Great Barr and Oxford

We set out this morning as Wesleyan pilgrims in search of Francis Asbury's childhood home in what is now Great Barr, then Staffordshire. The gentleman who took us through the house said that most people around there didn't know or care much about Asbury, as he was of primary significance in America. He was the first "Bishop" (although intended by John Wesley to be called "Superintendent") of the Methodist Church in America. The time period in which he grew up was a time of change in the area, with people working in factories and "poorer" citizens treated as inconsequential to the Church of England. Asbury and Wesley's Methodism brought religion to the people, meeting them where they lived and showing them that their faith is of consequence, even in what might seem like a humdrum life. When John Wesley instructed that Francis Asbury should be named to the post of Superintendent to the Methodists in America, he insisted that he would only take the position if elected to it by his peers. He was, and so today the tradition continues that Methodist Bishops are elected by their peers.

We had a wonderful meal at Malt Shovel, the carvery nearby, giving the waitress enough material to entertain friends and family for quite a while. Noteable at the meal were Cindy Jackson's ginormous piece of chocolate cake, Marilyn's speedy rescue of her ice cream that was about to fall off her cake (rescued with her mouth, no less), and my unbelievably good Bailey's Sundae (which I had to assure the waitress I was over 18 in order to get).

Then we were back on the road, next stop Oxford. I've been curious about Oxford since Jesse told us that the university is kind of "everywhere" - many schools all over the place. It didn't disappoint... looked just like I thought it would. I still don't really understand their degree plans around here, but that's beside the point.

We visited Lincoln College, where Wesley was a fellow for most of his life, up until he married. The agreement was that he would receive a fellow's pay as long as he was single. That's actually the amount he lived on all of his life, even after he was making more money. All of the extra went to the outreach ministries of the Methodists. Lincoln College is a beautiful little school, with about 800 undergraduate and post-graduate students in a wide variety of fields. Our tour guide Rachel had been an English student there, and now works there. We saw the dining hall, chapel, Wesley's study and the beautiful grounds before heading back to the coach.

After checking in to the Cherwell Guest House, Cindy, David and I headed out in search of dinner. We found a nice little Mediterranean place a half mile down the road, Oxford Grill. Wonderful food and even better company!