We are more than halfway through the Purchase District Charge Conference (CC) season, and I want to take the time to say thank you to every leader and pastor that has attended faithful to this essential work. The primary responsibility of the CC is the annual total evaluation of the mission and ministry of the church, and we have some amazing mission and ministry being done in the UMC congregations of our District. As District Superintendent, I have asked every church to share their ministry joys. We have quite a list being generated. As I am adding week after week to this joy list, I am finding myself humbled by the efforts of each congregation to “put back the blocks of ministry” that seemed to have staggered during the pandemic. Traditions like potlucks and fish frys are returning to your calendars, but many are embracing new ministries and community outreaches like drive through prayer and on-line worship, and not just as a response to Covid restrictions but as ways of expanding community outreach. As promised, I will type up our District Joy List and share it in a few weeks. I am sure it will be a blessing to us all as we look to our next year of ministry throughout our connection.  

A special thank you from all the District Staff, Penny, Joe, and me to the Cluster Host Churches and Churchwide Charge Conferences for their hospitality. One church even had a pizza party for the gathering! It has been a wonderful season of gathering and fellowship, and we are excited about the year to come. 

Peace of Christ,

Nancy

At the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference (SEJ) last week, it was announced that Bishop McAlilly has been reassigned as the resident bishop of the Nashville Episcopal Area and the TWK Conference. We are excited and grateful to have Bishop McAlilly return! Read more. A day-by-day recap and the link to videos from the SEJ Conference are available here.

The Commission on the General Conference announced recently that the 2024 United Methodist General Conference will be held April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. | Details

Also, it has been announced that the 2024 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference (SEJ) will meet on July 10-13, 2024.

What do you think of when you hear the word evangelism? Evangel is simply the Christian gospel and evangelism is simply the telling or spreading of the good news! As always, these tasks are more easily accomplished together!

You, your family, your small group or congregation has an opportunity to tell the story of the birth of Jesus: Saturday, December 3, 1-3pm and 6-9pm at the Murray Calloway County Fairgrounds at 211 Fairgrounds Rd. Murray, KY 42071! The UMC's of Calloway County has a Live Nativity with 8 scenes that tell this story. We have live animals, including camels. We have scenes, costumes, and refreshments. All indoors!

Won't you consider joining us to tell this story once again? For more information contact Calloway Cluster Chairperson, Mrs. Tara McClure: [email protected].

Blessings!

UMCOM has created a special presentation called "We are the church. Together," that will remind congregations of their identity as United Methodists while also inviting them to have constructive conversations about what they hope the future will bring, both for The UMC as a whole and their congregation. Learn more and get involved.

The TWK BMCR will host a youth and young adult-led Advent worship service on November 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be a worship service to remember! Join on this Facebook page.

At the end of this year, the bishop, cabinet and Board of Ministry will begin sharing correspondence with clergy using your assigned TWK email address. Please access and begin using this address now. (You are welcome to forward the address to a personal or church-related address if you prefer.) Click here for instructions on how to login into your TWK email and forward emails. It is your responsibility to ensure you are utilizing the TWK email for future communication. Thank you!

Please note: TWK Conference staff and clergy email will be discontinued once they no longer hold their paid conference position. Ordained clergy in good standing will keep this email for a lifetime.

The Red Bird Missionary Conference is now called the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference with priorities now focusing on health and wellness initiatives, community outreach, and leadership transformation. Read more.

ENCORE Ministry's grant application deadline for this quarter is November 17. For more information and a grant application, click here. Since 2013, grants totaling over $837,000 have been given to equip TWK churches and organizations for ministry by, with, and for older adults.

Worship & Choral Accompanist (part-time), Fulton First UMC | Details, fultonfirstumc.org

Youth Pastor (part-time), Calvert City UMC | Contact via email at [email protected]

Campus Minister/Executive Director, University of Memphis Wesley Foundation, deadline to apply is Nov. 18. | Details