“More Than We Can Imagine” – Ephesians 3:20-21

From June 1–4, 2025, United Methodists from across the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference (TWK) gathered at Collierville United Methodist Church for a Spirit-filled Annual Conference marked by joy, deep worship, faithful decisions, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Presiding for the first time over the TWK Annual Conference, Obispo David Graves guided the gathering with pastoral warmth and vision. The theme, “More Than We Can Imagine,” drawn from Ephesians 3:20-21, set the tone for a week filled with inspiring worship, powerful testimonies, and hopeful glimpses of the Church’s future.

Worship that Drew Us Together

Worship was at the heart of this year’s conference, featuring musicians and singers of all ages from churches and campus ministries across the region. Bishop Graves preached at opening worship and presided over a deeply moving communion service. The opening worship also included, for the first time at a TWK annual conference, the baptism of a child from a clergy family.

Each service celebrated the diverse voices of TWK’s spiritual leaders and included the sacrament of communion. We were blessed by the preaching of Rev. Sharon Karamoko, Rev. Marie King, Rev. Amanda Crice, and Rev. Carlos Uroza—each offering a unique and Spirit-led word for our shared journey.

Living Our Discipleship Priorities

Throughout the conference, TWK’s five Prioridades del discipulado served as a throughline—from worship and storytelling to Lunch & Learn sessions and reports:

  • Mental Health and Well-being – Equipping clergy, churches and leaders to flourish in the face of ministry’s demands.
  • Cultura de convocatoria – Nurturing environments where people of all ages can hear and respond to God’s calling.
  • Profesiones de fe – Reclaiming our mission to invite and welcome others into transformative faith.
  • Liderazgo espiritual – Investing in current and future faithful, bold leaders.
  • Dismantling Racism – Actively building Beloved Community where every person is seen, valued, and empowered.

These priorities didn’t just appear in presentations—they were embodied in the stories we shared, the prayers we lifted, and the commitments we reaffirmed.

Celebrating Calling and Transitions

The TWK Annual Conference affirmed and celebrated many steps in the journey of ministry, including retirement, ordination, commissioning, and licensing.

  • Twenty-three clergy retired and were recognized and then honored by the Board of Pensions at a special luncheon.
  • Clergy were welcomed through licensing, commissioning, and ordination: 6 elders (Larry M. Chitwood, John Melick, Kathryn Janel Heierman Minnis, Donna Spencer, Connor Williams, and Marie King) 5 deacons (Christy Collins Brown, Rebecca Ferne Gwynn-Dixon, Keller Hawkins, Sarah Montgomery McCain, and Wanda Spencer) and 1 associate member (Joshua Newberry) were received into full connection.
  • In addition, 6 clergy were commissioned, and 12 received local pastor licenses.

These transitions, first affirmed at the clergy session in May, were joyfully celebrated by the whole body during the Tuesday evening ordination service.

Stories of Faith That Inspire

This year, we heard remarkable stories that showed how God is indeed doing more than we can ask or imagine in every corner of our conference:

  • Diantha McLeod lifted up small-membership churches as powerful centers of grace and transformation.
  • Lucinda Sharp and Mary Ann Horner shared how St. Luke UMC in Columbia, TN, is reimagining ministry through creative outreach and renewed mission.
  • Mollie June Miller-Bachman testified to the spiritual and physical renewal of the Wesley Foundation at UT Martin—a place where healing and leadership now flourish.
  • Rev. Susan Spieth and lay delegate Jamie Lewis told of new life at Arlington UMC, now a thriving hub of ministry through diverse partnerships.
  • Revs. Connor Williams and Raynarldo Henderson shared a testimony of unity and racial reconciliation through a growing partnership between their churches in Paducah, KY.

Each story reminded us that when the Church listens to the Spirit, God moves in bold, unexpected ways.

A Spirit-Led Approach to Conference Business

The tone of the business sessions reflected the spirit of the conference—grounded, hopeful, and collaborative. Highlights during the Administrative Strategy report included positive financial reports from the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) and the Board of Pensions.

CFA proposed—and the body approved—a 10% rebate of the connectional commitment to every local church, thanks to a $809,000 year-end surplus from 2024. Additionally, the Board of Pensions announced a one-year pension holiday, relieving churches across the conference of a financial burden.

Other key actions included:

While discussions were brief, decisions were thoughtful and aimed at strengthening the mission of the Church.

Fellowship, Learning, and Hospitality

The 2025 TWK Annual Conference also offered space for joyful connection through ministry fair exhibits and informal meet-ups. Participants took time to learn and share, taking new tools and resources back to their local churches.

Special thanks go to our hosts—Collierville UMC, along with co-hosts Peace Tree UMC y Germantown UMC—for their extraordinary hospitality and faithful support.

For video recordings and photographs from the annual conference, go to twkumc.org/ac2025/media.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the witness of this annual conference is clear: the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Whether through courageous leadership, creative partnerships, or faithful everyday discipleship, we are seeing the fruit of a Church that dares to imagine—and trust—that God is doing even more than we can see.

To God be the glory, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations. Amen.