Last week I went up to London to view art work held by the Methodist Church. Two favourites were an untitled (but given the name Pentecost) and Dalit Madonna. Pentecost was very atmospheric, very dark lower half, bluer sky above and the blurry outline of a white dove breaking through the darkness. The other painting was just very motherly, the Indian woman sitting so that she almost formed a circle in the picture. The baby Jesus was protected in her lap by her hands yet also as in the womb. The arts form a very important part of my faith and this was a small but good exhibition to see.
Not far from the exhibition is Bunhill Fields, the final resting place of many famous people including William Blake, John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe and Susanna Wesley (mother of John and Charles). I've wanted to see the grave of William Blake since reading Tracy Chevalier's Burning Bright, though I have admired Blake for some years so this was an opportunity not to be missed. Just over the road from the burial grounds was the Wesley Chapel, museum and John Wesley's house. The chapel was a nice place to sit and rest away from the hustle and bustle of London. The museum had all sorts of things following Methodism through the ages including special loving cups and many busts of John Wesley, cups and saucers, letters and photos and the original pulpit. I had my own personal guided tour of John Wesley's house (his baby rattle and teether would be of concern to health and safety!). I never realised that John Wesley was one of 19 children and that his mother was the 25th child - her poor mother! Of course Charles Wesley (who stayed there) was the big hymn writer including Love Divine All, Loves Excelling, Rejoice the Lord is King and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
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