Who should attend Lay Speaking Training?

EVERYONE in the church should seek to attend Lay Speaking Training. Attending the training does not obligate anyone to any particular action later. However, attending the training will offer the attendee to learn more about our church and the minisistries we are involved in and to explore the attendee's call to do God's work. In addition attendees will get to meet other persons from our churches and to hear about work that might be compatible with their churches. EVERYONE who attends will be encouraged and uplifted and that is worth attending in and of itself!

What are Lay Speakers?

Lay Speakers are persons who have been trained and certified to preach, to lead worship services, and to lead in other services and/or ministries within our churches. They are lay persons (ie, not clergy) who are not appointed to pastoral ministry and who are unpaid, though churches often give them love-offerings for their services.

How do I become a Lay Speaker?

Persons who wish to explore Lay Speaking ministries should talk with their pastor and should then attend the next available Lay Speaking training that our District periodically provides. Generally the training is one day in length (usually a Saturday) and is provided on a rotating basis between the Covington and Staunton areas. Certification is not automatic. After successfully completing the basic training course a person who feels God is calling them to this ministry must ask for an application for certification from their pastor or Pastor/Parish Relations Committee Chaiperson (PPRC). After filling out the application the applicant turns the form into the PPRC and will be interviewed by the PPR to determine whether to recommend the person's certification. If recommended by the PPR the application is forwarded to the church's Annual Charge Conference for certification (or rejection) of the application. The Annual Charge Conference forwards the application to the District Committee on Lay Leadership who interview the applicant and determine whether to certify them or not. There are two levels of certification. Persons who have attended the basic training are elligible to apply to become a "Local Lay Speaker." A Local Lay Speaker is certified to preach within their home church or charge only. After having been a Local Lay Speaker for at least one year they may elect to attend an advanced Lay Speaking course. Many courses are available and the Lay Speaker may chose the course that best suits their God-given gifts in preaching. After successfully completing at least one advanced course the Local Lay Speaker may apply to be certified as a "Certified Lay Speaker." This is a misnomer as both Local Lay Speakers and Certified Lay Speakers must be certified! Certified Lay Speakers may preach anywhere within the Virginia Annual Conference geographic boundaries. Please note that all Lay Speakers must keep their training current and must reapply for certification and provide a written report on their Lay Speaking ministries for that year every year to their Annual Charge Conference in order to remain certified! Additionally they must renew their training at least once every three years.

What is the difference between a Lay Speaker and a Lay Leader?

As inidicated in the previous paragraph Lay Speakers are certified to preach either in their home church or charge or within the entire Annual Conference area. Although the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church strongly recommends all Lay Leaders also be Lay Speakers it isn't mandatory. Thus a church's Lay Leader may or may NOT be a Lay Speaker. Likewise, being a Lay Speaker doesn't mean one is the church's Lay Leader (or Assistant Lay Leader for churches that have them). Put in simplest terms our churches' Lay Leaders are the unpaid associate pastors for the church with primary emphasis upon pastoral care ministries. Because our pastors serve by appointment our Lay Leaders serve as the point of continuity in pastoral ministry in our churches. They meet with the pastor at least weekly to discuss the life of the church and to keep the pastor appraised of the spiritual and temporal well-being of the congregation. The Lay Leader serves as the model of Christian leadership, discipleship, and service within the life of the local church and is THE go-to person. They routinely visit the sick and home-bound and keep the pastor appraised of who she or he needs the pastor's visit. Naturally, the Lay Leader, as is the pastor, is a de-facto member of EVERY committee in the church (as is the pastor) except the Trustees (unless voted in as a member) with voice and vote. Being a Lay Speaker does not qualify a person to preach - hence the Book of Discipline's admonition. Nor does being a Lay Speaker qualify one to be the Lay Leader.

Lay Speakers normally assist the pastor in leading worship and lead worship in the pastor's absence (where there is no paid associate pastor). Whereas the Lay Leader is a de-facto member of committees Lay Speakers are only members of committees to which they have been voted or assigned by virtue of serving as ministry leaders. While Lay Speakers may be assigned to pastoral ministry functions the Lay Leader always holds this primary responsibility. Again, ideally the Lay Leader is also a Lay Speaker!

