John Hall, Conference Lay Leader, and Matthew Wong, Conference Youth President, welcomed the laity to the Laity Executive Session and introduced the youth-led worship musicians, accompanied by Danny Peck. Jenna Self, Conference Youth Treasurer, led the scripture lesson on serving joyfully based on Isaiah 6:8.

Hall introduced the Conference Board of Laity and the Lay Servant Ministries Team. He also asked for a moment of silence to honor Ann Davis and Ken Ripley, lay leaders who passed away this year. Christine Dodson, Conference Treasurer, gave an overview of what to expect at Annual Conference.

Three laypersons presented on ministries that Serve Joyfully. Lindsay Roberts shared about the Come Again ministry in New Bern, a dementia respite program, made possible by a partnership between Trinity UMC and Centenary UMC. Bill Kessinger, Church Council Chair at Littleton UMC, shared how his small church uses the One Board Model to serve joyfully and connect with other area churches for bible study and outreach. Doug Chavis of Chavis Construction Company, a layperson at Branch Street UMC, serves joyfully in his work every day of the week and shares about Christ while renovating homes. Hall asked the laity to share with one another where they see themselves in these stories and invited them to share their serving joyfully stories with the Conference.

The session concluded with more youth-led worship and the official United Methodist Youth benediction.

Article written by Laura Dallas
Photo by Chris Daniel