Greetings in Christ, beloved,
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
—2 Timothy 1:6–7 (NIV)
As we prepare to gather for the 2026 Session of the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Annual Conference 에서 Murfreesboro First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129), from Sunday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 10, I want to share several important reminders and updates to help ground our journey together in prayer, preparation, and faithful leadership.
1) Clergy Executive Session
Thursday, May 28 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | In Person Only | RSVP by May 11
This year, the 성직자 임원 세션 will convene in person only on Thursday, May 28에서 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be a full-day gathering, with lunch provided및 RSVP is required(https://bit.ly/2026-clergy-session).
This session will bring together the clergy of the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Annual Conference, along with lay members of the 안수 사역 위원회, for a time of fellowship, learning, and shared leadership. Together, we will attend to the spiritual and temporal matters entrusted to us by The Book of Discipline, engaging in holy conferencing, discernment, and care for the covenant we share as clergy.
To RSVP visit our Clergy Session Form: https://bit.ly/2026-clergy-session
2) Retirement Notice
Due by Tuesday, March 3, 2026
그리고 규율의 책 reminds us that clergy who desire to retire must notify the bishop and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry in writing at least 120 days prior to the anticipated date of retirement.
If you plan to retire at the end of this conference year, your request must be submitted by Tuesday, March 3, 2026, unless a waiver is granted by the bishop and cabinet.
Please submit your request using the Change of Relationship Form: https://bit.ly/twk-clergy-request
3) Clergy in Extension Ministry
Due by Wednesday, April 8, 2026
As outlined in ¶ 344.2 of The Book of Discipline, clergy serving in extension ministries are required to maintain accountability to their charge conference, district superintendent, and the Board of Ordained Ministry by submitting an annual report.
To complete your report, please use the following form, Extension Ministry Report: https://bit.ly/twk-extension-report
In addition to the form, you must submit a written narrative reflecting on your ministerial service, vocational journey, and continued connection to the Church. This narrative offers an opportunity to share the impact of your ministry and to witness to the ways God is at work through your calling.
Timely submission is essential to remaining in good standing and fully connected to the life of the annual conference.
4) Clergy in Honorable Location
Due by Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Clergy in Honorable Location are reminded to submit the Annual Honorable Location Report in accordance with ¶ 359 (2020–2024 Book of Discipline).
This report supports your continued connection with the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Conference and provides space to reflect on your ministerial activity, spiritual growth, and engagement with the Church.
Please submit your report using the following link, Annual Honorable Location Report: https://bit.ly/twk-honorable-location
5) Clergy Presence at Clergy Session & Annual Conference
As clergy members of the Annual Conference, your presence and voice matter. Annual Conference is a sacred time for worship, accountability, and collective discernment. When we gather as a connectional body, we affirm our calling, celebrate ministry, and deliberate together on matters of faith and practice.
그리고 규율의 책 is clear regarding attendance. ¶ 602.8 (2020–2024) states:
“It is the duty of every member and all provisional members and local pastors of the annual conference to attend its sessions and furnish such reports in such form as the Discipline may require. Any such person unable to attend shall report by letter to the conference secretary, setting forth the reason for the absence. Should any ordained minister in active service be absent from the session of the annual conference without a satisfactory reason, the matter shall be referred to the Board of Ordained Ministry.”
This expectation upholds our shared accountability and the integrity of the Annual Conference.
If you are unable to attend Annual Conference or the Clergy Executive Session, please complete the Required Absence Request Form (https://bit.ly/2026-Twk-Excused-Absence). A copy will be automatically sent to your 교육구 교육감 및 주교 사무실. Please note that submission of the form does not automatically constitute approval of an excused absence.
6) Members of other Conferences serving in TWK
그리고 Book of Discipline (¶¶ 346.7 and 348) provides a pathway for ordained clergy who reside or are appointed outside the boundary of their home annual conference—including those on sabbatical leave, voluntary leave, medical leave, retirement, or appointed to extension ministries or beyond the local church—to apply for affiliate membership in the annual conference where they are serving.
If you are currently serving in the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Conference and would like to more fully share in the life of this conference through affiliate membership, you may submit a request using theChange of Relationship Form: https://bit.ly/twk-clergy-request
7) Annual Conference Reports and Resolutions
Due by Wednesday, April 8, 2026
All reports and resolutions are due on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and must be submitted in writing using the 2026 Annual Conference Report & Resolution Submission form: https://bit.ly/twk-2026-reports-resolutions. Materials received by the stated deadline will be included in the pre-conference materials, allowing clergy and lay members to engage in thoughtful review and discernment in advance of our gathering.
Please remember, resolutions that include financial requests must be presented to the 재정 및 관리 위원회 for consideration and recommendation using the required format.
We are grateful for your faithfulness and service, and we look forward to gathering together in worship, prayer, and holy conferencing as we seek God’s guidance for the life and mission of our Church.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Dr. Jefferson M. Furtado,
Cohort DS, Board of Ordained Ministry
Conference Secretary