When and where do Lay Speakers preach?

There are generally three times when Lay Speakers are called upon to preach. The first is found in multi-point charges (a collection of two or more churches that are served by one pastor) where Lay Speakers may be called to preach at the churches on the charge the pastor will not be preaching at each Sunday. For instance, if the pastor preaches at two of three churches each week a Lay Speaker would provide the preaching in the third church. Usually these opportunities are served by Lay Speakers from within that particular church or charge. The second time a Lay Speaker might be called upon to preach is when a pastor is going to be absent from the pulpit. The normal procedure in such a case is that the pastor informs the PPRC the pastor will not be able to be in the pulpit for a period of time. The PPRC will then determine whether to ask a Lay Speaker from the local church to preach or to call the District Lay Speaking Ministries Coordinator to ask for a Lay Speaker (in this case it will be a Certified Lay Speaker). The District Lay Speaking Ministries Coordinator will provide a Lay Speaker to preach for the given period of time. The third time Lay Speakers might preach would be at special events within the church, such as revivals, retreats, training events, etc.

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2007 District Certified Lay Speakers
Approved by Charge Conferences and
District Lay Speaking Ministries Committee

WESTERN CLUSTER

*Very willing to speak

Alleghany:

Clell Clemons, Jr., 4018 Kanawha Trail, Covington, VA 24426 Ph.559-3039 CLS 2007

Callaghan Charge

Fran Arrington 788 E. Morris Hill Rd. Covington, Va. Ph. 965-3274 CLS 2005

Iron Gate Charge:

*Daniel Jones, Jr., Box 66, Selma, VA 24474 Ph. 862-1138 CLS 2005

Potts Valley Charge:

Carl Mann, 9300 Potts Creek Road, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 747-3133 CLS 2006
Instructor/Committee Member
Shannon Cox 8507 Potts Creek Road, Covington Va. 24426 Ph. 747-2363 CLS 2005

Bath Charge:

Nettie Lindsay, Rt. 1, Box 65, Hot Springs, VA 24445 Ph. 839-5054 CLS 2005
Joyce Ryder, Rt. 2, Box 430D, Hot Springs, VA 24445 Ph. 839-5265 CLS 2004

Hot Springs Charge: Ashwood

Mary Mullens, Rt. 2, Box 225D, Hot Springs, VA 24445 Ph. 962-8344 CLS 2006

Christ (Covington):

Dorothy Burks, 1410 South Howard Ave, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 962-2926 CLS 2005
Lelia May, 2132 Dressler Dr, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 965-8561 CLS 2005
*Robert McCallister, 226 E.Fudge Street, Covington, VA Ph. 962-5918 CLS 2007
Director Lay Speaking Ministries/Instructor
Winnie McCallister, 226 E, Fudge Street, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 962-5918 CLS 2006
*Sonya Milton, 115 Waller Ave. Covington, Va. 24426 Ph.962-6789 CLS 2006
James Nuckols, 113 East Madison St, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 965-9111 CLS 2004
*Jeremy Skiff 817 White Rock Gap Covington, Va. 24426 Ph. 863-4460 CLS 2007

Granbery Memorial:

Teresa Cunningham, 306 Boy’s Home Rd, Covington, Va 24426 Ph. 962-8332 CLS 2006
Jerry Morgan 101 Riverview Dr. Covington, Va. 24426 Ph. 962-3933 CLS 2006

Mount Carmel:

Paul Wright, 925 Potts Creek Rd, Covington, VA 24426 Ph: 965-0171 CLS 2004

Parrish Court:

Betty Clinedinst, 433 Winding Way, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 962-4495 CLS 2005
Elwood Cadd, 1307 Dolly Ann Drive, Covington, VA 24426 Ph. 9620026 CLS 2005

Blue Grass Charge:

Don Ferrell, P.O.Box 143, Monterey, VA 24465 Ph. 468-2174 CLS 2005

McDowell Charge:

Mariyln Blagg 780 Little Mt. Trail Doe Hill Va 24433 Ph. 396-6127 CLS 2006

West Augusta:

