Dear Spring Valley Family,

This Sunday in worship is Laity Sunday. Our Lay Leader, Cheryl Servais, has coordinated the day- you will see and hear from many of our members who serve in a variety of ways. Pat Christley, who is a certified Lay Servant, will preach. Laity Sunday is a special Sunday defined by General Conference “to celebrate the ministry of all Christians” (2016 Book of Discipline, ¶ 264.2). Laity Sunday is one way we express the core Christian conviction that all are called to participate in God’s mission to create healthy, flourishing life in the world. It is a day set aside to remember and lift up a constant reality: the priesthood and ministry of all. Every person on the planet is invited to share in God’s community of healing, love, justice, and world repair.

Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians as they love God and neighbor. As God’s people grow in grace to become “all-love” disciples in community, we gather with others and connect all to God’s saving love in Jesus Christ. We continue to lift up the vocation of all to follow the way of Jesus and lead others to him – particularly as we consider what it means to hold fast to the pattern of healthy, sound words that bring life to all our relationships.

How can you grow in your ministry? The first step is to learn your spiritual gifts. Click here to begin the process of discovery: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory/en It shouldn’t take too long- just don’t overthink! Even if you have taken an inventory before- gifts may change over time. Finding where you are gifted helps to point you to places you can serve that will be fruitful and rewarding to you. When you know your gifts, let’s find a time to sit down and discern your best opportunity! The images below are linked to several opportunities to learn more about how lay people serve in various capacities- including training.

While I am thinking about ministry of the church, mark your calendars for November 28, 7:00 p.m.: our annual Charge Conference. This is sort of the annual shareholders meeting of the church. Our Lay Leadership team will present the slate for the leadership for the years 2024-2026. It’s a meeting to celebrate all that God has done, and is doing, at Spring Valley UMC and its community this year.

Celebrating the priesthood of all believers,

Pastor Frank