Lay Servant Ministries

Update [3/17/2020]:  This event has been postponed due to the COVID-19 circumstances & associated health concerns.  Any registration fees paid will be either refunded or given credit for the classes to be rescheduled later in the year.

Wednesdays, April 1-29, 2020 (7:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

Sherman Oaks UMC, 14401 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadlines: $35 through March 26, 2020. Childcare is not available for these classes.

Attendance is required at all sessions for credit. All those seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.

Class Options:

• BASIC Class: Instructor is Rev. Kalesita Tu’ifua, the pastor at Knollwood UMC. This class challenges Lay Servants to develop caring, leading, and communicating skills that support their church and encourage others to a deeper commitment in Christ and faithful discipleship. Participants are encouraged to discover their personal spiritual gifts and to consider the importance of servant leadership. This class is required for Certified Lay Servant status.
• Advanced Class – Spiritual Gifts and the Holy Spirit: Instructor is Rev. Garth Gilliam, the pastor at Sherman Oaks UMC. One Advanced Course is required every three years to become or retain Certified Lay Servant status.
• Advanced Class – Leading Small Groups that Transform: Instructor is Rev. Terry Van Hook, retired conference elder. One Advanced Course is required every three years to become or retain Certified Lay Servant status.

Click here for a full flyer for more information.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For questions, contact registrar Jean Castro at soumc@sbcglobal.net or 818.789.0351.

Update [3/30/2020]: In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and safety, this event has been canceled.

Friday, May 1, 2020 (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM) & Saturday, May 2, 2020 (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Victorville UMC, 15150 La Paz Dr, Victorville, CA 92395

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadlines: $40 through April 24, 2020. $45 after (cash or check only on-site). A light lunch will be provided. Childcare is not available for these classes.

About the Classes:

• Attendance is required at both sessions for credit. All those seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.
• BASIC Class in Spanish: Instructor is Rev. Carrie Cesar. Pastor Carrie serves the Victorville United Methodist Church in the East District. She is fluent in Spanish and encourages outreach to the Latino community in that area. This class challenges Lay Servants to develop caring, leading, and communicating skills that support their church and encourage others to a deeper commitment in Christ and faithful discipleship. Participants are encouraged to discover their personal spiritual gifts and to consider the importance of servant leadership.
• Advanced Class – God’s Mission, Our Journey: Instructor is Joseph Sharp, Certified Lay Servant. He is a dedicated Lay Servant who has participated in several Lay Servant classes, including most recently “Lead in Evangelism”. “God’s Mission – Our Journey” is new this past year. It is designed to provide participants with a better understanding of a holistic approach to participation in God’s mission to the world. It strives to equip Lay Servants in more effective missional engagement in their communities and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For more information, contact East District Co-Director Pat Hogan at pat.hogan2@verizon.net or 951.769.2917.

Update [3/14/2020]: This class has been re-scheduled for May 15 & 16, 2020.

Friday, March 20, 2020 (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) & Saturday, March 21, 2020 (9:00 AM – 3:30 PM)

Hope UMC of San Diego, 16550 Bernardo Heights Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92128

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadline: $30 (including lunch) through March 9, 2020. No late registrations will be allowed for this class.

About the Class:

• Attendance is required at both sessions for credit. All those  seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.
• Advanced Class – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Although this is an advanced course for Lay Speaking Ministries, it can also be used for others who desire to discover their spiritual gifts and learn how they can be used to serve God both within and beyond the local church. Through this course, you will be guided in a process for discovering, developing, and deploying God’s gifts for ministry in and through the body of Christ. By seeking to develop and use your own gifts and skills for leadership in your community, you will help people know the love God has for them. Instructors are Pam Churness and Melissa Basch. 

The class is limited to 15 participants because of the classroom size; no childcare is available.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For more information, contact the South District Office at southdistrict@calpacumc.org or 619.239.9980.

Update [3/16/2020]:  This class has been postponed and expected to be re-scheduled for May or June.

Friday, March 27, 2020 (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM) & Saturday, March 28, 2020 (9:00 AM – 4:30 PM)

St. Mark’s UMC of San Diego, 3502 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadline: $30 through March 13, 2020. No late registrations will be allowed for this class. Lunch is not provided.

