Skip to Main Content

Fall 2023 Prairie North District Lay Academy

Location: Rockford: Beth Eden UMC, 3201 Huffman Blvd, Rockford

2023 Fall Prairie North Lay Academy Banner

Saturday, October 28  (8 am to 5 pm) and Sunday, October 29 (1 to 4:30 pm)

Rockford: Beth Eden UMC, 3201 Huffman Blvd, Rockford

Cost $25

Box lunch (Saturday only), snacks, water and coffee will be provided.

Online Registration

Class Options: (one course per academy)

  • Discover Your Spiritual Gifts: This course helps participants understand spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also learn what it means to be a spiritual leader and will be equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.
    Book: Each One a Minister by William J. Carter
  • Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition: Structured around Wesley’s “means of grace,” this study covers, among other topics, prayer, Scripture, the Lord’s Supper, and fasting – major features in John Wesley’s devotional life. Participants will learn how they can apply Wesley’s ministry to their own life.
    Book: Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition: a workbook by Steve Harper
  • Planning Worship: This builds on Leading Worship, and it is grounded in the principles and practices of worship planning.
    Book: The Worship Workshop, Creative Ways to Design Worship Together by Marcia McFee
  • Accountable Discipleship: This course focuses on the concept of the household of God, Scripture as divine revelation, Wesleyan understandings of grace, and the importance of the class leader in the development of the Methodist movement.
    Book: Accountable Discipleship by Steven W. Manskar

All books may be purchased at your favorite bookseller.
All class times must be attended to receive course credit.

QUESTIONS? Kim Emery - kkim0104@aol.com

Download the Flyer

Online Registration

News & Announcements

Reading The Bible

Read the Bible in a Year With Us

The NIC Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation is inviting individuals and congregations to read the entire Bible using a daily guide organized in what is believed to be chronologica…

Immigration Story 2025 Umnews 1200x800px

From the Bishop: Keep Practicing Hope

"I believe hope is a practice of God’s creative freedom at play in human creativity and freedom," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. "God’s word is always breaking in for good. We as the church ma…

Erie Umc Pillow Case Collage

Erie UMC Sews Comfort for Foster Children

Erie UMC volunteers recently sewed 165 cheerful pillowcases for children in foster care, partnering with Raising Hope and My GEAR Outreach. The effort blended creativity, compassion, a…

Flowers Sympathy625x400 2a417 Copy

In Sympathy: Mr. Vi Tran

Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.

Print