Northwest District Laity Newsletter - September 2023

posted on September 06

Northwest District Newsletter - September 2023
 
Hello all! Hoping that you had a fantastic Labor Day holiday and some time to fill your cup with the Holy Spirit!
Upcoming Events:
Laity Fall Meet & Greet Hybrid events - Saturday September 23 & Saturday October 21 – 10 am - 12 pm:
The Northwest District Lay Leaders would like to spend some time with you, hear about the ministry of your church and share some recent materials regarding the exciting online Absorb Learning Platform and Lay Ministry Fair/ Laity Sunday suggestions! Two hybrid fall events are scheduled – September 23 (Maryville First UMC) and October 21 (Harrisonville UMC). Both events are scheduled from 10 am – 12 noon! Please register at the following link. (Options for in person or online attendance are available!)
https://missouri-reg.brtapp.com/NorthwestDistrictLaityMeetandGreet
Looking forward to a chance to visit with you!
 
Spiritual Gifts Class - Saturday September 30 – 1-4pm NW District Office (3737 S Elizabeth St., Ste 105, Independence, MO 64057)
Spiritual gifts are sometimes considered mystifying, complicated, and hard to understand. Yet, learning about how God has uniquely equipped and gifted each of us is a step towards understanding our calling as God’s children and how we are called as kingdom workers on earth. Dr. Yvette Richards, Northwest District lay education coordinator, will teach this course.  The course is free and sign up is open until September 24!
Spiritual Gifts Class at NW District Office (moumethodist.org)
 

Each of us are created with a need to connect with others – called to be Christ-like by helping others grow their faith. Have you been looking for a way to have an open conversation with your family and friends about how they are intentionally growing their faith?  The learning cohort Multiply Impact Through Ephesians 4 Leadership offers an outline for a way to build your faith life and connection to Christ daily! Consider organizing your calendar around the following acronym and actions:
C – Connect with Christ; create that intimacy and awareness that God wants to rescue us from our sin
 
L – Learn something new daily
 
I – Invest in key relationships (those deeply close to you)
 
M – Move toward your vision/calling every day
 
B - Better your health
 
This not only is a great way to align your calendar and life by following Christ – it can also be used to open the conversation with others! This acronym is also just 1 tool that can be used to share with others about how you are doing on your own faith journey – and open the door for them to be able to share back with you as well!  Feel free to reach out to the NW District Lay Leaders if you are looking for someone to connect with using this acronym!
 
Implicit Bias Training:
In the ABSORB online learning platform, there is an Implicit Bias training course available to all.  As the back-to-school rhythms continue to unfold, this is a great time to go register and complete the course! The link to the Absorb platform follows:  https://www.moumethodist.org/absorb
 
Events to Celebrate:
Has your church had some recent events to celebrate?  Feel free to share the information to be celebrated and send via email to jaivaughn1@gmail.com!
 
As a reminder, we have four District Lay Leaders and one District Lay Education Coordinator.  Here is their contact information:
 
Lay Education Coordinator
Dr. Yvette Richards (St. James UMC)  yvetterichards310@gmail.com
District Lay Leaders
Lori Bruens (Harrisonville UMC) lbruens82@gmail.com
Bruce Hageman (Broadway-Plattsburg UMC) bruce.hageman@yahoo.com
Carla King (Centennial UMC) cking8701@gmail.com
Jai Vaughn (Good Shepherd UMC) jaivaughn1@gmail.com