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Resources available for Laity Sunday, Oct. 21 Jan Woodard, Sep 28, 2007
By Jan Woodard Special Contributor
A ticking clock, a water pitcher, a few coins in hand and a gift waiting to be opened. These images reflect God’s call to faithful stewardship of our time, talent and treasure.
They are appropriate symbols for Laity Sunday, which this year centers on the theme, “One in Spirit, All in Ministry: In the Spirit of Stewardship.”
Many United Methodist churches will celebrate the laity in their own congregations by observing this day on Oct. 21. It offers a moment for lay people of all ages to pause and consider again their own unique calling to ministry, based on the priesthood of all believers, a scriptural portrayal of Christians valued throughout the history of Methodism.
“Each one is called to proclaim the mighty acts of God, who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light,” said Sandy Zeigler Jackson, director of Lay Leadership Development for the General Board of Discipleship.
“It’s not something that we just do; it’s about who we are as Christian stewards,” she comments on a laity Web site at www.gbod.org/laity. “Caring for our time, talent and treasure is more than giving to the church. It is more than supporting the institution. It is about building relationships and caring for community.
“It saddens me that we only take one day to lift up the ministry of the laity and that many laity do not realize that they have been gifted and called by God for service both within the church and beyond, in the community and the world,” she said.
Ideally, Ms. Jackson said, she would like to see every church think about doing something every month that lifts up the ministry of the laity, intentionally recognizing the vital leadership lay members provide to congregations and the church beyond the local level.
Along with the priestly call on every follower of Jesus, Laity Sunday also recognizes the servanthood of all believers, said Cooky Larrick, Western Pennsylvania Conference’s director of lay ministries. Ms. Larrick believes strongly in servant leadership, a concept that was modeled perfectly by Jesus when he washed the dust from his disciples’ feet .
Although lay ministries stretch far beyond speaking, in many congregations Laity Sunday is celebrated as lay people plan and participate in worship services. Ms. Larrick suggested lay members contact their pastors to encourage them to continue this observance, especially if their church has moved away from celebrating Laity Sunday at all.
GBOD makes it easy to find resources. Here are some links:
· Charles Wesley Tercentennial materials, aiding in this year’s celebration of the 300th anniversary of hymn writer Charles Wesley’s birth, found at www.wesley300.org
“Each one is called to proclaim the mighty acts of God, who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light,” said Sandy Zeigler Jackson, director of Lay Leadership Development for the General Board of Discipleship. 
