Dear Basic Lay Speakers,

We are trusting that this New Year finds you in the midst of God's blessings and surrounded with ministry opportunities. One opportunity that we encourage you to participate in if you haven't already is the Basic Lay Speaker Refresher Course.

As you are aware, at the 2004 General Conference Basic Lay Speakers were asked to take a course every three years to "Refresh" their status. This request was voted on and approved to become a requirement for all Basic Lay Speakers to maintain their status. As outlined in Paragraph 268 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004 the following is quoted:

"Local Church Lay Speaker - 3.  To maintain status, a report, and reapplication with recommendations must be submitted annually and a refresher course approved by the Conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries must be completed once in every three years."

We thank God for the ministry and work of our Basic Lay Speakers within the local church. The course that is being offered in each District this Spring will be What Every Leader Needs to Know About Leading Meetings - This is a series that helps laity grow in their spiritual life and in their effectiveness as a leader of a faith community. The class enables leaders to create environments for faith formation, to model Christian spiritual development grounded in the means of grace, and to equip all people to be in ministry in their daily lives. This class will help transform the heart of your meetings from business to spiritual experiences in the life of the faith community.

The Greater New Jersey Conference leadership thank you for going the extra mile to be a servant within your church. This class gives you not only resources to help you in leadership within the local church but also, the opportunity to meet together and share ideas with other Basic Lay Speakers from different churches. We are excited about the new ideas and partnerships that will be born out of this time together in Jesus name.

We join hands in prayer that new life will be brought into the local church through your passion to serve Jesus Christ as you study and are nurtured in the faith through this experience.

In His Service together,

Keith Cunningham
Naomi Walker
Conference Co-Directors of Lay Speaking Ministries

Register no later than 3 weeks prior to class start date

Fee:  $25.00, Materials and Lunch Provided (if applicable). (Make check payable to Greater NJ Conference)

Requirement: Must have taken and completed the Basic Lay Speaking Course before 2005.

Mail to:          
Lay Speaking Ministries
Greater New Jersey Conference
1001 Wickapecko Drive
Ocean, New Jersey 07712-4733
Conference Office:  877-677-2594 Toll Free

Please Note:  The Basic Lay Speakers Class should not be confused with the Basic Lay Speaker Refresher Class. The Basic Class is for laity that have never been Lay Speakers. The Basic Refresher Class is for laity who have been Basic Lay Speakers for 3 or more years.

	2008_Basic_Lay_Speaker_Refresher_Class_Information.pdf	35 K
	2008_Basic_Lay_Speaker_Refresher_Class_Registration_Form.pdf	45 K