September 24, 2026

 

Board of Ordained Ministry hosts Resident Ministry Retreat

The TWK Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) Residency in Ministry Retreat was held August 17-20 2026 at Beersheba Springs Assembly. Fourteen residents joined five Board of Ordained Ministry members for four days of rest, renewal, personal development, and preparation for the Board of Ordained Ministry Evaluation Conference.

The Board of Ordained Ministry's annual Residency in Ministry retreat takes place each fall and is part of the overall residency experience that includes one-on-one mentoring, yearly evaluation, and covenantal living.

More from the retreat
 

Rural Engagement Liaison position | Applications due by tomorrow

The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference (TWK) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Martin Methodist Foundation (MMF) to engage in a season of deep listening in order to discover meaningful ways to support spiritual leaders serving in rural communities across the TWK.

Guiding this conference-wide listening will be a part-time staff person - a Rural Engagement Liaison - to spend a year listening deeply to rural clergy, laity, and congregations across the Conference.

Full financial support for this position comes from a grant awarded by the Martin Methodist Foundation to the Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference Faith and Innovation Team. Click for the Job Announcement and the Full Job Description

Apply now

Wesley in the Woods: TWK Confirmation Retreat

Join us at Cedar Crest Camp November 13-15, 2026, for a weekend of exploring what it means to be United Methodist.

Rev. Mary Kate Meyers is our speaker, and TayLa Fugate is our worship leader. The weekend's theme is "Wesley's Rules: Do Good, Do No Harm, and Stay in Love with God."

In addition to worship, the weekend will include breakout sessions on themes of United Methodism, camp activities, a bonfire, and time engaging with churches across our TWK conference.

Register Here
 

Partnerships grow one person's passion into multi-faceted ministry

What begins with one person's calling can grow into something far greater. Healing Housing, rooted in Brentwood United Methodist Church, has housed more than 300 women recovering from substance abuse since 2017. Through referral, programmatic, and community partnerships, the ministry continues to expand its reach. Discover how strategic collaboration transforms lives and what your congregation can learn. 

Read the full story

The First 90 Days: Living Into Our New Districts

On July 1, 2026, the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference launched a new chapter with three districts. Now eleven weeks in, leaders reflect on early progress and the mission-driven vision guiding this transition — one shaped not by the speed of a task list, but by the goal of helping every local church make disciples and flourish in its community. Read the full story here.

Bearing Witness: Solemn Vigil for Hope, Healing, and Life

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, United Methodists and ecumenical allies from across our connection will gather in a solemn vigil outside Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Together, we will stand in prayer and public witness to oppose the execution of Christa Gail Pike.

Our presence flows directly from our Christian witness and long-held United Methodist beliefs, including the United Methodist Social Principles stance on the death penalty as well as the resolution passed at the 2026 TWK Annual Conference advocating for the abolition of the death penalty across our conference.

To read more about this and to learn how you can bear witness, click here.

From Diversity to Belonging: A Conversation on Multiethnic Ministry

Woodbine UMC invites clergy and lay leaders from across the TWK Conference to join us for a special conversation on multiethnic ministry. Our guest, Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz, will share from his experience planting and leading The Nett, including the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned in developing a multiethnic congregation. This gathering will include storytelling, practical learning, interactive conversation, and opportunities for participants to reflect on their own ministry contexts. Register here

Save the Date to Celebrate the Hope

Join the Hannah's Hope staff and Board of Trustees on October 3 as we continue to serve more mothers and babies throughout West TN. We will have a delicious dinner, some lovely music, and fellowship. You will hear testimonials from some of the women served, as well as from community partners. You will receive updates about how the work at Hannah’s Hope is changing the lives of women and children across West TN. Learn more here.

Grant Opportunities

UMC Solar and Battery Pilot Program

Through a new pilot program led by Global Ministries Environmental Sustainability and UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response, churches who offer community-based services can now learn how to implement solar and/or battery storage so they can stay open when a disaster or power outage disrupts their normal operations. Accepted churches will receive comprehensive guidance in using these technologies, and some may be eligible for grants to purchase solar and battery systems. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Churches Can “Welcome the Stranger” with an UMCOR Mustard Seed Migration Grant
Local churches can help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their communities through UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program. Awarded grants fund up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project. Apply by Nov. 15. Learn more and apply.

