WASHINGTON — Methodists from across the globe gathered in Washington to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Wesley’s birth at the Sixth Historical Convocation of the United Methodist Church July 20–22. Though the clergyman being celebrated was born three centuries ago, the gathering demonstrated through songs and speeches that his words have found a place in 21st-century music.
Wesley, whose more famous brother John founded the Methodist movement, created hymns that stretched well beyond Methodism to become part of the overall Christian music scene. His words express his Christian experience, experts say, as well as the seasons of the liturgical year and aspects of church life, including Communion.
“Just about every Christian church sings some of the hymns that Charles Wesley wrote,” said Robert Williams, general secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Archives and History. “We celebrate Christmas with ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,’ and we celebrate Easter with ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today.’” Other popular hymns include “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” Wesley wrote thousands of hymn texts, referencing all but four books of the Bible, said Eileen Guenther, associate professor of church music at Washington’s Wesley Theological Seminary, and the conductor of the convocation’s Festival of Music.
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