Say hello to eight new Local Church Lay Servants

Front row, left to right:  Ray Stenstrom, Leonard Fuchs (updated as a Local Church Lay Servant), Janeal Brinckman.

Back row, left to right:  Rev. Michael Anderson (Instructor), Rob Sanders, Jackie Ross, Vicky Schram, Laurie Lineberry, Edgar  Vergara, Eva Mae Dummitt.

Congratulations, and welcome to the ranks of Local Church Lay Servants! They completed their course at Gila Mountain UMC on January 19, 2008.

Also at Gila Mountain on January 19th, two Certified Lay Servants renewed their certifications, and one new Lay Servant was Certified after completing the Advanced Course, "Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts":

From left to right, they are:  Rev. Jim Wiltbank (Instructor), Teri Calvin (newly certified), Sherrill Severe, and Rev. Richard Swanson. Welcome, and go with God in your service to Him!

Congratulations to a history-making group!

These Lay Members are the first Tongans in the United Methodist Church to complete an Advanced Lay Speaking course! On February 16, 2008, they completed the course, "Lay Speakers Teach Bible Study" at Trinity United Methodist Church in Phoenix. The course was translated and taught in the Tongan language by Rev. Dr. Siliveinusi Tiueti, a Professor at Claremont Seminary.

Back row, L-R: Tupou Pilate, Dietmar Tongia, Pousima Mohulamu, Sione Kaipelea, Semiosi Fetokai, Kisaea Finau, Saita Fakatava, Meleane Mohulamu, Palei Ika, Kalesita 'Otukolo, Vaimoana Tangulu, Elisiva 'Anau, Kamipeli 'Otukolo, Olivia Morgan.

Seated, L-R: Hinganepia Fakatva, Tevita Tofavaha, Rev. Timote Piukala (Pastor), Rev. Gary Kennedy (Central West District Superintendent), Len Hilder (Central West District Director of Lay Speaking), Rev. Dr. Siliveinusi Tiueti (Instructor).

Seated, front: Vivili He-Lotu Vaiaku.

Our best wishes go out to these newly Certified Lay Speakers as they pursue their roles in answer to the Lord's call within their communities and the United Methodist Church.

Three Lay Speaking classes were conducted at Shepherd of the Valley UMC on March 7th and 8th:

A Basic Lay Speaking class

From left to right: Marshall Oaks, Betty Oshiro, Frances Solanki, and Harold Valora (Instrructor). Congratulations to our newest Local Church Lay Speakers!

A Basic Refresher class

From left to right: Jean Cheney, Carol Hilder (Instructor), and Margaret Chittenden. Congratulations, ladies!

An Advanced class, "Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups"

From left to right: Russell Fischer, Ray Stenstrom, Toni Berg, Rev. Richard Swanson, Janice Coleman, Nancy Valora, and Richard Blakely.

Kneeling in front: Rev. Jean Newell (Instructor).

Congratulations to all, especially Toni Berg, Ray Stenstrom, and Nancy Valora as newly Certified Lay Speakers.

A Basic Lay Speaking Course was conducted at Epworth United Methodist Church on April 25-26, 2008 for a class of 10 Hispanic students. The course was taught in the Spanish language by Mr. Bill Price from Prescott United Methodist Church:

Back row, left-to-right: 

David Trujillo, Rev. Saul Montiel (Pastor), Adrian Quiroz, Estanislao Valenzuela, Bill Price (Instructor), and Andres Hernandez.

Front row, left-to-right:

Araceli Osorio, Patricia Montiel, Miriam Sanchez, Irma Lomeli, Bernice Montiel, and Aurelia Hernandez.

They enjoyed their course so much they all want to take an Advanced Course, perhaps in the fall. Congratulations to all!