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Prairie South Lay Academy

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.

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News & Announcements

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In Sympathy: James Wilson

Rev. James M. Wilson, a member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025.

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In Sympathy: Fernando Siaba

Rev. Fernando Siaba, a member of the Northern Illinois Conference, died on October 6, 2025.

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