The Methodist family
Methodism grew from the 18th-century revival led by John and Charles Wesley. The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist body in the US. Since 2022 many congregations have joined the more traditional Global Methodist Church. The historically Black African Methodist Episcopal (AME), AME Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal churches belong to the same family, with their own rich worship traditions.
The order of worship
- A gathering hymn, a call to worship and an opening prayer.
- Scripture readings, often following the lectionary, and a sermon of 15 to 25 minutes.
- A children's moment, when young children come forward for a short talk.
- Prayers, the offering and, on communion Sundays, the Lord's Supper.
- A closing hymn and a blessing, often followed by a "sending forth" to serve.
Methodists love to sing: Charles Wesley wrote thousands of hymns, and you will probably sing some of them, such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" at Christmas.
An open table
United Methodist churches practice an open communion table: everyone who wants to receive is welcome, whatever their church, and children often receive too. Communion is usually on the first Sunday of the month, often by intinction: you take a piece of bread and dip it into the cup. Grape juice, not wine, is used.
Community life
Methodist churches tend to be busy all week, with food pantries, recovery meetings, preschools, mission trips and small groups. Infants are baptized, usually by sprinkling, and confirmation classes are offered to teenagers.