This is the traditional opening hymn that is sung by all Methodist Conferences around the world. Since 1982, I have been a member of the Methodist Conference in Sri Lanka, and I have sung this hymn heartily ever since. We who participate at Methodist Conferences must ask whether we understand the relevance of this hymn to our Methodist gatherings. I was sad to see this hymn being sung as the processional hymn at a Methodist Conference held recently. Most of those who walked in the procession did not even sing because they had to "watch their steps". The majority of the audience was more interested in watching those going in procession. Only a very few sang the hymn but never smiled or acknowledged the presence of others while singing "And are we yet alive". This shows that even the leadership of the Conference has not captured the meaning or purpose of this hymn. In my humble opinion, it must be sung, rejoicingly looking at each other (at least the first few lines).
The great Methodist hymn writer "Charles Wesley first wrote this hymn for his 1749 collection, Hymns and Sacred Poems." His brother John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, began to use this hymn in 1780 at the opening of the annual assemblies of Methodists. Why limit it to annual gatherings? When Methodists meet for "holy conferencing" after a cycle of 12 months, they gather as people who have the pleasure of seeing "each other’s face". They consider it a moment of celebration with "glory and praise to Jesus... as people of His redeeming grace."
John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, used the term connexion (the original British spelling for connection), referring to a way of providing support to itinerant Methodist preachers (pastors). In his mind, Methodism was originally an evangelistic reform movement within the Anglican Church and not a separate denomination. Nevertheless, the Methodist preachers received no financial or vocational support from the Church of England. Therefore, its "travelling preachers were cut off from both salary and spiritual support. Imagine the insecurity they would have felt! Consequently, Charles Wesley’s hymn And Are We Yet Alive? has been written specifically to strengthen and reassure the support and fellowship of the "connexion". When singing this hymn at the Methodist Conference, the supporting spirit of that "connexion" has to be kept in mind, though our circumstances are different because we are a denomination today.
At the Conference, it may be the moment of seeing the face of a longtime friend and colleague or even a batchmate of our ordination who has been absent from our sight for an entire year. It could also be a moment of realizing that some of those with whom we sang "And are we yet alive" at the last Conference are no longer with us as they have joined the great cloud of witnesses.
For many of us who have served as members of the annual conference, there have been many troubles and conflicts "since we assembled last". In the last twelve months, adverse effects of climate change, economic worries, political mayhem in our nation, various injustices both in the world and the church, unresolved church issues, and so much more have threatened to steal our joy when serving the Lord. At the annual Conference can we embrace each other in the fellowship we share in Christ and pick up right where we left off?
May all our Methodist Conferences around the world gather the people called Methodists as people of hope, a hope that gives us strength to rebound even from the most difficult of circumstances. Let us never forget that our faith makes us resilient.
Rev. Asiri P. Perera
Retired President Bishop
Methodist Church Sri Lanka
1 And are we yet alive,
And see each other's face?
Glory and praise to Jesus give
For His redeeming grace.
2 Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus' praise we join,
And in His sight appear.
3 What troubles have we seen,
What conflicts have we passed,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Since we assembled last.
4 But out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by His love;
And still He doth His help afford,
And hides our life above.
5 Then let us make our boast
Of His redeeming power,
Which saves us to the uttermost,
Till we can sin no more.
6 Let us take up the cross
Till we the crown obtain;
And gladly reckon all things loss,
So we may Jesus gain.
Comments
Post a Comment