I met Heidi shortly after she had her baby. I made a meal for her family (white chili, yum!) & our mutually chatty selves struck up a friendship. Heidi joined us for a Sew Domestic night this weekend. I made pizza, Sarah made cookies, and Heidi made a tote! Isn’t it pretty?
Heidi and her husband (an Army chaplain) are both graduates of seminary. What I find fascinating is their faith – John Wesleyan Methodist (is that how it’s described? *eta: maybe as part of Free Methodist?). This is my new fascination. One thing, among many, that struck me in conversation with Heidi was their devotion to Wesley’s Rule: "gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can." Such stewardship and social responsibility! Heidi’s lifestyle really is inspiring.
The six of us and all our kiddos (including Sarah’s chihuahas) had a great evening. Sarah made completely-from-scratch-gave-me-a-sugar-hangover yummy gingerbread cookies (is that Christmas I smell?):
Links of Interest: John Wesley on "The Use of Money"; Gingerbread Cookie recipe
Heidi says
Hey Crystal! Fun to look at the pics from our last SewDomestic night! I hope we can do that soon before you ETS. Wesleyan is another denomination, an offshoot of John Wesley’s Methodists, from which United Methodists and Free Methodists were born. You’re right, “John Wesleyan” is not the name of the denomination, just his last name is, Wesleyan. Talk soon.
**Crystal** says
I actually think it IS Free Methodist – I am sure, as in all denominations, there is a range even within the Free Methodist church. I’m not sure “John Wesleyan” is a denomination all its own, but I think there are still church members that follow Wesley more closely – and Heidi & her husband are such members.
Mom says
John and Charles Wesley’s lives are indeed inspiring… you should pick up a short biography on them as their spiritual odyssey from their childhood home to adulthood is quite the read (IMHO, anyway *s*)
As to the denominations that are in some way affiliated with Wesley… I’ve heard of United Methodist, Southern Methodist, and Free Methodist (the one in Seattle that I was so very impressed with when I went to a writer’s convention in the mid 90s)… have also heard folks talk about being “Wesleyan” but didn’t realize that might be another off-shoot. Very interesting. Enlighten me as you find out more!
missing my girls,
mom
ps. So how is South Beach doing, btw?