NASHVILLE, Tenn. June 19, 2017 /Discipleship Ministries/ – United Methodist clergy and laity who want to nurture their understanding about living Christian lives the Wesleyan way will have an additional opportunity join the Wesley Pilgrimage in England during 2018.
 
For the first time, the annual journey hosted by Discipleship Ministries will be expanded to two pilgrimages – one in the spring and another in the summer – to accommodate people who have been turned away in previous years due to limited space.
 
“The Wesley Pilgrimage is a powerful experience to deepen your faith and your knowledge of the United Methodist/Wesleyan tradition,” said Steve Manskar, Director of Wesleyan Leadership at Discipleship Ministries. “Pilgrims will be immersed in theology history and the method of Methodism – the Wesleyan way of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
 
Registration for the first pilgrimage in 2018, a shorter and less expensive experience April 26 – May 4, is open now online at http://bit.ly/2iUPRE4. Registration for the second pilgrimage July 9-19, will open later this year. A limited number of scholarships will be available for the summer journey for provisional elders and deacons, licensed local pastors, lay servants, lay speakers and certified lay ministers.
 
“My hope is that by offering this shorter, less expensive experience we will attract the people who don't qualify for scholarships,” Manskar said.
 
Cost of the spring pilgrimage is $1,795, plus airfare, and only 25 slots are available. The summer pilgrimage without a scholarship will cost $2,195, plus airfare, and only 10 nonscholarship slots are available.
 
Both pilgrimages will be led by Manskar and Dr. Paul Chilcote, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio.
 
During the eight-day spring pilgrimage, participants will explore:
 

  • Oxford, where Methodism first emerged in the Holy Club
  • Bristol, the home of the first Methodist meeting house and the class meeting
  • London, where both Wesley brothers experienced assurance of salvation and built the missional center of British Methodism
  • Salisbury, home to a vital Methodist congregation once served by Francis Asbury, the father of American Methodism

 
The 10-day summer pilgrimage will include a visit to Epworth, the Wesleys’ birthplace, in addition to Oxford, Bristol, London, and Salisbury.
 
Manskar and Chilcote will lead teaching sessions during both pilgrimages at Sarum College in Salisbury.
 
“We hope members of congregations and pastors, especially retired clergy and laity, who want to grow and deepen their understanding of living a Christian life the Wesleyan way will join us for this shorter, less expensive pilgrimage,” Manskar said.