Project considers Wesley sermons’ relevance for people of color

What relevance do John Wesley's sermons have for United Methodists of color? That question will be at the center of the Sermons of Wesley Project, a series of small-group gatherings throughout the North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The Sermons of Wesley Project is sponsored by Methodist Theological School in Ohio and the East Ohio Conference Racial-Ethnic Ministries, supported in part by a generous grant from the General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church.

The event is open to all and will span eight months, October 2013-May 2014. Participating clergy and laity will be invited to read and discuss together sermons posted on a special website. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. Information and registration are at www.mtso.edu/sermonsofwesley. The registration deadline is Oct. 9.

Participants will tune in each month for sermon and background information before moving into small groups at a time and location convenient for each group locally. Leaders will have additional access to an online discussion group to help facilitation. Networks of emerging Wesley scholars will be invited to participate in a larger event at the end of the study.

The project has been initiated by Gloria Brown, director of racial-ethnic ministry for the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. MTSO Professor Diane Lobody, who holds the Nippert Endowed Chair of Church History and Wesleyan Studies, has designed the study. Lisa Withrow, MTSO associate academic dean and professor in the Dewire Chair of Christian Leadership, is the facilitator.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio prepares leaders of many faith traditions for lives of significance in service to the church and the world. The school offers master's degrees in divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and practical theology, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

CONTACT:
Danny Russell, director of communications
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322