ECEC - Lay Workers

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Developing training and support for those employed in the life of the Church

Many Circuits are now employing Pastoral or Community Workers to share in the ministry of their congregation(s) - and we want to help!

Over recent years training Conferences have been held, seeking to combine practical training with fellowship.

The variety of work being undertaken, together with the varied experience of participants, has led to the decision to offer a distinctive work-related training scheme – the Lay Ministry Formation Scheme – and to provide other opportunities for networking and fellowship through a Retreat. The first of these was held on 24-26 January 2005.

Lay Ministry Formation Scheme

This is a work-related portfolio-based training programme which does not require participants to attend classes, but rather to meet with a mentor to discuss aspects of their work and to seek to develop areas of their ministry.

Any new Lay Workers appointed after Conference 2004 should be taking part in the course (please contact the ECEC office for further details). Those who are already in post may opt into the course, and some are continuing on from last year’s pilot project.

Official Launch: Tue 7 – Wed 8 Sept in Edgehill College.
Keynote speaker: Rev Richard Andrew, Director, York Institute for Community Theology and Course Co-ordinator, LMFS in Britain.
This was open to course participants, those considering involvement as well as their ministers and mentors.

Lay Workers’ Retreat - 'Time Out'

Time out to meet with other Lay Workers for personal development, reflection on the nature of lay ministry and Christian leadership in the Church, prayer and worship. The first Time Out was held 24-26 Jan 2005 in Glenada Conference Centre, Newcastle, Co Down.

If you are a lay worker with a Methodist Church in Ireland and are not receiving mailings from us please talk to your minister. But please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!


Edgehill Christian Education Centre 2004 © Methodist Church in Ireland