The TWK Conference thanks you for your continued support and prayer amidst the ongoing disaster response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene and in preparation for impending storms. Please share this NEW printable document with updated information concerning how you and your congregation can best help at this early stage in the recovery process. You can continue to help in these ways:

1. Prayer - Please continue praying for those directly impacted by the hurricane, for the first responders, and our ministry partners throughout our United Methodist connection.
2. UMCOR Kits - Churches can support our sisters and brothers by assembling UMCOR kits. We have new information regarding designated drop-off locations. | These cleaning and hygiene kits are urgently needed!
3. Financial Giving - Financial donations are critical. You can support the TWK Response to Hurricane Helene by giving to the conference TWK Disaster Recovery fund. 
4. Train to Join an Early Response Team - The TWK Disaster Leadership team has announced three upcoming dates for ERT training sessions across the conference. The first of these sessions is on October 19 at the Purchase District Office in Kirksey, KY. Please register by October 14. |  Click this link to find information about this and the other two dates.
5. Please note: Because of safety concerns, it is still too soon to deploy our teams. 

For more information, please visit our Hurricane Disaster Response webpage. Please contact the team with any questions or specific aid you can offer at disasterresponse@twkumc.org.

Our TWK Disaster Response team has scheduled three upcoming trainings for those feeling called to join an Early Response Team and provide disaster response aid to the Holston Conference in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The dates are as follows:

1. October 19 at the Purchase District Office, 2285 Jack Treas Road, Kirksey, KY 42054. Registration Deadline: October 14, 2024. Register now.
2. November 16 at MTSU Wesley Foundation, 216 College Heights, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Registration Deadline: November 4, 2024.  Register now.
3. December 14 at Ripley FUMC, 145 S. Main Street, Ripley, TN 38063. Registration Deadline: December 2, 2024.  Register now.

Lakeshore Camp and Retreat has some big goals this year—revitalizing the waterfront with much-needed upgrades and growing their campership fund to ensure that more kids can experience the life-changing magic of camp. And they need your help to make it happen!

The 'Fill the Calendar' Challenge is an easy way to help them raise the needed funds. Each day in November corresponds to a donation amount (e.g., the 5th is $5, the 30th is $30), and a full calendar raises $465! Can they count on your support? See the Calendar with Instructions for details.

Clergy and laity, please save the date for a District Gathering with Bishop David Graves on December 3. More details to come.

Advanced Lay Servant Training

November 23rd, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Title "Conversations with the brothers Wesley"

Offered in-person (Dyer, TN) and Zoom

Instructor: Rev. Harrell Nation

Local Pastors are invited and encouraged to attend as well! Registration is required!

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Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Training

…is available online on the Be a Disciple website. If you have completed Lay Servant classes and are interested in taking classes to become a CLM, use the link https://beadisciple.com/certified-lay-ministry/ to learn more. Before registering for the online classes, please notify your pastor.

All are invited to attend Creation Care Event at Green Hill Farm in Fulton, Ky. on Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join in on the fun and serenity of nature while going on a farm walk, taking a walk in the labyrinth, gathering for a devotional, taking time to relax and fellowshipping during lunch. Please R.S.V.P. (see flyer).

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The next TWK Children's Ministry meetup will be on Monday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m. Participants will connect via Zoom to check in and discuss all things Advent in preparation for this important season. Come share what has been meaningful in your context and learn from others! RSVP here.

Have you noticed that fewer people are visiting your church than ever before? Are you looking for creative ways of being the church with your neighbors?

On Saturday, November 23, at Belmont University, join the TWK Faith and Innovation team and Luke Edwards, Associate Director of Church Development for the Western NC Conference, for an introduction to starting fresh expressions of church that connect with post-Christian neighbors.

Everyone who registers will receive Luke's book, Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions.

A fresh expression is a new form of church for people who won't come to church on Sunday mornings. They begin with a period of relationship building and look for ways to invite people into discipleship. Come to learn more! Register here.

Join us at the Purchase District Office for a special streaming of the conversation with Rev. Tisby and Rev. Wallis. We will gather as a group to view this event taking place at Brentwood UMC. Contact Ben Boone with any questions.  

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Reelfoot Rural Ministries is preparing for the 48th Christmas Toy Store! The racks are up and they are purchasing and receiving gifts already. Last year, 300 families participated in the Christmas Toy Store with nearly 750 kids receiving new gifts on Christmas morning.  

In early December families will come to RRM to select new gifts for their children. Families apply and are assigned a day and time to shop for their children. The gifts are all new and unwrapped, provided by donations from supporters of RRM. Each family, as they are able, will pay $5.00 per child for at least three new gifts. 

Click here to see how you can help.

Tune into the most recent Table Talk podcast episode to explore the role of deacons in the UMC, as well as hear from our guests about what the General Conference decision means for the order going forward.

Listen to this episode now!

Share the episode on social media with your congregation!

The Table Talk team wants to hear your feedback. Please reach out to them at table.talk@twkumc.org.

Bishop Graves would love for young TWK conference members to learn more about him and his job. Does your child want to ask him a question? The TWK Communications team is seeking brief video clips of children with questions for our new bishop. We request that a parent email the clip to communications@twkumc.org with permission to post it on social media or the conference website. Bishop Graves will answer several of these questions online over the coming weeks!

The Murray State Wesley Foundation will again open its doors to alumni, students, supporters and friends this Homecoming! Connect with Wesley Foundation Campus Minister Rev. April Arnold, meet members of the current Wesley Foundation Board and share your favorite memories with their amazing students.

Come and share what you love about Wesley during a Homecoming Open House Friday, Oct. 18, 4-6 p.m. The event is free and light refreshments will be provided. 

As announced at the 2024 TWK Annual Conference, a task team was designated to consider potential options for churches that might want to utilize ⁋2549 from the Book of Discipline to depart from the denomination. That provision addresses the closure of local churches. The task team met with Bishop Graves last week. Read update.