July – September 2025
What’s Going On?
Bishop David Graves and the TWK Cabinet team launched into the new conference year with a deep dive into living the discipleship priorities. Practicing what you preach is where all true change begins. Sanctification is a journey, and moments of deep change hold both divine punctuation marks and slow, steady steps that lead us into the beloved community God calls us to be. So…what’s going on? Here are some tiny glimpses.
What’s in a “Pause?” July is a month when we pause from holding meetings, and we set the daily “to-do” list aside. This space allows each team member, depending on their context and need, to prioritize what is most important. For some, it was time with grandchildren and travel. For others, it was caring for family members with medical and caregiving needs. Planning and reading time shifted to the forefront in July, and we all took the time to think. We are learning that this is an essential space for our effective spiritual leadership. July and December will continue to be times we proactively and intentionally choose a different pace.
Bishop Graves met with clergywomen from across the TWK in August for a wonderful time of getting to know one another and listening to the voices of these incredible leaders. We shared an engaging exercise in which we named what is “life-giving” and what is “life-draining” in the lives of our clergywomen. This experience is one way we are living into the ongoing commitment to support the sacred call of clergy women across the TWK.
A combined Cabinet Retreat with the Kentucky and Central Appalachian Missionary Conference in August brought us face-to-face with Sabbath practice, our mental health, and the need to practice discipleship in our own lives. Trish Archer led us in a 48-hour retreat that challenged us and quickened our spirits. What did it look like? Cell phones and computers set aside. Silence. Sharing. Pondering. Listening. And we made some commitments that we are currently practicing. No…it’s not perfect, but it’s better.
Three practices we are incorporating into our daily lives:
- Limiting emails and Basecamp posting to only during “business hours”
- Observing a true Sabbath day each week
- Living a “human day” each week (laundry, errands, home repairs, family needs, etc.)
Well-being is not a program; it is a lifestyle. And it is part of living out our discipleship. Jesus shared a sacred rhythm that included times away for prayer, reflection, and rest. We are following that lead. The book that undergirded our retreat work: Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by Ruth Haley Barton.
In addition to the Cabinet team’s personal practices for mental health and well-being, we provided coverage for clergy in need of renewal leave and deployed coaching resources for clergy ready to take a deeper dive into living a more balanced and healthy life.
Clergy renewal grants (up to $3,000) and Mini-Well Being grants (up to $400) are available in the TWK. Click here to learn more: https://twkumc.org/resources/
August and September were formative months for us as Billy Vaughan visited with us and facilitated deeper conversations about racism and discrimination. We name this as our “Signposts” work, and we are committed to taking new steps. What is this for? We are living into the vision of the beloved community that the Holy Spirit has encouraged us to embrace. No, it’s not perfect…but it’s better.
With the anticipated deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, Bishop Graves and Metro District Superintendent Dr. Deborah Smith held a prayer and support Zoom session with clergy currently serving in the Memphis and Shelby County area. This was followed by a Crisis Communication workshop on September 29 for the same group, led by TWK Communications Director Amy Hurd. We expect the increased law enforcement presence in Memphis to remain in place through the remainder of 2025 and possibly into the early weeks of January 2026.
We ask all of you to pray for our clergy and congregations – that we will be a clear witness of God’s presence, peace, and grace in this area of the TWK. The whole nation is watching. What if the TWK is where people bear witness to the power of the Peace of Christ throughout these weeks?
The Cabinet team of the TWK is committed to new steps in our own work that help us live and flourish as disciples who follow a resurrected Christ. We have hope and focus for the days ahead. It is a joy for us to serve and share this journey with everyone throughout the TWK.
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Vona Wilson, Assistant to the Bishop
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