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“Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” — Proverbs 22:6 (NRSVUE)

This Mother's Day I wanted to share some powerful and interesting notes about Susannah Wesley. A mother's whose faith and legacy made possible the Methodist Church...

"Susannah Wesley is often called the Mother of Methodism—not because she preached in pulpits or built churches, but because she shaped the hearts and spirits of her children, John and Charles Wesley, who did. A mother to 19 children, Susannah was a woman of deep prayer, steadfast discipline, and unwavering faith. Her kitchen became a place of worship. While her husband Samuel was away for long periods, Susannah gathered her children and neighbors in their home on Sunday afternoons for singing, scripture, and prayer. At its height, over 200 people attended—more than the local church itself. When church officials criticized her for overstepping her role as a woman, she refused to stop. She wrote boldly, defending her calling to nurture the spiritual lives of those hungry for God. Her home may not have been a cathedral, but it became a sanctuary, and her kitchen table an altar. Susannah also famously covered her head with her apron when she prayed, signaling to her children not to disturb her communion with God. Her life was her ministry. Her daily devotion, her resolve, and her quiet strength left an imprint not only on her children but on the generations that followed. Through her, we see that the love and courage of a woman of faith can ripple through time." I truly believe that God’s love and Strength are often revealed most powerfully through such faithful women— mothers, teachers, and mentors—who shape lives not with fanfare, but with presence, prayer, and perseverance. 

Loving God, thank you for women of faith like Susannah Wesley, whose quiet strength and devotion reflect your steadfast love. May we honor them by living lives shaped by faith, courage, and compassion. Let their legacy remind us that the most ordinary places— like a kitchen table—can become holy ground when love leads the way. Amen.