News

'Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline': A District Lay Speaking Workshop, Feb. 25

Register now for the district lay speaking training, "Grow Spiritually through Daily Discipline," on Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Easter Hill United Methodist Church in Richmond, California. The training will be led by the Rev. Gaye Benson, pastor of El Sobrante United Methodist Church.   Cost of $25 includes instruction materials and lunch. Childcare is not available.   Register online here. (Pre-registration is required.)   Download...

Anne Dilenschneider Leads Transformational Leadership Course This Month in Stockton

Anne Dilenschneider returns to California in January to teach the annual CLayM pastors' course in spirituality and leadership, as she has done each year since 1999. This year she will be offering a mid-week, 11-hour (1.1 CEU credits) Transformational Leadership course for clergy and laity on Tuesday evening, January 17 (6-9 p.m.) and on Wednesday, January 18 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Grace United Methodist Church in Stockton.   Transformational Leadership is a specific philosophy of community...

Laity Day 2011: An Extraordinary Day

By Gayle Shearman and Burt Yin Conference Co-Lay Leaders Enthusiasm burst forth at "Ordinary to Extraordinary – A Day for the Laity" this past weekend (Nov. 5, 2011). More than 80 disciples gathered at the United Methodist Center in West Sacramento for a day of inspired songs, video, keynotes, and conversation focusing on where God is calling each of us to do "Extraordinary" things in our ministry and outreach.   Gayle Shearman, Conference Co-Lay Leader,...

'Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Day for the Laity'

By Burt Yin Co-Lay Leader, CA-NV Annual Conference Register Now for Nov. 5 Day for the Laity   Don't forget to register for "Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Day for the Laity" of the California-Nevada Annual Conference – Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Center in West Sacramento.    If you think your ministry is ordinary, think again – for God works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things! Come and learn about...

CLayMAway Is Just Around the Corner

Don't miss out! Fall is in the air and the next CLayMAway course is fast approaching. November is just around the corner, so apply now to attend the Conference Certified Lay Ministry program's next CLayMAway course, offered in two class blocks beginning in November (Nov. 14-18, 2011 and Jan. 16-20, 2012), at the Mercy Center in Auburn.   CLayMAway (the training with live instructors) trains lay persons for effective and expanded service in the local church and community by providing...

Making Connections: The Rock of Our Faith

By Kat Teraji (with Lisa Alva) As a 2011 lay ministry graduate, I had the opportunity to preach at the United Methodist Church of Hollister recently, when I filled in for the Rev. Ardyss Golden while she was away. Though a stranger, I felt warmly welcomed by everyone as I connected with our United Methodist neighbors to the southeast of Gilroy. I was inspired by one parishioner in particular, when she opened up and told a surprising story during the Joys and Concerns prayer time in the...

Register Now for Nov. 5 Day for the Laity

By Gayle Shearman CA-NV Annual Conference Co-Lay Leader Registration is open now for "Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Day for the Laity" of the California-Nevada Annual Conference – Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Center in West Sacramento.    God works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things! Come and learn about the ordinary people in the Bible who give us great examples of the extraordinary things all of us can do in...

Register for November 'Basic Training' for Church Administrative Leaders

Register now to attend a "Church Administrative Leaders' Basic Training with Q & A," led by Diane Knudsen, Conference Treasurer and Director of Administration, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at El Sobrante United Methodist Church. Cost of $10 includes lunch and materials.   Register here (or at www.cnumc.org/register).   For more information, contact Diane Knudsen at dianek@calnevumc.org.   El Sobrante UMC is located at 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante,...

Day for the Laity Is Planned for Nov. 5

By Gayle Shearman Co-Lay Leader, CA-NV Annual Conference  "Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Day for the Laity" will take place Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Center in West Sacramento. God works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things!   Think you are ordinary? Think again! Come celebrate the extraordinary things we can do for God.  Join with laity from across our Conference to share in developing ways of leadership and...

Special Laity Gatherings and Pre-Conference Orientations in El Camino Real District

The El Camino Real District has scheduled two special laity idea-sharing events, each to be followed by an orientation in preparation for Annual Conference Session. You are welcome to attend either or both sessions on the day and location which is better for you. The laity gatherings will take place June 4 at Los Altos United Methodist Church and June 5 in the East Bay, at Castro Valley UMC.   Mark your calendar today and register to attend the event of your choice by...

