“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, Bishop 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 Discipleship Priorities served as a throughline—from worship and storytelling to Lunch & Learn sessions and reports:

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.

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:

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 and 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.

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