After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. – 1 Kings 19:12
United Methodists of Eastern PA may hear God’s still, small voice speak to their minds and hearts with new knowledge and fertile aspirations when they attend EPA’s annual Laity Academy August 4-5, at Eastern University in St. Davids. Register by July 22.
This second 2023 session follows a first workshop held online April 28-29, taught by Ruth Hendrickson on her new book Positioned.
“Life is NOISY. Life is MESSY. Life is OVERWHELMING. Can you find God in all this confusion?” asks the academy planning team, led by academy dean Diana Wrisley. “We need to declutter our lives, our emotions, our thoughts. We need to stop talking and start listening. Listen to our partners, our children, our friends, and listen for God.”
The 2023 EPA Laity Academy’s goal is to help attendees “learn about our Lord while exploring your personal ministry path.” The weekend session will focus on serenity, prayer and introspection.
The 10 courses offered—including four new courses—comprise the core Christ Servant Ministry categories of Speaking, Leading and Caring, along with the Basic Course (“The Journey Begins”) for those new to lay servant ministry. The other courses cover:
SPEAKING
- Speaking 1 & 2—“Preaching to be Heard” and “Preaching CAREfully”
LEADING
- Creation, Evolution, Intelligent Design Theory (New)
- Disciple-Making Small Groups
- Emotional Intelligence 2 – The Next Step (New)
- Servant Leadership
CARING
- Developing Christian Peer Mentoring Skills (New)
- Spirituality of Self-Care (New)
Schedule:
- FRIDAY:
- 4 PM: Registration, followed by a BYO (Bring You Own) picnic dinner.
- 7 PM-9 PM: Class time
- SATURDAY:
- 8 AM: Breakfast
- 9 AM-12 PM: Class time
- 12 PM-1:30 PM: Lunch & Program
- 1:30 PM-4:30 PM: Class time
Registration closes July 22nd.