NEWS AND EVENTS:
UALM slot at GA meetings a success!
Nearly 50 people came to the UALM slot at the GA meetings in Nottingham, which was organised by Chrissie Wilkie, UALM committee member. Thank you to everyone who attended - both UALM members and interested others. The following report appeared in the next morning's GAZette, courtesy of Kate Faiers. Unfortunately, it was unattributed, but we hope she won't mind us reproducing it here."Members of the Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry (UALM, formerly UALL) showed how the UALM is supporting those members of congregations that are stepping up to take on lay ministry responsibilities. Many congregations are not able to find or support a full time minister and encouraging spiritual leadership from within the congregation can be greatly enhanced if there is support from groups like the UALM.
One term that was presented 'communitarian' - defined as a member of a community - seemed to sum up the roles played by these volunteers. They minister to their communities through leading worship, giving pastoral care or holding rites of passage ceremonies. All members of a congregation have a role to play in the life of the chapel community and 'ministry' can mean many things beyond leading worship services.
Iain Brown is an untrained lay preacher and 'worship schedule organiser' in Glasgow. With ten lay leaders in the city, Mr Brown could see the need for a collegiate group of worship leaders to see to the spiritual care of the congregation. He intended this trial to be an example for other communities considering a similar route. He offered some tips on this approach: - Establish a protocol on how to work together - Plan how to act as a supporting team should a minister be appointed in the future - Plan ahead and remember ministers are thin on the ground in the summer! He concluded that lay ministry could be seen as even more important to a congregation than professional ministers because lay leaders are likely to be long-term members of the congregation, whereas ministers have the option to move on. After many years of 'rogue preaching', Mr Brown has decided to attend lay preacher training.
David Buckley is a Lay Person in Charge in Liverpool and has seen his congregation grow steadily. However, he warns that it can be a lonely role. For him, the UALM has provided vital support while in the role.
Martin Gienke shared his love of a peripatetic existence as a lay leader leading monthly services at Bury St Edmunds, whilst travelling the country to lead services in other congregations. 'It's easy to get rid of a lay preacher like me if you don't like them,' he says, 'just don't invite them back!'
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Dawn Buckle, Chair of the Education & Training Commission, and the Joined Up Education Panel, spoke about the Worship Studies Course, and the support provided by both bodies (JUEP and UALM) to lay worship leaders.
Sue Woolley shared her journey into lay leadership with us by remembering a time when she was asked to officiate at a funeral, and found helpful information from both ministers and UALL (as it was then called) members.
There were several lively testimonials from the floor demonstrating the power of lay ministry.