A group seeking to create space for adults in roughly their 20s through 50s to build meaningful relationships, grow in faith, and find joy in shared life together.
But… Where’d This Name Come From? A Bit of History
In 1738, the Anglican priest John Wesley (founder of Methodism) experienced a profound spiritual awakening in London. On the evening of May 24, 1738, Wesley was attending a meeting on Aldersgate Street in London, where someone was reading from Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans. What happened there became one of the defining moments in the birth of the Methodist movement.
Wesley later recorded the experience in his journal:
“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading [Martin] Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Wesley’s language here echoes the heart of Scripture, where faith is a lived assurance, something received deep within the soul. His words resonate with Paul’s declaration in Romans 8:15–16, that the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. They reflect the grace-centered truth of Ephesians 2:8–9, that salvation is by grace, not the result of works. And they carry the echo of the risen Christ in Luke 24:32, where followers ask themselves, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road?”
This is what Wesley described at Aldersgate: a faith that is not only taught, but experienced; not only believed in the head but known in the heart. And John Wesley did not believe faith was meant to be private or passive. Instead, he organized people into small groups…class meetings, bands, and societies, where Christians could ask honest questions, confess struggles, pray together, and encourage one another in love. These were communities of spiritual practice and real-life discipleship.
The 1738 Society draws its name and spirit from this moment and movement.
So, What Do We Hope to Be and Do?
The 1738 Society is designed to be a modern expression of that same Wesleyan instinct: faith grows best in connection. We hope to be a community where adults navigating work, parenting, relationships, transitions, and everyday life can come as they are, free from pressures to perform or pretend. Life in this stage can feel full but fragmented as you are pulled in many directions and The 1738 Society is meant to be a place where you can come and simply just BE for a while.
At its core, this group is about authentic connection and spiritual growth. We hope this will be a place where friendships are formed and life can be shared. We also carry forward that Wesleyan conviction that faith is not just individual, it is communal. We grow not only by what we learn, but by how we show up for one another.
How Can I Show Up?
Getting connected with The 1738 Society is simple. In fact, our first gathering is this Saturday, June 27th at 6:30pm at the Pepper Valley Parsonage. If you’ve registered, we can’t wait to see you! If you weren’t available this time, don’t worry. We will gather throughout the year for a variety of events. Some meals, some casual social nights, and some service opportunities. Most events will have registration available so we can plan well, especially for food and space. Some gatherings may have a small cost, while others are completely free.
The best way to stay connected is to watch for upcoming event announcements and sign up when something fits your schedule. You are also welcome to invite friends, neighbors, or coworkers, we hope this will be this is a place with ever widening circles of connection.
There is no expectation to attend every time, we know life can pull you in many directions. But we hope you’ll come when you can. The door is always open. The 1738 Society is about walking together in grace.
