Following in Wesley’s Footsteps

On Monday 21 July, a group of Italian young people, aged 17–20, set foot in Britain. They had travelled from Centro Ecumene Church in Italy, part of the Italian Methodist Church (OPCEMI) and a close partner of the Global Relationships team at the Methodist Church in Britain. Donning their trainers and rucksacks, they were ready to join with their British peers from the Square Methodist Church, Dunstable, on a journey that would take them from Dunstable on to Oxford, Bristol and London. Why? To follow in Wesley's footsteps, together.

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Their pilgrimage into the heart of British Methodism began in Oxford, where the Wesley brothers studied at Christ Church College and from where John Wesley began his ministry. The young pilgrims were led on a walking tour by the Revd Dr Tim Maquiban, who shared fascinating insights about Methodism as well as broader topics of Protestantism and religious dissent. For Anosike, from Dunstable, it was ‘the best bit of the week [...], seeing the roots of the Wesleyan movement and the Holy Club. It brought the Methodist story to life’. The group learnt about the harsh conditions faced by the prisoners at Oxford Castle and left there inspired by John Wesley’s commitment to preaching light and hope amidst such suffering.

From here the group journeyed to Bristol, delving deeper into the story of Methodism and the lives of the brothers who penned it. Amazed by Methodism’s oldest purpose-built chapel, New Room, the group learnt about its vital role in the community, as well as its practical solutions such as benches made from repurposed ship timbers and lantern windows designed to reduce the amount of window tax having to be paid. Immersing themselves into the life and culture of the time, some posed in 18th century dress and the group were challenged to really engage Wesleyan thought by creating social media posts to reimagine the brothers in the 21st century. In the reflective words of trip organiser, Naomi, from OPCEMI, ‘the New Room is not just a historic building – it is a story in stone and light: a clever window, a faith committed to justice, a quiet refuge adorned with strokes of social strategy’.

The group then travelled to London where they visited Wesley’s Chapel and walked along Aldersgate Street, standing on the very spot where John Wesley delivered the famed words: ‘I felt my heart strangely warmed’. Belle, from Dunstable, recalled that ‘being able to look around different museums and learning a lot more about John and Charles Wesley, has opened a side of Methodism that I didn’t know I needed. The passion these men had is admirable and divine’. On their final day, the young pilgrims took a tube ride to the home of the Connexional team of the Methodist Church in Britain: Methodist Church House. The Global Relationships team organised for the group to hear from various Connexional colleagues and their respective work. Interspersing short presentations with interactive activities saw the group learn about the World Mission Fund, 3Generate, New Places for New People, and the Methodist Way of Life with ‘Ministries Bingo’ and ‘Two Truths and a Lie’ thrown in for some competitive fun and prize-winning.

To conclude their progress, the pilgrims were welcomed to Hinde Street Methodist Church where the Revd Peter Cornick led a presentation about the Church’s history, including its connections to Charles Wesley and his family who were once Class group members there. The young people were keen to learn about the Church’s contemporary mission too, including ministries supporting those with addiction and caring for the homeless. Previous Methodist Church mission partner, the Revd Richard Grocott, who spent five years serving with OPCEMI, then shared his personal story of ministry in Italy. Leaving the church, the pilgrims walked to see the building where Charles Wesley once lived with his family, which now functions as a pub, and paused for a photo by ‘Wesley Street’. Then it was a short walk to Charles Wesley’s memorial which stands atop the Old St Marylebone Anglican Church site under which lie his remains.

The young pilgrims were surprised at how quickly they walked the path of friendship, paved by their shared Methodist heritage, faith and fellowship. Martin, from OPCEMI, concluded that ‘the best part of the week was discovering the history and origins of the Methodist Church by retracing the lives of the Wesley brothers. And doing so surrounded by friends made the experience unique’. His fellow OPCEMI pilgrim, Massimo, explained that ‘the most special moment was when we ate together and shared a moment of unity and spirituality, in my opinion these moments linked us because we joked and laughed together. At these times there was also time for prayer which made us feel an even stronger sense of belonging to the Methodist Church’. Indeed, at the heart of this shared pilgrimage were the relationships formed within and around the historical sites which were continued within and around the dinner tables, or on the buses or at the tube stations.

So, after stepping into the inspiring lives and ministries of the Wesley brothers, these young people end their pilgrimage understanding more about the radical roots of their faith, ready to further their spiritual journeys, wherever in the world these might take them.

Global Relationships seeks to facilitate enriching relationships between the Methodist Church in Britain and Partner Churches throughout the world, such as those created and strengthened during this pilgrimage. One of the ways that we do this is through our Encounter Together programme. This programme provides opportunities for different groups within the Methodist Church in Britain to join with Methodists and communities across the world – sharing in worship, learning, and mission, as they travel together.

This Encounter Together programme was supported by the World Mission Fund. To support such programmes and our other global work, donate here: Give to the World Mission Fund - The Methodist Church