About the Class:

• Attendance is required at both sessions for credit. All those seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.
• Advanced Class – Leading Prayer: Instructor is Ed Deitzler. Mr. Deitzler is a Certified Lay Minister and serves on the board and is chaplain of the National Navy Association. *Leading prayer in public can be daunting, but prayer is something one learns. This course on praying in public will help the participant grow in confidence and skill in public prayer and enrich their personal prayer life.

(*Description from 2019 Lay Servant Ministries Course Descriptions and Equipping Resources from Discipleship Ministries.)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For more information, contact the South District Office at southdistrict@calpacumc.org or 619.239.9980.

Update [3/18/2020]:  In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, this event has been postponed until further notice.

Fridays, March 27, April 3, April 17, and April 24, 2020 (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)

Harris UMC, 20 S Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadline: $25 by Monday, March 16, 2020, if you want the class instructor Winnie Ching to order your book. Otherwise, order a copy of The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation by Thomas Porter from Upper Room, Cokesbury, or Amazon.

About the Class:

• In this course, we will explore different ways of constructively resolving conflict. We all have conflict in varying degrees in our lives, whether at home, with family, at work, or in social settings. The church is no different in this regard: there are conflicts among members, within committees, and sometimes with the pastor. We all can work toward becoming more aware of ways these conflicts can be resolved and grow through the experience. Through this course, we pray that we may all be blessed as peacemakers.
• Learning Goals: At the end of this course, you will be able to
  • better understand the meaning of the term “conflict transformation”;
  • differentiate between conflict management (mandate) and conflict resolution (cooperation);
  • refine your listening skills in the hope that your knowledge and talents as leaders in the church will be increased;
  • develop new methods of looking at conflict (understanding that there may be no right or wrong viewpoint, but differing opinions that render us unable to see beyond personal opinion); and
  • more fully understand and implement the message of Matthew 18:19-20 in daily life.
• Pre-Class Assignment:  Read chapters 1 and 2 of The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation by Thomas Porter before the first session.
• If you have taken the Basic Lay Servant Class within the last three years taking this advanced class will qualify you as a Certified Lay Servant.  If you want to continue on to being a Certified Lay SPEAKER, you will need to take the following advanced classes: Preaching, Leading or Planning Worship, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, Leading Prayer, United Methodist Heritage or History and United Methodist Polity.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For more information, contact Winnie Ching at wingin322[at]yahoo.com or at 808.692.6638.

Update [3/17/2020]:  This event has been postponed due to the COVID-19 circumstances & associated health concerns.  Any registration fees paid will be either refunded or given credit for the classes to be rescheduled later in the year.

Wednesdays, April 1-29, 2020 (7:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

Sherman Oaks UMC, 14401 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadlines: $35 through March 26, 2020. Childcare is not available for these classes.

Attendance is required at all sessions for credit. All those seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.

Class Options:

• BASIC Class: Instructor is Rev. Kalesita Tu’ifua, the pastor at Knollwood UMC. This class challenges Lay Servants to develop caring, leading, and communicating skills that support their church and encourage others to a deeper commitment in Christ and faithful discipleship. Participants are encouraged to discover their personal spiritual gifts and to consider the importance of servant leadership. This class is required for Certified Lay Servant status.
• Advanced Class – Spiritual Gifts and the Holy Spirit: Instructor is Rev. Garth Gilliam, the pastor at Sherman Oaks UMC. One Advanced Course is required every three years to become or retain Certified Lay Servant status.
• Advanced Class – Leading Small Groups that Transform: Instructor is Rev. Terry Van Hook, retired conference elder. One Advanced Course is required every three years to become or retain Certified Lay Servant status.

Click here for a full flyer for more information.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For questions, contact registrar Jean Castro at soumc@sbcglobal.net or 818.789.0351.

Update [3/30/2020]: In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and safety, this event has been canceled.

Friday, May 1, 2020 (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM) & Saturday, May 2, 2020 (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Victorville UMC, 15150 La Paz Dr, Victorville, CA 92395

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cost & Deadlines: $40 through April 24, 2020. $45 after (cash or check only on-site). A light lunch will be provided. Childcare is not available for these classes.

