Tuesdays at Table logo 2
Aug. 31, 2021 | CHICAGO, Ill.: “Tuesdays at the Table: Should I stay? Or should I go?” is a new discussion series for United Methodists, presented by the Connectional Table (CT) in cooperation with general agencies and contributors. Weekly segments will explore topics aimed at helping viewers better understand their faith, their church and themselves. The sessions will air every Tuesday at 10 a.m. CT from Oct. 5 – Dec. 21 on Facebook, and will also be available for later viewing at UMC.org/ComeToTheTable and the UMC YouTube channel.
"This new series seeks to help us think through the issues that are confronting our church," said the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Ministries Officer. "As the church navigates the realities presented by tensions within the denomination and the global coronavirus pandemic, it is essential that United Methodists explore and understand who we are, what we believe and how we live as people of God."
David N. Field
Dr. David N. Field
Bigham-Tsai will host an introductory session on October 5, 2021, with Dr. David Field, renowned author, theologian and Ecumenical Staff Officer for Faith and Order and Theological Dialogue. Dr. Field will share why he is a United Methodist and how he is thinking through the issues facing the world and church today.
The following four weeks, Oct. 12 through Nov. 2, will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Jacob Dharmaraj, a CT member and a retired clergy member of the New York Annual Conference, and will explore the question, "How can we know God?” Dharmaraj and guests will talk about the role of the Bible in our lives, the part reason plays in our spiritual lives, our experience of God in a complex world and whether we have to believe a certain way to belong.
NFAUUM Photo
Jacob Dharmaraj
The Rev. Dr. Jacob Dharmaraj is president of the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists
From Nov. 9-23, the discussions will center on the question, “What is grace anyway?” Dr. Ashley Boggan Dreff, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, will host these discussions about God's love, Wesley’s thoughts about holiness and our grateful response to God’s grace by living as disciples of Jesus Christ.
On Nov. 30 and De. 7, CT member Michelle Hettmann, communications director at Burke United Methodist Church in Virginia and certified candidate for ministry, will lead conversations about what it means to be the people of The United Methodist Church. Those sessions will center on the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion to talk about what it means to be a person of faith connected to others.
A live panel with a question and answer session will take place on Dec. 14. Speakers will address frequently asked questions received over the weeks. Viewers can submit questions and the panel will address a number of those live as time allows.
To wrap the series, the Wesley Covenant Service, focused on COVID-19 relief, will prepare members for the new year through recommitting to God and the ministries to which United Methodists are called.
To access full session and speaker information, visit UMC.org/ComeToTheTable.
The Connectional Table works to steward the mission, vision and ministries of The United Methodist Church. For more information, please visit umcct.org.
Brenda Smotherman writes for United Methodist Communications.