See the list for 2011 certified lay speakers.

Note: This is an PDF file and may require the latest Adobe Reader on your computer. Click here to get it (it is free). 

The 2012 Conference Lay Speaking Ministries Academy will be held Feb 24-Feb 26 at the Blackstone Conference and Retreat  Center (VUMAC). Registration information is available at vaumc.org

In addition to the assortment of 18 different choices of the familiar courses found at the Lay Servant Academy, four new features will be offered.
1. 24 Mini-Courses in a wide range of specialties and interests that are designed to be appetizers for different topics to be explored by the Laity. Taking 5 classes will count this year towards advanced certification. Anyone interested can take one or more courses just for the interest in the topic.
Several courses can be explored at the first class and you can stay for the full course. For a full weekend you can take up to six classes. This format will also allow Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday participation only. Open to anyone interested in one or more topics.
2. To encourage participation and be in support of younger families or parents, there will be child care on site for infants and toddlers staffed by nearby local churches. Include the request before January 20.
3. There will be fewer speakers and general sessions. The increased time realized will be used by two different music groups playing three times during the weekend. The increased time will also be utilized for District Meetings during the day rather than the end of a full day of class work.
4. The new course “Understanding Men’s Ministry” will be offered for the first time in Virginia as an advanced lay speakers course. And as with all our classes, everyone is invited to attend, not just United Methodist Men. The guidance given in this class is easily transferrable to a person in any leadership role. Open to anyone.

The Farmville District Lay Speaking/ Servant School will be held on Saturday, March 24th, 2012, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, March 25th, 2012, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. It will be held at Mt. Laurel UMC in Clover, VA. There will be two advanced classes offered, and one Basic Course offered, all course titles yet to be determined. The notifications for renewal will go out after the first of the year to any current registered Lay Speaker needing re-credentialing during the calendar year 2012. The offered classes are fully accredited for full credentialing for either Certified Lay Speaker or Local Church Lay Speaking. Please remember that taking a class does not make or automatically update one to be a Lay Speaker/Servant. That is done through each participant submitting a Lay Speaker/Servant form to their respective local church Charge Conference. The cost for classes cover books and overhead, usually between $20 and $25 per class participant.

Don Pizzeck—434-454-7884.

Leading, Caring, Communicating: these words characterize what lay speakers do in ministry as The United Methodist Church engages the world of the 21st century!

LEADING: Lay speakers combine words and actions in leadership roles within their churches and communities.

CARING: As lay speakers combine words with deeds, they find ways to care for others. Some are involved in crisis ministries, such as visiting grieving families. Lay speakers share a ministry of caring one-on-one with people in times of need and in times of joy, and show their faith by responding to others with care--giving love and service.

COMMUNICATING: Both the Bible and Christian experience point to the importance of proclaiming God's transforming love for a broken world. Lay speakers often fill pulpits, lead Bible studies, or speak in youth and children's groups, health care centers, retirement centers, prison ministries, and more.

Lay Speaking Ministries is a program to provide training opportunities and experiences to equip disciples of Jesus Christ to realize and respond to their personal calls to ministry. Since each disciple is ‘gifted’ with one or more spiritual gifts (skills given by the Holy Spirit for the express purpose of serving the body of believers and thereby God), Lay Speaking Ministries strives to help disciples become aware of their particular gifts by offering educational events to enhance and develop the skill level necessary for the full fruition of these gifts. It is an excellent vehicle for servant ministry skill development and has aided thousands of church members to be better servants of Jesus Christ, to become stronger church family leaders, and to more capably assist their pastors.

What is a Lay Speaker?

A United Methodist Lay Speaker is a member of a local church or charge who:

• Is an active supportive member of the United Methodist Church;

• Is ready and eager to serve the Church;

• Is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church;

• Has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communications, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries;

• Is committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care-giving ministries, and spoken communication; and

• Is willing to improve his or her skills for service.

Lay Speaking Ministries offers training opportunities for laity who would like to use their witness, leadership, and service to inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. This may include the interpretation of the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church.

Local Church Lay Speakers:

• Support and minister to the local church

• Look for leadership opportunities in the local church

• Must file a report with their Charge Conference every year

• Take a refresher course every three years

Certified Lay Speakers:

• Support and minister to the local church and beyond

• Can be utilized by other congregations

• Look for leadership opportunities in the local church and beyond

• Must file a report with their Charge Conference every year

• Must take at least one Advanced Course every three years to maintain certification.

What the Discipline Says about Lay Speaking Ministries

Lay Speaking Ministries is described in numerous places in the 2008 Book of Discipline, with the main description for local church requirements being in Paragraphs 266 (p. 197) – 269 (p. 270).

*all of this information is from vaumc.org

To learn more visit our conference webpage on Lay Speaking Ministries

Don Pizzeck Director    434-454-7884 

Susie Wolf Lay Leader  434-676-8936 

Nancy Haga Lay Representative   434-392-5671 

Joan Tuck Lay Representative   434-542-5055 

Contact one of these certified lay speakers if you need a speaker. Contact our Lay Speaker Coordinator, Don Pizzeck, for more information about lay speaking. 

If you completed renewal courses  and note that you are on wrong list, please contact Lay Speaker Coordinator, Don Pizzeck. (last posted list update 8/7/10)