TWK Newsletter April 6, 2023

Bishop McAlilly's Blog Greater Things Are Yet To Be Done

The bishop reflects on gun violence and calls us to action.

Bishop McAlilly is calling on United Methodists throughout the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference to join together in a letter-writing campaign. Please write our elected officials at the state and federal levels, advocating for swift and meaningful gun reform legislation to be passed.

More information, sample letters, and links to legislators’ contact information can be found at https://twkumc.org/letters-gun-reform

Please also go to this page and let us know when you write letters – we are keeping track of TWK support for smart, effective gun laws!

News and Resources Scarritt Bennett Center | Holy Saturday Service On Saturday, April 8, from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Scarritt Bennett Center is hosting a Holy Saturday worship experience. This is a time to collectively center our hearts and minds amid this unique day in the Holy Week experience. After remembering Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, participants will pause for a funeral, a celebration of life to collectively mourn his death. There will also be silent reflection and guided meditation for those needing space to mourn the lives lost at Covenant Christian School, as well as the hundreds of others who have died due to mass shootings and violence across the country. Resources for Parents After the shocking Covenant School mass shooting, Calvary UMC in Nashville put together resources for parents responding to their children about what happened. You can find links at: https://www.calvaryumc.com/covenant. This page is being used as a gathering place for various resources and information as we navigate this trauma together. Abide in Christ Conferencewide Bible Study As we prepare our hearts and minds for the annual conference, Bishop McAlilly invites you to participate in a conference-wide Bible study, "Abide in Christ." Start gathering your group now so you can begin this after Easter! Booklet downloads are available in English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and access the study here. If you need assistance getting printed copies for a group, please contact your district office or email us at AC2023@twkumc.org. Native American Sunday Native American Ministries Sunday celebration is April 23, 2023. This offering is collected the third Sunday of Easter and funds urban ministries with Native Americans, scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist seminaries and annual conference Native American ministries. Order free special Sunday envelopes from UMCom. It is Well With My Soul--Or Is It? United Women in Faith (UWF) is hosting their annual Spiritual Growth Retreat and invites all to attend. This year's study will be presented by Pat Dunker at Fulton First UMC in the Purchase District, Saturday, April 15. Concord UMC has offered to shuttle a bus (contact Chris Spaeth 270-217-0365). For more information on the event and to RSVP, contact Pat Dunker at 562-306-8229. A $5 donation for lunch would be appreciated. Howard Olds Scholarship The Brentwood UMC Foundation is excited to offer the Howard Olds Scholarship for seminary studies. The scholarship honors the life and ministry of Senior Pastor Howard Olds and furthers the strong interest that the church and the Foundation have in supporting educational opportunities. The deadline to apply is April 15. Learn more! Celebrate the Promise On April 14 at Rocketown in downtown Nashville, Miriam's Promise is hosting its annual fundraising dinner, "Celebrate the Promise." This year's theme is "Family is a Gift that Lasts Forever." Retired TWK elder, Rev. Garry Speich, will be honored with the Robbin Holland Promise Award. Learn more and register. Keys to Living & Aging Well Cultivating Purpose & Positive Aging is a free webinar on April 25 at 11 a.m. is sponsored by AgeWell Middle Tennessee in partnership with ENCORE Ministry, GNRC Area Agency on Aging, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Jewish Family Service. The webinar features panelists: Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., D.Min, Director, ENCORE Ministry, Dori Gorman, M.Div, Chaplain, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and Gary Hauk, M.Div., D.Min., Volunteer Chaplain Maryland Farms YMCA. Register now! TWK Email Addresses to be Used for Clergy Voting Codes All ordained clergy, associate members, deaconesses, and home missioners: please activate your TWK email address as soon as possible, if you haven't already. Clergy voting codes will be sent from GNTV in May to your TWK email address for clergy and annual conference sessions. Click here for instructions on how to login into your TWK email and how to forward it to another address, if preferred. Please contact your district administrator, the bishop's office or AC2023@twkumc.org if you have questions. 2023 TWK Annual Conference The TWK Annual Conference will be on June 19-21 in Memphis, TN. For more information, please go to twkumc.org/ac2023. Registration will open the week after Easter. HOTEL: Hotel reservation information

Important Dates & Opportunities

• April | Red River District Lay Servant Trainings

• April 18 | United Methodist Men's "The Gathering" B-B-Q Feast

• April 28-29 | Caney Fork River District Lay Servant Training Event (Register)

• April 30 | Anita Padgett Music Scholarship Deadline

• April 30 | ENCORE Ministry Executive Director Application Deadline

• May 4 | National Day of Prayer

• May 5-7 | Beersheba Springs Assembly's 8th Annual Women's Retreat

• May 7 | Golden Cross Sunday

Encourage People to Stay Connected with The Vine Some United Methodists in our conference are feeling less comfortable in their home churches and may have even stopped attending. We are forming new spaces of relationship for seekers and those displaced by the loss of a local congregation. The Vine is a sacred space for them to connect with a community of faith right now. Let’s have a conversation and go from there! Learn more about how people can connect with The Vine.

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