Scholarships Available for The Wonder Summit | November 4-6

The TWK Children's Ministry Team has a limited number of scholarships available, up to the amount of $438, to help pastors, children's ministers or lay people attend The Wonder Summit to explore new ways to engage children in congregational worship and prayer. Fill out this form to request scholarship assistance. Questions? Contact children@twkumc.org

The Wonder Summit is a joy-filled, thoughtfully United Methodist gathering for pastors, worship leaders, children’s ministry leaders, lay leaders, parents, and anyone who cares about the faith formation of children in our congregations. This conference is hosted in partnership with United Methodists from across the Southeastern Jurisdiction to make space to come together to imagine, practice, and reflect on meaningful ways to engage children as active participants in congregational worship and prayer. For more details and to register go to https://www.thewondersummit.org.

The deadline to register for The Wonder Summit is October 15, 2026.

Lakeshore Jr/Sr High Retreat | November 6-8

This November retreat is designed to get junior and senior high youth out of the typical routine and into God’s creation. We hope to challenge not only every student, but the youth group as a whole. Our goal is for each person in attendance to deepen their relationships with God, learn more about others in their youth group, and build bridges to other faith communities across the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference. Learn more here.

Discern Your Call at Exploration 2026

EXPLORATION 2026, November 6-8 in Orlando

Are you exploring a call to ministry, service, or leadership? EXPLORATION 2026 is a transformative weekend for adults ages 18 and older to discern God's call in community. Through worship, workshops, and conversations with clergy, missionaries, chaplains, and lay leaders, participants will explore a variety of ministry pathways while building meaningful connections with peers on a similar journey. Click here to register.

Webinar: Voting, Voice, and Democracy

Join the General Board of Church and Society on Oct. 1 and 2 for a timely two-part webinar series exploring what is at stake for voting rights, representation, and the future of American democracy. Learn more here.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention month and we invite local churches across the TWK to help raise awareness and equip each other to respond with compassion, confidence, and hope. A collection of ready-to-use resources curated by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries is available to you. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Upcoming Events

SEP
23
Wed
Roofing Risks and Realities for Churches
1:00 PM – 1:00 PM  ·  Zoom
 
SEP
24
Thu
Lead Next Nashville
All Day  ·  Brentwood UMC
 
SEP
24
Thu
Fusion: Worship Music Conference
All Day  ·  Belmont, Nashville
 
SEP
25
Fri
Senior High Leadership Retreat
All Day  ·  Cedar Crest Camp, Lyles
 
SEP
25
Fri
Older Elementary Retreat @ Lakeshore Camp
7:00 PM
 
SEP
26
Sat
Widening the Table: Planning LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Trauma-Informed Worship
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM  ·  Zoom
 
SEP
26
Sat
Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM  ·  Pickwick (Hardin Co.), Counce
 
SEP
26
Sat
Mapping Our Way Forward: TWK Conference UWF Annual Meeting
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM  ·  South Pleasant Grove, Murray
 
SEP
26
Sat
United Women in Faith Annual Meeting of the TWK Conference
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
SEP
30
Wed
Momentum: Leadership Institute 2026
All Day
 
OCT
1
Thu
Miriam’s Promise: A Future & a Promise
6:00 PM – 6:00 PM  ·  Traveler’s Rest Historic Home, Nashville
 
OCT
2
Fri
Senior High Leadership Summit
All Day
 
OCT
3
Sat
Hannah’s Hope Evening of Hope 2026
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM  ·  Emmanuel UMC, Memphis
 
OCT
7
Wed
2026 Church Mental Health Summit
All Day
 
OCT
14
Wed
TWK Connection Map Office Hours
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
OCT
15
Thu
Pastoring Across Political Divides
All Day
 
OCT
17
Sat
From Diversity to Belonging: A Conversation on Multiethnic Ministry
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM  ·  Woodbine, Nashville
 
OCT
28
Wed
National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice
All Day

Wed, Sep 23, 2026

Read more

 

1908 Grand Ave, Nashville, TN 37212

Email: communications@twkumc.org

Phone: (615) 329-1177

Website: twkumc.org

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