The community is invited to prepare for Christmas through a new free Advent study “Hope Amidst the Chaos” written and led by Fayetteville First United Methodist Church’s associate minister, the Rev. Allyson Lawrence.
The four-week study exploring the book of Isaiah begins Nov. 19 and continues Dec. 3, 10 and 17 with two meeting times each day: one at 10 a.m. and the other at 6:15 p.m.
“This discussion-style study will cover the structure of the book of Isaiah and will explore the historical context as we journey with the people of Israel from their Babylonian exile back to their homeland,” said Lawrence, “But a major focus will be holding onto hope when the worst has happened.”
Using a weekly guide and suggested readings from Isaiah, participants will identify what the chaos may be today and the promise of hope and redemption in our time.
Lawrence joined the staff of Fayetteville First UMC this year as minister of discipleship and evangelism.
After graduating from Louisiana Tech, she worked in the forestry field for eight years (four of those years with the University of Georgia).
She volunteered in ministry until 2007 when she was appointed as a part-time local pastor at Prospect United Methodist Church in Morgan County.
In 2008, she was appointed to Griffin First United Methodist Church as an assistant pastor focusing on youth ministries, while concurrently working on her masters of divinity at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
After graduating with her master’s in 2011 with a concentration in spiritual formation, she was commissioned as a provisional elder in the North Georgia Annual Conference in 2012. She served as associate pastor at McDonough FUMC working with youth, missions, Christian education and discipleship before joining the staff at Fayetteville First UMC in June of this year.
Registration is now open through the church office at 770-461-4313 or online at fayettevillefirst.com. Classes will be held at Fayetteville First UMC, 175 East Lanier Ave., Fayetteville, next to the historic courthouse.
