DES MOINES, IOWA (November 28, 2023) — Hundreds joined Bishop Kennetha J Bigham-Tsai for an Advent Zoom study of Bishop Kenneth H Carter's book, Unrelenting Grace — A United Methodist Way of Life. Nearly 700 registered for the online devotional series, and at least 100 more joined in groups at churches and homes for the first session.
"In all the years of being members of The United Methodist Church, we have never been a part of such an inspirational gathering of this size,” said Hugh and Carol Mackintosh from Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. “It was evident that people wanted to be a part of this study. It is not only a study of Unrelenting Grace, but also a visible sign of how the members, and the leadership of the Iowa United Methodist Church, are and want to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai invited participants to discuss what grace means to them and how the church can respond in a broken world. She sees hope for the future of The United Methodist Church through God’s grace.
“As we join in this study of these next couple of weeks, we will all hear a message of hope,” said Bigham-Tsai. “We are here at a particular time in the life of the church, also in terms of what's going on in the world, and of our nation. In these times we must ask ourselves a question, ‘What does the church have to say? What does the United Methodist Church have to say?’ I'm going to suggest one word tonight, and that word is grace.”
That message of hope was uplifting to Retired Licensed Local Pastor Julie Ahrens, who currently serves two churches in Northeast Iowa. She described how the message of hope affirmed her belief that The United Methodist Church will come out stronger after past struggles.
"We are now in the process of working together to work toward inclusion, acceptance of all, understanding, and the realization that we will be strong as we work through the issues,” said Ahrens.
The Advent study will continue Tuesday nights at 7PM through December 19. It will culminate with an Epiphany Service of Commitment and Healing on January 7, 3PM, at First United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in-person and livestreamed. United Methodists aren’t the only ones invited to join the study. People with no church affiliation or who are from another denomination are invited to participate.You can find more information, register, and watch previous studies by visiting iaumc.org/adventstudy.
