post #2 the beginning of the day -- it's only thursday

we began our day by loading a 'coach' at 7:50 (sharp!) to head to oxford, the community where the wesley's went to school -- not to be confused with cambridge -- but that is really a story in itself; but not today. the picture below depicts just how beautiful, 'old-worldliness' and how majestic and grand the life is around england.

we begin our journey in oxford heading to the methodist church. throughout the day we learn of the struggles of the church in these early years --midevil days and before and after, both protestant and catholic. and life was difficult; the two pictures that follow are former prisons, where the wesleys came to share the word of god. evangelism and prayer and bible study -- the wesleyan way. now, the general public will pay upwards of 300 pounds (nearly $500) per night to stay there.

arriving at one of the british methodist churches, we learn that this is what is called a 'town and gown' church; a congregation of townspeople, who receive visitors throughout the week through their sliding glass door -- gives new meaning to 'open hearts, open minds, and open doors', doesn't it?!

but, the wesley students come as well; many young adults on sunday afternoons, for fellowship and bible study. this was also one of the sanctuaries where john wesley preached.

our guide for today is cambridge scholar tim, who has loads of stories about oxford ... but anyway. you may notice two people from our conference; kris marshall on the right, and susan foster on the left. kris says hi, by the way, and has found an apartment in santa rosa for her new appointment on july 1st!


turning the corner, we enter christ college, the largest of the oxford colleges. isn't is just something! and harry potter fans will note several pictures that could be termed, "magical"! this is 'dead week' on the campus paths, so please remain silent for the rest of this blog; students are in study!

within the dining hall, pictures can be found all over, and, of course, stained glass. the one to the right depicts john and charles wesley.

we had a contest, of sorts, going on; trying to figure out what would displease john wesley the most; i think i am winning, unfortunately; i knew the theme song to 'the full monty', and i went shopping. john wesley would not be too enthusastic about that. but i did do some pastoral care with the poor as well, so maybe i can get back into his good graces....








entering into christ chapel, it is a typical cathedrial of sorts; the choir sings to one another seated at desks with lamps (seen behind the barried monk); this is also a style for students during chapel. there are side chapels in this anglican space. beautiful stained glass, and the pulpit where john wesley would have preached when he attended here.

depicted to the right and below (well, it is at the moment, anyway, is a form of prayer; these pictures are part of the floor, and you walk your prayer, meditating on the subject matter on which you are standing; this one is of justice. by the way, during the communion service, the small chapels are used, with the communion table up front, and the chairs facing the stained glass. during preaching services, the pulpit is used -- looks kind of like an air pod -- perhaps for a quick get-a-way after an unacceptable preaching experience -- which, by the way, lasted at least 45 minutes!

so ends this portion of christ church, oxford. the next post will pick up as we move through the other schools and into the community; oxford, by the way, is the school and the community; five major schools comprise the area, with other schools also participating; don't try to figure it out; i didn't. but needless to say, it is busy, it is exciting, and we haven't hit lunch yet!