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.
Location: Paw Paw UMC, 370 Wiley Ave., Paw Paw, IL 61353
Dates: Saturday, September 18 and September 25
Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cost: $45/per person and participant
High school youth may attend at no cost for registration. ALL participants purchase their own textbook.
Special conditions: No food is provided by the venue. For safety's sake, participants provide their own food, drinks and snacks. Masks may be required.
Courses:
- Called to Preach - designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training and for those called upon to preach in the pastor's absence. Participant's book is "From Pew to Pulpit" #978-0-687-06660-5 or AB6660. Course is led by Chuck Dexter. This is a required course to become Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister.
- **NEW**Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution - helps deal with conflict, both healthy and unhealthy, and lay servants can be equipped and empower to help lead through these times of conflict as a time of transformation (so pertinent in today's world). Participant's book is "The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation" #978-0-8358-1026.-5 or #1026. The Upper Room cost for this textbook is $25.00. It can be purchased at about half-price from Amazon. Course is led by Bill Dunfrund, Certified Lay Speaker.
- For the Common Good formerly Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts - helps participants understand their spiritual gifts and how the church can use them to fulfill its mission and ministry. Participants will also complete a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. This is a new leader's guide, which is not available yet, so we may have to drop back to the older one. Participant's book is "Each One a Minister" #978-088177-375-0 or #DR375. Course led by Karen Newby. This is a required course to become Certified Lay Speaker or Certified Lay Minister.