The ‘Big Sing’ certainly lived up to its name. On Sunday evening 25th November, well over 1200 people gathered from all over the London Methodist District and beyond to celebrate the life and hymns of Charles Wesley. As they made their way up the Great Hall Staircase they were greeted by our young adults dressed in 18th Century costumes and folk musicians playing music from the period.
The large Westminster Praise Orchestra worked alongside the magnificent organ to lead the worship, whilst the Westminster Praise Choir sang an anthem by one of Charles Wesley’s ancestors – S.S. Wesley. The evening also featured the premiere performance of a new piece, the “Wesley Suite”, by former Methodist Central Hall Director of Music Keith Beniston. The Westminster Children’s choir had everyone on their feet and joining in, whilst there was also the somewhat incongruous sight of our Young Adult Pastor, Jonathan Green, dressed as an Eighteenth Century dandy, leading a contemporary version of a Wesley hymn!
Charles Wesley (Tony Jasper) himself visited from beyond the grave, marvelling that so many had gathered to sing his hymns, pointing out that we had missed out many of the verses he had so carefully written, and telling us that John Lennon led the Praise Band in heaven!
The Revd Tony Miles used his broadcasting skills to full effect as he interviewed Ghanaian Methodist Rebecca Adu-Gwamfi, Tony Jasper and our Director of Music, Alistair Lilley (soon to move on to a new post in the Netherlands).
The evening concluded with a challenging sermon from our Superintendent Minister, the Revd Martin Turner, who asked the packed congregation if they were merely singing out the faith, or whether they had a living experience of it.
The two hour event was hosted by Tony Miles, who said, ‘I think Charles Wesley would’ve approved! The wonderful music and singing from the Methodists at this event demonstrated our vibrant and living faith. We must treasure the heritage and theology of our hymns, but also, in the spirit of ‘The Sweet Singer of Methodism’, explore new ways of expressing our faith in order to be relevant to today’s culture.’
The aim of the ‘Gathering’ events is to draw together Christians from around London to Central Hall for celebratory events that many churches would not be able to host themselves. The offering for the evening raised £3,760.00 and this will help to offset the expenses of the next Gathering: A ‘Cabaret Night’ - featuring flautist Simeon Wood, comedian and magician, John Archer, and the theatre company, ‘Regarding Eve’. Please book the date in your diaries: Sunday 27th April 2008, 6.30pm in the Great Hall. |
