“I don’t stop giving thanks to God for you when I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1: 16, CEB
In 2018, I came to the Connectional Table (CT) as the new Chief Connectional Ministries Officer. And, now, upon my election as a bishop of The United Methodist Church, I am departing. In the years I served, I got to know United Methodists around the globe and came to understand our church as a worldwide body, centered in God’s mission.
I am grateful for every step of my journey with the CT. But most of all, I am grateful for the people with whom I have served--our excellent staff, our board members, and our chairs. I am also grateful for the Council of Bishops (COB) which has often come alongside the CT in its work and for our general secretaries and their passion for the ministries of our church. As well, I am grateful for members of the caucus groups who have challenged us to bring greater equity to our work.
As the CT moves forward, under different leadership, I will not stop giving thanks for the opportunities it has given me to see the worldwide nature of our church in the faces of its people. And I will pray. I will pray that the CT and GCFA work effectively to shape an equitable budget, keeping the values of mission, equity, transparency, and stewardship at the center of those discussions. I will pray that the CT continues its effective work with the agencies, coming alongside them as they continue to find ways to live into more collaborative structures. And, I will pray that the CT continues its work to move our church toward regionalization, nurturing partnerships with grassroots groups such as the Christmas Covenant outreach team, with agencies such as Wespath, and with bodies such as the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters.
I will not stop giving thanks, and I will not stop praying for the Connectional Table and our United Methodist Church. Please hold me and my family in your prayers as we embark on a new journey in the Iowa Episcopal Area. And please keep the people of Iowa in prayer as they make the transition to new leadership.
Blessings and Peace,
Bishop Kennetha