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The Golden Valley District Tour with Bishop Kennetha began on Saturday morning, March 4, with a gathering of Circuit Clergy and Lay leaders and a tour of the Coralville Community Pantry that is adjacent to the Coralville United Methodist Church. The church generously gifted land to the pantry to build a new 5,000 sq. ft. building located on the empty lot attached to the church’s existing site that opened to the public on January 21, 2023. The pantry was previously operating out of the former ...

This first weekend of the Iowa Conference "Remembering Who We Are" tours with Bishop Kennetha began in the Riverview Park district on Friday, February 24, 2023. This tour included a visit to Wesley Woods Camping and Retreat Center, time with Simpson College students, a visit with the Smith Memorial Chapel chaplain and the Simpson Youth Academy program director, a reception at the Holy Grounds Coffee Shop, clergy and laity gatherings in Des Moines, and worship at Ankeny First United Methodist ...

Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Liz Winders Director of Communications (515) 974-8907 liz.winders@iaumc.org For Immediate Release Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai installed as Iowa UM Conference’s New Episcopal Leader February 19, 2023, Des Moines, Iowa —"This is the church Wesley envisioned when he said, 'Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike.'  Wesley said we may not be of the same opinion, but can't we be of the same heart? Can't we have hearts centered in ...

Last night I got a call from our 15-year-old son, Kamden, who is with my husband as he finishes his 9th-grade year at East Lansing High School. This summer, he and my husband, Kee, will join me here in Iowa. Kamden called to tell me that he had been evacuated from an after-school basketball game, because there was an active shooter near the Michigan State University campus. He is safe and at home, with schools in the area closed today to allow kids and teachers the space and time to process what...

February 10, 2023 Dear Friends in Christ in the Iowa Conference,   The number of dead from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, has already exceeded 20,000. That is not to mention the many injured, as well as the homes and infrastructure the quake destroyed. Let us hold all of the people of this region in prayer: prayers for those whose lives were lost and for their families—prayers for first responders and the medical workers trying to manage the crisis—prayers for those who...

Following Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai's installation service on February 19 at Ames Collegiate & Wesley Foundation, she will begin a tour of Iowa United Methodist Church's five districts.  Riverview Park district – February 24 – 26 Golden Valley district – March 3 – 5 Aldersgate district – March 18 – 19 Camp Clear Lake district – April 20 – 22 Pictured Rocks district – May 19 – 21 Bishop Bigham-Tsai's theme during this time and into the 2023 Annual Conference is Remembering Who We Are. Details...

Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Liz Winders Director of Communications (515) 974-8907 liz.winders@iaumc.org For Immediate Release Installation Service for the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church’s newest Bishop  January 31, 2023, Des Moines, IA —Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai’s installation service will be on February 19, 2023, at Ames, Collegiate United Methodist Church & Wesley Foundation at 3:00 p.m. There will be a reception following the service.   ...

It is with great sadness that we have heard of the shooting that happened at “Starts Right Here,” an educational mentorship organization that helps at-risk youth in Des Moines.    Two students were killed, and the founder of the program, Will Holmes, was seriously injured. Please hold the families of these children, their classmates and friends, and the teachers and administrators of the program in prayer. Please also pray for Mr. Holmes and for those who are caring for him.    As United ...

Rev. Doug Cue Bishop Bigham-Tsai has announced her intention to appoint Rev. Doug Cue as the pastor at Newton First United Methodist Church beginning on July 1, 2023. Cue was appointed to serve as the Golden Valley District Superintendent in July of 2019. "I have only known Rev. Cue a short time, but it has been a joy working with him. He has a heart for the local church and a heart for Jesus," said Bigham-Tsai. "I am grateful for the excellent leadership he has provided for the Golden Valley ...

Rev. Karen Horan led Bishop Bigham-Tsai, members of her extended cabinet, and 33 Iowa pastors through an onboarding process on January 9 and 10, 2023. Because Bishop Bigham-Tsai began leading Iowa in January instead of September, using onboarding with an outside consultant can help fast-track her understanding of the Iowa Conference and its leaders.   Onboarding has been adapted for ministry settings by Claire Bowen, a human resource specialist and longtime member of Peachtree Road United ...

Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, her husband Kee, and her son Kamden made a quick trip to Iowa on December 6-7, 2022, before she begins residency in January 2023. During their visit, they toured the episcopal residence, visited high schools, met the appointed cabinet, and attended a farewell Christmas celebration hosted by Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller at the Iowa Conference Center.   Bishop Kennetha is already falling in love with Iowa after touring Des Moines, saying it reminds her a lot of ...

By Rev. Cindy Gregorson Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai has been assigned as the resident bishop for the Iowa Area, effective Jan. 1, 2023. She was elected to the episcopacy at the 2022 North Central Jurisdictional Conference. Before her election, she served as the chief connectional ministries officer of the Connectional Table for the United Methodist Church since 2018. Bishop Bigham-Tsai, has served as a district superintendent in the Michigan Annual Conference and as a local church pastor in ...