New CLMs to be recognized Oct. 11
The Eastern PA Conference Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) training program is in full Zoom rotation. The Recognition Service for those CLMs certified this year will happen as a Zoom webinar on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 4 PM, delayed from the usual spring date for the ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current class, which began meeting in June, is now using Zoom video-conferencing for its sessions. And a month of seven orientation sessions for entry into the program in 2022 will begin Oct. 3, also on Zoom.
As usual, Bishop Peggy Johnson will preach at the Oct. 11 Recognition Service, which is akin to a graduation ceremony. Cabinet members will also participate during the Zoom webinar. And for the first time, each “graduate” will offer brief remarks during the ceremony.
The eight new CLMs completed the program’s requirements in late 2019. Three have ministry assignments. And Lori Reyes, of Emilie UMC, is now the first Latina CLM serving in the conference.
New Certified Lay Ministers, certified in 2020:
East District
- Carol Gibson, Bickley’s New Beginning UMC
- James Lamontagne, St. Matthew’s UMC
- Paulette McKeever, Bickley’s New Beginning UMC
- Lori Reyes, Emilie UMC
North District
- Donna deVillers, of Grace-St. Paul’s UMC
South District
- Rebecca Bennington, of Hopewell UMC
- Ross Mowery, of Evangelical UMC
West District
- Kris Pursel, of Evangelical UMC
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the current class visited Historic St. George’s UMC in Philadelphia (est. 1769) and historic Bethel AME Church in Ardmore, (est. 1895). But those visits happened virtually. The Rev. Mark Salvacion, St. George’s pastor, and Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, pastor of Bethel AME Ardmore, each hosted the class from their churches on Zoom.
The class should finish its requirements in January 2021, with the Basic Sexual Ethics course that is now rescheduled for Jan. 31. And they should be certified next spring.
“We’re doing well,” said Judy Ehninger, who coordinates the program and oversaw the first CLM class ever conducted on Zoom on Saturday, Sept. 26. “But it’s frustrating because relationships are not developing as they do when we can meet together face to face.”
The next CLM training class will begin April 1, 2021. And seven orientation sessions, required for admission to that class, will begin Oct. 3 (at 1:30 to 3:30 PM). The last will be Nov. 7. Each 2-hour orientation will be held via Zoom video-conferencing. See the full orientation schedule and other orientation details: Certified Lay Minister Program, Class of 2022: Download Schedule of Orientation Sessions
Contact Judy Ehninger, CLM Program Coordinator, for further information and to register for an Orientation Session. Email: judy.ehninger@gmail.com. Phone: 610-442-3140.