About the Classes:

• Attendance is required at both sessions for credit. All those seeking certification or re-certification as Certified Lay Servants are invited to attend.
• BASIC Class in Spanish: Instructor is Rev. Carrie Cesar. Pastor Carrie serves the Victorville United Methodist Church in the East District. She is fluent in Spanish and encourages outreach to the Latino community in that area. This class challenges Lay Servants to develop caring, leading, and communicating skills that support their church and encourage others to a deeper commitment in Christ and faithful discipleship. Participants are encouraged to discover their personal spiritual gifts and to consider the importance of servant leadership.
• Advanced Class – God’s Mission, Our Journey: Instructor is Joseph Sharp, Certified Lay Servant. He is a dedicated Lay Servant who has participated in several Lay Servant classes, including most recently “Lead in Evangelism”. “God’s Mission – Our Journey” is new this past year. It is designed to provide participants with a better understanding of a holistic approach to participation in God’s mission to the world. It strives to equip Lay Servants in more effective missional engagement in their communities and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For more information, contact East District Co-Director Pat Hogan at pat.hogan2@verizon.net or 951.769.2917.

Updated [3/16/2020]:  In response to the current health safety efforts, this event has been cancelled. Registration fees will be reimbursed, and a new date will be announced when health concerns have been lifted.

Registration Cost: $105. The registration fee includes dinner on Friday, continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Your confirmation will include options to pay by check or online (via credit card or ACH check).

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Registration Deadline: Please register by Friday, March 6, 2020.

Schedule: The event will take place from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday, March 20, 2020 and 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020. The schedule includes times for worship, teaching, reflection in small groups, Q&A, and meals.

About Certified Lay Ministry Training: The Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) Program provides information, resources, and training for laity who feel called to leadership in ministry both within and through the local church. Each year, the program provides an Orientation (late Summer) and two focused training sessions (Fall and Spring) called Cycles. The program takes two years to complete with four Cycles in total (A-D).

About Cycle B – Sacramental Theology and Worship: This event will provide participants with historical, theological, and practical grounding for our Wesleyan traditions and contemporary understanding of the sacraments and worship. This session is intended to help lay leaders understand the why behind our particular order and elements of worship, to strengthen their efforts in planning, leading, and experiencing their own spiritual formation through corporate worship.

Local Hotels: If you are looking to stay overnight near the venue, some local area sites include:

• Extended Stay America Orange County, Orange – 1635 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA, 92867; 866.573.4235
• Travelodge Inn & Suites by Windham Anaheim on Disneyland Dr, Anaheim – 1057 W Ball Rd, Anaheim, CA, 92802; 866.573.4235
• Hilton Garden Inn, Garden Grove – 11777 Harbor Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA, 92840; 866.573.4235

Participants must make their own reservations and are responsible for the expenses. These locations are provided as a courtesy, but there are many other options available nearby. If interested, connect with possible hotel roommates by contacting Rev. Darin Arntson at darntson@calpacumc.org.

Prior to Attendance: If you are interested in becoming a candidate for Certified Lay Ministry, you are encouraged to attend one Basic and Advanced Lay Servant Ministries course prior to entering into the CLM process. Upcoming courses within Cal-Pac can be found at www.calpacumc.org/lsm.

Confirmation of Pastor’s Support: The Certified Lay Minister plays an important role in their church or community as partner and support to the local pastor. It is, therefore, important to secure the affirmation of the local pastor and enlist their commitment to invest in the CLM’s training prior to completing the certification process. When one registers for their first Cycle training event, a confirmation email will be sent to the local pastor to confirm their understanding of their mentoring role, as well as their support of the candidate in pursuit of certification.

Continuing Education Credit: Cycle B may be used for continuing education credit for Certified Lay Ministers who did not attend Cycle B in 2018. The course must be attended in its entirety for credit to be approved by the Associate Director of Leadership Rev. Darin Arntson. All CLMs must complete one continuing education course every two years in order to maintain their certified status.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE NOW

For questions, contact Rev. Darin Arntson (darntson@calpacumc.org, 626.568.7350), or Connectional Ministries staff Marissa Wells (mwells@calpacumc.org, 626.568.7371).