all aimed at highlighting their rich heritage, Christian
story, mission and work in local communities across the
Connexion.
'This is a one-off opportunity and we want as many Methodist
churches or sites to take part as possible,' says Revd David
Gamble, Co-ordinating Secretary for Legal and Constitutional
Practice. 'Because of the 2007 anniversaries the Civic Trust has
offered us about 10% of the places for this year's Heritage Open
Days, but they made it clear that it is only for this year. We
should make the most of this: in a year when Methodists have so
much to commemorate, let's celebrate as much of our heritage as
possible.'
As well as celebrating the various anniversaries - including the
tercentenary of the birth of Charles Wesley and the bicentenary of
the first camp meeting of Primitive Methodism at Mow Cop in
Staffordshire - 2007 will also see the bicentenary of the abolition
of the slave trade, something that had the on-going support of John
and Charles Wesley and other early Methodists.
Each of the anniversaries lends itself to dramatic and other
interpretation to both Methodists and members of the general
public, allowing churches not only to reflect on their own heritage
but also the part they currently play in their community.
'A wide range of events for Heritage Open Days has already been
planned, including open days, tours, music and drama as well as
items for children and young people' says David Gamble. 'We are
anxious for others to take part and it is not only an opportunity
for older churches to reflect on their past but also for modern
contemporary buildings and sites to focus on their spirituality in
event form. It's a great opportunity for us to tell our story to
people who don't generally hear it.'
Further details of Methodist Anniversaries and application forms to
take part in Heritage Open Days can be obtained from: Adam Dyjasek,
Methodist Church House 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR Tel. 0207
467 5125. Website: www.methodistanniversaries2007.org.uk