Wesley United Methodist Church--Sept 2021

 Sunday, September 19, 2021

I decided to go big for the first of my proposed other-church visits today and went to the Wesley Center at UIUC—their traditional service, not the contemporary one.

The grand Wesley Foundation building has been in continuous operation since 1920 and was modeled after the one at Oxford where John Wesley was educated. Because it's on campus, I parked half a mile away and walked in. The first two church doors I tried were locked, but circling around—it's a really big building—I found an open one at last. (I also noticed a small parking lot in the back—too late.)

The sanctuary is classically dramatic with high ceilings and stained glass. Because of Covid, every second pew was cordoned off and everyone was masked. About a hundred people were spread in the big room. A sweet older woman down the row from me was happy to chat.

Lovely, moving music opened the service, followed by congregational singing of hymns. Spirit of the Living God we sang the first time through with our voices and then in sign language only. Loved this! Passing the peace in sign language was also encouraged.

Preaching today was Rev. Julie Dowler, a dynamic woman in a black t-shirt, who spoke of Mary and Martha in a message entitled Mind Your Own Busyness. The detailed bulletin told me this is third in a series on Soul Rest and that today is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. 

At the end, most people seemed to exit back toward the parking lot. But Pastor Julie was on the front steps when I came out, offering snacks to any walkers who had come today. (These were in addition to a snack in the guest bag handed out inside. It also contained information about the church, of course. 😁) It was nice to talk with her a few minutes.

Here are a few random pluses picked up from the bulletin. This congregation participates in the CROP walk! They host a "midweek campfire" with gourmet s'mores. Also listed were Friday picnics, ESL class, international coffeehouse on Zoom, "A Queer Space," yoga sessions, two book studies (one a New York Times bestseller), men's Bible study, and more. 

Overall, visiting here was a positive experience and I'd be happy to go back sometime—use the parking lot (!) and try the contemporary service. It was moving to pray the old chorus in sign language and I very much enjoyed the setting and the music.

The peace of Christ be with you!