Gary Armstrong, 3229 Churchville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401 Ph. 337-6827 CLS 2004
James Gee, 31 Deerfield Valley Rd., West Augusta, VA 24485 Ph. 939-4500 CLS 2004
Peggy Beck, 412 Marble Valley Road, Deerfield, Va. 24432 Ph.939-4362 CLS 2005

CENTRAL CLUSTER

*Very willing to speak

Augusta Springs-Craigsville-Goshen:

St. Paul’s UMC

Claudette Wilcher, P. O. Box 382, Craigsville, VA 24430 Ph. 997-9373 CLS 2005
Donald McDonaldson, 15 Sunset Hill Ln., Swoope, VA 24479 Ph. 997-9036 CLS 2004
Wayne Conner P.O. Box 371 Goshen, Va 24439 Ph. 997-5230 CLS 2005

Calvary:

Amelia Fauber, P. O. Box 265, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 Ph. 337-1646 CLS 2004
Linda Cornelius 87 High St. Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 Ph. 337-1405

Greenville:

Rusty Arbaugh, 724 Pelham Drive, Waynesboro, VA 22980 Ph. 943-5605 CLS 2004
Lena P. Mahone, 658 Almo Chapel Rd, Spottswood, VA 24476 Ph. 377-2328 CLS 2004
Ronnie Shifflett, 65 Spitler Lane, Greenville, VA 24440 Ph. 337-4855 CLS 2004

Jollivue

Mary Farrish, 214 Montgomery Road, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph. 885-0703 CLS 2005
*Martha Reynolds 1140 Club Road, Waynesboro, VA 22980 Ph. 942-3431 CLS 2007
Program Director/Committee Member Instructor

Mint Spring:

Bill George, 641 Lee-Jackson Highway, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph. 886-6019 CLS 2004
Ronnie Earhart PO Box 44 Mint S prings, Va 24463 Ph.337-4150 CLS 2005

Sherando:

Theresa B. Hunt, 196 Backcreek Lane, Lyndhurst, VA 22952 Ph.943-4341 CLS 2005
Ronald E. Hunt, 196 Backcreek Lane, Lyndhurst, VA 22962 Ph.943-4341 CLS 2005
Jerry D. Floyd, P. O. Box 338, Lyndhurst, VA 22952 Ph.241-0433 CLS 2006
Jeffery Almarode 725 Torrey Rd. Lyndhurst, Va 22952 Ph.943-6523 CLS 2006

Mount Olivet:

Shirley Siler, 6766 S. Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578 Ph.291-2401 CLS 2004

St. John’s (Buena Vista):

Kim Austin 481 Fir Ave. Buena Vista, Va. 24416 Ph.261-1592 CLS2006
*Jane Bayne, 1 Evergreen Tree Dr, Lexington, VA 24450 Ph.463-5278 CLS 2007
Instructor/Committee Member
*Bill Crawford, 942 Glasgow Highway, Buena Vista, VA 24416 Ph.261-4201 CLS 2006
Freda Kegley, 365 Magnolia Ave., Buena Vista, VA 24416 Ph.261-3296 CLS 2006
*Susan Kelly, 2373 Sycamore Ave., Buena Vista, VA 24416 Ph.319-0745 CLS 2007
Committee Member/Instructor

Trinity:

Larry Creamer, 8 High Meadow Dr, POB 1290, Lexington, VA Ph.464-6316 CLS 2004
Jim Bolinger, 108 Gilmore Ln., Lexington, VA 24450 Ph.464-1724 CLS 2006

Beth-Horon:

Bill Hepler, 138 Windsor Lane, Buena Vista, VA 24416 Ph.258-2413 CLS 2005
Frank Lion, 130 Jeb Stuart Dr, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 Ph.291-3514 CLS 2007
*Doris Hedrick, PO Box 65, Natural Bridge Station,VA 24579 Ph.291-2146 CLS 2007
Instructor/Committee Member
Michael Pettry, 320 Wertfaulkner Hy,Natural Bridge,VA 24579 Ph.291-4712 CLS 2006

Ebenezer:

Ken Mohler,85 Walkers Creek Road, Rockbridge Baths,VA 24473Ph.348-5210 CLS 2005

Fairfield/Emory:

