Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

08/20/2026

https://www.wymt.com/2026/08/19/discover-camc-brings-volunteers-clay-county-week-service/

The work extends beyond the church walls. The team is building greenhouses to address the rising cost of food.

08/17/2026

I join our Lexington community in grieving following Saturday’s shooting at Charles Young Park that took the life of 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson and injured four others, including two children.

What should have been a time of community and celebration became a scene of violence and fear. We mourn with Di’Zhon’s family and all who loved him. We pray for those who were injured and for everyone whose sense of safety was shaken by what happened.

We cannot allow ourselves to become accustomed to the loss of young lives through violence. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. That calling asks us to care for those who are hurting and to stand alongside our neighbors. It also challenges us to consider how we can help create communities where children and families can gather without fear.

I invite United Methodists across Kentucky to join me in prayer for all those affected by this tragedy. May we surround the Lexington community with our love and support. And may we ask God to show us how we can be instruments of Christ’s peace wherever we are.

Grace and peace,

Bishop David Graves
Kentucky Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church

07/29/2026

What if God is already calling you?
Called Up is a free weekend retreat for high school students (entering grades 9–12) who want to grow in their faith, build new friendships, and discover how God is already at work in their lives.

📅 August 21–23
📍 Aldersgate Camp
💲 FREE

Registration includes meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast, but space is limited.

Register today by visiting:
https://kyumc-reg.brtapp.com/CalledUpYouthRetreat

07/11/2026

Today we remember Clara Ester — a devoted United Methodist leader, deaconess, civil rights advocate, and cherished friend.

Clara's life was marked by courage, conviction, and a deep commitment to loving others. She challenged people to grow, built bridges across differences, and touched countless lives along the way.

In a heartfelt reflection, Bishop David Graves shares how a friendship that began with skepticism grew into deep love and mutual respect. Through their relationship, Clara helped shape him as a Christian, a leader, and a person.

Her story is a powerful reminder that even in a divided world, love can still find a way.

We invite you to read Bishop Graves's tribute and celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Clara Ester. https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/19908475

06/30/2026

When disaster strikes, the work of the Church is just beginning.

As communities across Kentucky recover from recent flooding, the Kentucky Conference Disaster Response Ministry is assessing needs, coordinating with local churches and community partners, and preparing to respond in the days and weeks ahead.

If you'd like to help, there are several ways to get involved:
• Give through UMCOR or the Kentucky Conference Disaster Relief Fund
• Assemble cleaning kits or hygiene kits
• Donate Walmart, Lowe's, or Home Depot gift cards
• Volunteer or learn about Early Response Team training
• Help your church prepare for future disasters

Visit our flood response page to learn more and find the resources you need:
https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/how-to-respond-to-kentucky-flooding-19893391

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your commitment to being the hands and feet of Christ for our neighbors in need.

06/29/2026

Join us in prayer for people in Kentucky and Tennessee who were impacted by severe flash flooding over the weekend. We pray especially for the families and loved ones of the five people who lost their lives in the floodwaters, and for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

In response, UMCOR has awarded a solidarity grant to the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, which will support their immediate relief efforts to those in need, including debris removal, Early Response Team deployment, distribution of relief supplies, and more.

Looking for a way to help?
🛐 Join us in prayer for people impacted, especially those who lost loved ones and homes.
🤲 Give to support our U.S. relief and recovery efforts: https://bit.ly/umcorusdr.
🦺 Explore ERT volunteer opportunities through your local annual conference.
📲 Share this post to encourage others to pray and give.

06/29/2026

A Call to Prayer from Bishop David Graves:

Many of us have spent the last few days watching the heartbreaking news of devastating flooding across Kentucky. We grieve the lives that have been lost, and our hearts are with the families and communities now facing unimaginable loss and uncertainty.

As followers of Christ, our first response is prayer.

Please join me in praying for those who are mourning the loss of loved ones, for those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected, and for the first responders, emergency personnel, and volunteers serving communities in the midst of this disaster. May those who are grieving know the promise of Jesus: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Our Kentucky Conference Disaster Response Ministry is already in contact with local leaders to assess needs and determine how we can best respond. In the days ahead, we will share opportunities for churches and individuals to offer support through prayer, service, and generosity.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2). As the people of the Kentucky Conference, may we live into that calling with compassion, generosity, and hope.

Thank you for keeping our neighbors in your prayers.

06/19/2026

On Juneteenth, we remember both a painful chapter in our nation’s history and the enduring hope that every person is created in God’s image and worthy of dignity, justice, and belonging.

The church is at its best when every person is welcomed, valued, and empowered to share their gifts. That vision is at the heart of what many have described as the Beloved Community.

The quote featured in this graphic comes from Rev. Maikel Rojas of Buechel United Methodist Church during a recent Kentucky Conference Commission on Religion and Race conversation about God’s Beloved Community.

Watch for more voices and perspectives from across the Kentucky Conference as we continue exploring what it means to build God’s Beloved Community together.

06/16/2026

Safe ministry doesn't happen by accident.

Our new online Safer Sanctuaries Training helps staff and volunteers understand the Kentucky Conference's requirements for screening, supervision, reporting, and response.

Learn more and access the training:

A new online Safer Sanctuaries Training is now available to help Kentucky Conference churches equip staff and volunteers for ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The self-paced training provides practical guidance on the conference's policy requirements for screening, supervision, r...

06/11/2026

Women lead churches, preach the gospel, disciple new believers, serve as chaplains, teach in seminaries, and help shape the future of The United Methodist Church.

At the Kentucky Annual Conference, we celebrated 70 years of ordination rights for women and honored the generations of women whose faithfulness and leadership have strengthened the church.

Read the story and watch the recognition. https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/70-years-of-clergy-women-19831888