Do you plan to attend the General Conference in Charlotte? Please complete this form so our communications team can connect with you. We may reach out to get a quote or ask you to take a photo or two. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE: If you are a clergy or lay voting member of the annual conference you are invited to a gathering on Monday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Murray First UMC. The event is designed to unpack the impact of the General Conference, prepare for the Annual Conference in June, and appreciate the gift of being together. Please take a few minutes to register if you are a voting member of the TWK annual conference by clicking on this link.

Discipleship Ministries has featured an article by Rev. Jefferson Furtado (a Purchase District pastor) on how The Vine UMC connects folks to United Methodist theology, discipleship, and fellowship.

Camp Joy is a camp for special needs adults (31 and up) at Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center to be held June 9-14. Volunteers are needed to help keep campers safe. They are seeking volunteer counselors and medical staff (nurses, pharmacists & doctors). For more information, contact Dave Stewart at atsgrad08@gmail.com/901-849-7487. Sign up online at lakeshorecamp.org.

Bishop McAlilly and the Chairs of the Orders and Fellowship invite clergy to spend a day with each other at Montgomery Bell State Park on May 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please email Jonathan Lewis with questions: Jonathan.Lewis@mlh.org. | Learn more and register.

Where were you during the solar eclipse? Several of our conference churches hosted eclipse watch parties last week. Check out these photos from Reidland UMC's gathering!

DayShore is a day camp opportunity for campers to experience the joy of summer camp within their own community. Together, Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center and the church, work to provide a Christ-centered week filled with hands-on lessons about God.  Below is an opportunity in Calloway County. More will be added as information becomes avaialable.

Murray First UMC: (flyer)

• register here
• to volunteer, contact Colin here

It's that time of year when churches are planning VBS events. If your church is planning a VBS and has a flyer they'd like us to publicize in our eNews, please email it to Penny Story. If you'd like to find a VBS for your child, grandchild, neighbor, friend's child to attend, see the local church news section toward the bottom of this eNews.

The Red River District has added online courses in addition to their in-person courses.

In-person courses are being held at Pisgah UMC,  May 18 and 25, 2024, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM | Flyer

NEW - Online courses being offered online via Zoom in May 2024. (Check the flyer for specific dates.) | Flyer

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Bruce Myers, myersb@apsu.edu.

Mission u is a transformative educational program sponsored by TWK United Women in Faith. This program encompasses both Bible-based curricula and events for adults, youth, and children. All classes will be at Scarritt Bennett Center from July 11 to July 13. For additional information contact: Delores Smith, Registrar via email smithumw@gmail.com. |  Information and registration here. Deadline to register is June 3.

May 3rd – 5th Rev. Dr. Birgitte Thaarup French will lead participants through a transformative journey where she invites you to step away from the busyness of life, connect with other women, and experience the restorative power of walking hand in hand with the Shepherd. The theme is drawn from the comforting words of Psalm 23 and the relationship of the Shepherd with the lambs. | Learn more.

Faith, Family, Fiesta, Forgiveness

The third Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference will be held on June 17-19, 2024, at Murfreesboro First UMC. For up to date information, visit www.twkumc.org/AC2024. Registration began for clergy and lay voting members on April 1! Go ahead and reserve your hotel room. The room blocks fill up fast.

• Cedar Crest Camp, summer staf| application | website
• Lakeshore Summer Camp, summer staff | application | website

• TWK United Methodist Foundation Seeking President/CEO The United Methodist Foundation for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference announces that it will immediately begin receiving applications for the position of President and CEO of the Foundation. A process of application and interviews will soon be in place, with the naming of a new President in May. For more information, please go to https://umfmtc.org/ To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Board Chair, Anne Richards and Philip Jamieson by May 1.

On April 18, ENCORE Ministry – in partnership with engAGING Communities TN, UT Chattanooga's School of Nursing's older adult initiative – is hosting an in-person older adult ministry event at Mullins United Methodist Church in Memphis. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., the event will include worship, networking, and sessions by area experts on topics impacting older adults such as embracing aging, intentional older adult ministry, health and longevity tips, brain health, and legal issues. Resources for older adults and caregivers will be provided. A $10 in-person registration fee helps cover the cost of lunch. To register, click here. For more information, click here. Registration is limited to 90 participants. For those unable to attend, a recording of the event will be posted on the ENCORE Ministry website.

The Episcopal office is now collecting notes, letters, and cards if you wish to provide best wishes to Bishop Bill McAlilly as he prepares for retirement. We are also putting together a special retirement video for the bishop, and we would love for you to be a part of it! Learn more. Please submit by May 10.

Every year, our Annual Conference partners with the Foundation for Evangelism to honor individuals whose lives reflect the Great Commission through both word and deed. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors those who consistently practice their ministry of evangelism to bring people to life with Jesus Christ. Clergy and Laity (youth included) are eligible to be nominated for the award. Individuals, churches, or districts can make nominations. Learn more. 

When a church votes to disaffiliate, some members would rather Stay UMC and want to connect with others in the same situation. With The Vine, people can find an immediate connection with others seeking a home within the United Methodist Church. The Vine is gaining momentum--beautiful things are beginning to happen by the grace of God! Also, people can request that their district office hold their UMC membership temporarily until they find a new church home. (If they are not sure which district to contact, check here - Districts - TWKUMC)