Earl Cash, 74 Snowy Egret Lane, Lexington, VA 24450 Ph.464-1496 CLS 2004
Olantha Robertson, P. O. Box 209, Fairfield, VA 24435 Ph.377-2475 CLS 2005

Rockbridge Charge:

Gerald L. Vaughn, 3719 S. Lee Highway, Glasgow, VA 24555 Ph.464-1564 CLS 2007

NORTHERN CLUSTER

*Very willing to speak

Bethlehem:

*Daniel M. Carter, 156 Homes Lane, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.886-1279 CLS 2006

Central (Staunton):

Benham M. Black, 212 Fraser Lane, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.886-1272 CLS 2004

Christ (Staunton):

Pauline Carr, 324 West Liberty, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.886-4389 CLS 2005
*Joel Cochran, 2455 Long Meadow Rd Waynesboro, Va Ph.363-7445 CLS 2007
Donald Fitzgerald 11 Beverly Ct. Staunton, Va. 24401 Ph.886-0362 CLS 2004
*James Myers, 2302 Davis Street, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.885-3178 CLS 2007
Mary Pysell, 16 North Lynnhaven Drive, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.886-2683 CLS 2005

Fishersville:

Deborah L. Callison 25 Flint Mt. Dr. Stuarts Draft, Va 24477 Ph.337-5220 CLS 2005
Larry Nolf, 352 Cooper Drive, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 Ph.337-2784 CLS 2006
Jacqueline D. Horton, 2220 Mosley Street, Waynesboro 22980 Ph.943-9730 CLS 2005
St. James: Frank S. Black, Jr., 60 Crestwood Drive, Churchville, VA 24421 Ph.887-9673 CLS 2004
*Michael W. Lambert, 9 Maple Drive, Verona, VA 24482 Ph.248-3463 CLS 2007
*Patsy K. Lambert , 9 Maple Drive, Verona, VA 24482 Ph.248-3463 CLS 2007

West Staunton:

Brenda Fisher, 1141 Buttermilk Spring Rd, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.885-1368 CLS 2004
*Calvin Hughes, 125 Boundary Line Ln Lexington, VA 24450 Ph.464-1038 CLS 2006
Instructor/Committee Member
Mae Brown, 6218 North Lee Hwy, Fairfield, VA 24435 Ph.377-5895 CLS 2006

Marquis Memorial:

Jewell Marshall, 920 Mt. Elliott Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.885-6213 CLS 2006

St. John’s (Staunton):

Pam Huggins, 1717 N. Augusta St, Staunton, VA. 24401 Ph.886-7263 CLS 2005
Leah Pack, 891 Blue Ridge Dr. Staunton, VA 24401 Ph.886-7889 CLS 2005

St. Paul’s (Staunton):

Kaye Vanderhoff, 375 Stover Shop Road, Staunton, VA. 24421 Ph.294-9309 CLS 2006

Glovier Memorial:

Geraldine A. Truslow 970 Windsor Rd. Waynesboro, Va. 22980 Ph.946-8095 CLS 2005

Main Street:

Harold Baldwin, 1991 Cold Springs Rd, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 Ph.337-1348 CLS 2005
Certified Lay Minister
Becky Grandle 931 Churchmans Mill Rd, Stuarts Draft 24477Ph.337-4528 CLS 2005
Chris Grandle 931 Churchmans Mill Rd, Stuarts Draft VA 24477Ph.337-4528 CLS 2004

St. Mark’s:

Michele Taylor 115 Summercrest Ave.Waynesboro, VA 22980 Ph.943-9227 CLS 2004

District Lay Speaking Ministries Committee Members

Bob McCallister: Director/Instructor 962-5918, bobband@cfw.com
Carl Mann: Lay Leader and Instructor, 747-3133, CNCPotts@aol.com
Martha Reynolds: Program Director/Instructor 932-1055
StauntonDistrictPD@vaumc.com
Doris Hedrick: Instructor 291-2146 dghedrick@earthlink.net
Jane Bayne: Instructor 463-5278 jaybee@ntelos.net
Susan Kelly:Instructor 264-0156 eddiekelly@netscape.com
Calvin Hughes: Instructor 464-1038 revonelite@adelphia.net
Rev. David Brown: Instructor 747-3421 davidbrown@ntelos.com