Lay Speaking Classes Scheduled on May 14 in Great Northern District

The Great Northern District is sponsoring four Lay Speaking classes – each covering a different subject – on Saturday, May 14 in the western portion of the district. The classes are not restricted to those in Great Northern, however: they are open to any and all who wish to attend.  The Coastal Region class (at Eureka UMC) is titled "Ways of Prayer: Praying Alone … Praying Together." In the Mountains Region (at Clear Lake UMC in Anderson), learn about...

Young Leaders Begin New Talbert Class

By Kathy L. Gilbert* Delilah Fakalata, a member of the California-Nevada Annual Conference's Tongan United Methodist Fellowship of Sacramento, California, has a degree in science, is working on another so she can teach, and serves as a receptionist at the church where she also is youth leader, Christian education chair, and financial secretary. And she is caretaker for an older woman with multiple sclerosis.   As if that weren't enough, Fakalata applied for and was accepted as one of...

Two Basic Lay Speaking Classes Available in April

Have you felt a call into service and wish to develop your skills and talents? The El Camino Real District School of Lay Ministries of the United Methodist Church is sponsoring two Basic Lay Speaking classes this spring – April 2 and April 9, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 729 Morse St., San Jose, CA 95126. The classes, available to all active church members, will encourage spiritual growth and provide opportunities to stretch in the fellowship of...

Upcoming Online Workshops from the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship (BeADisciple.com)

Two Online Courses Provide Re-certification Credit for Lay Speakers "Leading Worship 101 for Lay People" – http://beadisciple.com/workshops.html#Worship   (approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries)   Leading Worship 101 will focus on basic worship leadership skills for lay persons ("liturgists" or "lay readers") who assist the pastor in Christian worship. If you currently help lead worship...

Don't Miss out: There's Still Time to Register for a Doug Anderson Event!

There's still time to register for one of the Doug Anderson seminars sponsored by the Conference Congregational Vitality Committee. Anderson will be in the Sacramento area Oct. 29 and 30, with live streaming to Fallon, Redding, and Modesto. You may register online by going to the Conference website Home Page at cnumc.org and clicking on the "Registrations" tab.   Anderson is a highly regarded teacher of the simple and effective components that add vitality and direction to a...

Celebrate Laity Sunday on October 17

In our membership vows, we promise that we will support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Just what does "presence" mean? And how can we possibly transform the world through it? Laity Sunday is a special Sunday established by the General Conference to be observed on the third Sunday in October. Laity Sunday focuses on the celebration of the ministry of all lay Christians. In many local churches, Laity Sunday is observed by having lay persons lead...

Five New Ideas to Equip World-Changing Disciples

The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) offers five new ways to better equip "world-changing" disciples to revitalize our churches and our communities to continue to do the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Learn more - download flyer here....

Register by July 28 for Two-Part Transformational Leadership Course

The August Transformational Leadership course is fast approaching! This two-part, midweek (Tuesday-Wednesday) course is open to clergy and laity. It will be hosted at Nevada City United Methodist Church August 3 and 4 and August 17 and 18.   The course will teach the fundamentals of transformational leadership and include practice in strategically using these principles with real-life case studies.   Transformational Leadership faculty/consultant Anne Dilenschneider, DMin., will...

Early Bird Pricing Is Available for September Church Leadership Conference in Atlanta

Everyone engaged in ministry – clergy and laity alike – needs good positive opportunities for continuing education, and in The United Methodist Church, clergy of course are required to earn CEU credits for regular continued education. The IN Conference from Leadership Nexus is a fantastic opportunity for both! Take advantage of early bird pricing and sign up now for The IN Conference church leadership training, hosted at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, September...

Deadline Is Near for 'Disney Keys to Excellence' Event in Modesto

The deadline to register for The Disney Keys to Excellence workshop for lay and clergy is Thursday, July 15. Don't miss out on the chance to take advantage of proven Disney strategies and techniques that can help you become a stronger leader. Sign up now for the one-day Disney Institute workshop, taking place Thursday, August 12, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Centenary United Methodist Church in Modesto.   Through experiencing successful Disney processes and the organizational structure that...