by Dr. Alyssa Fisher, Director of Communications
photos provided by church submissions, social media, or livestream.

In October, churches across the California-Pacific Annual Conference celebrated Laity Sunday. The theme for this year was Together by Grace: Be Strong in the Spirit, coming from Ephesians 3:16. As the month began, lay leaders from each district in our conference encouraged churches to honor the gifts of their laity throughout the service. Videos invited churches to participate through having lay speakers deliver a message, thanking lay leaders in their church, or having lay members participate in service planning. Conference Lay leader Mele Maka shared the history of lay speakers beginning during the circuit rider era, when lay speakers would serve the church when a clergy person was not present. Lay leadership goes back to the very foundations of our denomination.

As laity Sunday approached, each participating church celebrated uniquely. In the North District, Santa Clarita UMC’s service featured messages and leadership from several laypersons, including CLM candidate Gary Schertz, reflecting on the collaborative spirit of the church. The church’s co-lay leaders Keir Karzin and Kristi Schertz (also lay speaker) also led the service, and Kathryn Hoar did the children’s moment. North Hollywood First UMC offered a fully lay-led worship planned by district co-lay leaders Patty and Norm Kelsey, which included welcoming 8 new members, 18 laity participating in the service, and sharing a meal of breakfast burritos and baked goods provided by Rev. Dr. Krista Givens.

In the East District, congregations celebrated the many ways lay members strengthen their churches. At Sage Granada Park UMC, members were reminded that all are laity, each a “living part of the church, shining with God’s Spirit,” by lay speaker Jaimie Hill-Cheung. Placentia UMC expressed gratitude for staff and volunteers during the service and Lay Leader Sue Lacko spoke, and at Glendora UMC, conference staff member Cathy Wilson (Associate Director of Lay and Clergy Credentialing and Development) shared a message about the power of laity as “the people” of the church. At La Habra UMC, three members (Jim Hill, Cathy Doub, and Nina Cabardo) shared stories of faith and hope for their church’s future. 

In the South District, lay speakers and leaders brought inspiration and joy. At Mesa Verde UMC, Becky Cote delivered the message while Murrieta UMC celebrated with Certified Lay Minister Susan Jeffries preaching and recognizing the many laypeople who make ministry possible, while youth helped lead songs. At Santa Ana UMC, South District Associate Lay Leader Viliami “Will” Tupou preached as the church celebrated the Spirit’s work through its members.

The Hawaii District celebrated with heartfelt participation across the islands. At Ewa Beach UMC, Certified Lay Servant Lynn Owan preached and lay leaders were blessed by the pastor during the service. Ala Lani UMC, First Tongan UMC of Hawaii, and Trinity UMC of Pearl City featured lay leaders leading worship, each taking a unique role in the service, while Aldersgate UMC extended its celebration over three Sundays as part of a stewardship focus. At Guam UMC, Karen Carpenter, one of Guam UMC’s founding lay members, spoke her witness as a faithfully servant of the church since 1973. 

In the West District, congregations highlighted the role of laity in connecting faith and community. Holman UMC welcomed Lakewood City Mayor Cassandra Chase as guest speaker, reflecting on leadership and service. At Inglewood First UMC, Carlos Rodriguez from LA Voice shared a message of faith-based justice and engagement. Crenshaw UMC heard from Conference Lay Leader Mele Maka, who spoke about the gifts and callings of laypersons in God’s mission to create a flourishing world.

In all five districts, Laity Sunday 2025 invited us to reflect on what it means to be lay witnesses, living into community and strength given to us through the Spirit. This year’s emphasis reminded us that discipleship is not an individual pursuit, but a shared life in Christ. As East District co-lay leader Diane Gin encouraged us, Laity Sunday “reminds us that every Christian shares in God’s calling to healing service and world repairing love.” To be lay disciples is to live life together as we end spiritual and physical hunger in our conference.

Special thanks to the conference Laity Council for reporting on this article.