The John Street Journal

The Newsletter of John Street United Methodist Church Confirmation Classes Learn the Good (and Bad) of John Streets History
Nearly one hundred fifty youth preparing for Confirmation toured John Street Church this spring. Confirmation is the religious rite in which young men and women affirm the vows of Christian baptism and discipleship after a focused period of study and service. Coming from congregations in the New York, Upper New York, and Greater New Jersey Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church, at John Street students saw the artifacts on display in the Wesley Chapel Museum and heard stories from the churchs remarkable past. Our youth found the lecture and the museum at John Street to be eyeopening, said Rev. Matthew Curry of Grace UMC in Valley Stream, NY. They were amazed just to catch a glimpse of the life of John Wesley and the early New York Methodists, who otherwise would have been characters in a book. Rev. Currys experience underscores the importance of John Streets ministry to Confirmation classes. We have a tremendous opportunity to bring history and faith to life for young people in our region, said Rev. Jason Radmacher, who continued the tradition of offering tours when he became John Streets pastor ten years ago. I hope that the stories I tell and the items in our museum help the kids make a connection with their ancestors in faith so that they can follow their best examples and learn from their mistakes. One such mistake was a violent street fight between church members in 1856. I always tell that story to remind kids, especially, that just because Christians did it, doesnt mean it was the right thing to do. Groups may schedule tours of John Street Church year round, although March through May is the peak season for Confirmation classes. Visitors to the church often include several Lower Manhattan sites on their itineraries including the World Trade Center Memorial, St. Pauls Chapel, and the South Street Seaport.

Congregation Partners with Missionaries at Kentuckys Redbird Mission

John Street Church recently began a partnership with missionaries Craig and Karen Dial who serve at Redbird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. Founded by the Evangelical Churchan antecedent to the United Methodist Churchin 1921, Redbird Mission offers a variety of spiritual, educational, medical, and economic services to the people of Appalachia, in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Redbird supports a K-12 school, dental clinic, and a craft marketing program, as well as a work camp staffed by volunteers in mission and other service-minded groups. John Streets partnership with the Dials allows the congregation to offer financial support and prayers specifically for the couples work. Craig Dial serves as the Director of Economic Opportunities and Community Housing Improvement at Red Bird Mission. As Director of Economic Opportunities, Craig oversees the Craft Program and the Community Store at Red Bird Karen Dial is the Family Ministries Coordinator of Red Bird Mission's Community Outreach area. Her primary responsibilities include working with approximately 100 families participating in two programs that encourage local farming and gardening, Red Bird Farmers Project and Grow Appalachia program. I was so excited to hear that your congregation was interested in supporting Craig and me, Karen wrote in an email upon learning about John Street Churchs commitment. Your church has such a rich history! I can't wait to come and meet you all. While John Street Church receives a special mission offering for the Dials on the first Sunday of each month, members and friends may contribute to their ministry at anytime.
SUMMER 2013

Mission. Under Craigs leadership, Red Bird Mission built a new clothing store to replace the old one and also built a warehouse that can handle all the clothes, household goods, and furniture that are donated to the Mission.

JOHN STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Robert Williams Sold His Horse to Preach at John Street

Robert Williams was the first Methodist preacher to sail from England to the American colonies with John Wesleys blessing. Williams did so at the request of John Street Church. In early 1768, John Street Church was still in its infancy. In February, Philip Embury and other founding members began raising money and negotiating contracts to build Wesley Chapel, their first preaching house on John Street. The congregation selected Thomas Taylor to write a letter to Wesley in which he made a historic request. New Yorks Methodists needed the help of their British peers. We want an able, experienced preacher, Taylor begged Methodisms founder, [for] the progress of the gospel here depends much on the qualifications of the preachers. Wesley took Taylors request to his most experienced preachers, but none volunteered for the new assignment. In fact, several months passed before Williams, a poor part time local preacher, stepped forward. In the summer of 1769, Williams made plans for his departure. He convinced a wealthy friend to make the journey with him (and to buy the preachers ticket). Then he sold his Holding unique services for members of the congregation in addition to preaching services that were open to the public was one of Wesleys ideas that Williams brought to John Street. By the end of 1769, the first full time Methodist preachers arrived in New York and Williams graciously moved on to other areas. He joined forces with Methodist preachers in Pennsylvania and Maryland for a time, then moved to Virginia where he organized the Old Dominions first Methodist preaching circuit in 1774. Many United Methodist Churches in Virginia and North Carolina trace their origins to Williams ministry. Robert Williams died September 26, 1775. At his funeral, Francis Asbury, Wesleys leading man in the colonies, paid him tribute. Perhaps no man in America has been an instrument of awakening so many souls, the future bishop declared, as God has awakened by

Williams organized the first Methodist preaching circuit in Virginia in 1774.

horse to pay his debts and set sail carrying only his saddle bags, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of milk. New Yorks Methodists eagerly received Williams upon his arrival in September. He preached his first sermon in Wesley Chapel on John Street less than a year after the buildings dedication. He also began organizing the congregation in a manner that was consistent with Wesleys practices.

Easter Worship Service Tops 200 for Second Year

For the second straight year more than two hundred people participated in John Street Churchs Easter Sunday worship service. The gathering on March 31 was the largest for a Sunday service at John Street in several decades. After a winter season in which many residents and Lower Manhattan businesses struggled to recover from Super Storm Sandy, Easters message of hope and new life had great resonance. On Easter Sunday and all through Holy Week, we reconnected with so many friends and members who had been displaced from their homes and offices after the storm, said Rev. Jason Radmacher. It was a powerful reminder of the crosses we must bear, and Christs promise of resurrection. Almost 750 people participated in at least one of the five Holy Week and Easter worship services held at John Street Church in 2013.

Stay Connected with John Street Church

Stay connected with John Street Church and Rev. Jason Radmacher through these online platforms. Twitter @JohnStUMC @JasonRadmacher Facebook Pages John Street United Methodist Church Jason Radamcher Jasons Blog www.jasonatjohnstreet.blogspot.com Official Website www.johnstreetchurch.org Email johnstreetchurch@gmail.com info@johnstreetchurch.org jason@johnstreetchurch.org

Did you know that you can make a secure, tax-deductible donation to John Street Church online? You can explore the range of giving options and register to give at www.e-giving.org/johnstreetumc.
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