Bishop Hopkins' Instructions for Lent
As we begin a forty-day journey into Lent on Ash Wednesday, Bishop John L. Hopkins gives us four key instructions for the journey.
Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development programs already available within the United Methodist Connection. Through this system of equipping and empowering, lay servants have the opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ who then go and make other disciples. See the forms and resources below for more information on the Lay Servant Certification Process, including requirements to become a Certified Lay Speaker.
All Lay Servants must submit a report of their ministry activities at their Church/Charge Conference.
In 2016 the General Conference of The United Methodist Church approved legislation to change paragraphs related to Lay Servant Ministries and Certified Lay Ministry to bring about clarity, consistency, and collaboration. The adopted legislation streamlines and simplifies the processes for people to become certified lay servants, certified lay speakers, and certified lay ministers. This will bring the number of categories to three: certified lay servant, certified lay speaker, and certified lay minister. These changes are reflected in the new brochure. Click to download.
The Lay Servant Academy is a comprehensive developmental program for laity that helps people identify their calls to ministry and develop skills in caring, leading and communicating ministries. It is often the turning point for lay people who are seeking to offer significant service to both church and community. Training sessions are held throughout the conference. If you feel called to serve your church in a more formal leadership position, we hope you’ll join the 600+ Lay Servants in our conference.
You may participate in any District’s Academy, regardless of what District in which you currently reside or are a member.
For course and more information about each Lay Academy, please click on the name of the Academy below…
Lake South Spring Lay Academy – Saturdays, March 5 &12
9:00 AM- 3:00 PM, Via Zoom and Phone; Registration $10
Prairie Central Spring Lay Academy – Sundays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 & April 3
2:00 - 5:00 PM, First UMC, 155 S. Main Street, Lombard IL; Cost $40
Prairie South Spring Lay Academy – Sundays & Wednesdays, March 13, 16, 20 & 23
Sundays 1:00 - 4:00 PM & Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Via Zoom; Registration $20
Prairie North Spring Lay Academy – Saturday & Sunday, April 2 & 3
Saturday 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM, Sunday 1:00- 4:30 PM, Beth Eden UMC, 3201 Huffman Blvd, Rockford, IL; Registration $30
Conference Director of Lay Servants: Peggy Hansen prhisu71@att.net
Lake North Director: TBD
Lake South District Director: Irma Clark irmklarc@aol.com
Prairie Central District Director: Rae Kipper rmk2028@comcast.net
Prairie North District Director: Steve Schiller schiller815@gmail.com
Prairie South Director: TBD
Lay Missioner: Ramiro Rodriguez amor.de.dios3143@gmail.com 773.972.3143
CLM Representative: Walton Davis, Jr. waltondavisjr@aol.com 773.485.3811
As we begin a forty-day journey into Lent on Ash Wednesday, Bishop John L. Hopkins gives us four key instructions for the journey.
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