Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? If so, then this is the Retreat for you!  At the Laity Discernment Retreats, we will talk about call, discernment and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways Laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

Each virtual retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed 6 weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the 6 weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

Dates (please plan to attend all 3 sessions):

• Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm

The registration link below will register you for all 3 sessions.

Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? If so, then this is the Retreat for you!  At the Laity Discernment Retreats, we will talk about call, discernment and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways Laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

Each virtual retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed 6 weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the 6 weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

Dates (please plan to attend all 3 sessions):

• Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm

The registration link below will register you for all 3 sessions.

Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? If so, then this is the Retreat for you!  At the Laity Discernment Retreats, we will talk about call, discernment and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways Laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

Each virtual retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed 6 weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the 6 weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

Dates (please plan to attend all 3 sessions):

• Monday, February 2, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
• Monday, February 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
• Monday, March 23, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm

The registration link below will register you for all 3 sessions.

Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? If so, then this is the retreat for you! 

At the Laity Discernment Retreats, we will talk about call, discernment and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

In 2024, the virtual laity discernment retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed six weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the six weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

"I would recommend a Laity Discernment Retreat to someone who is searching or has questions about how they can serve their community or their church. It can help guide them through the process, provide resources and help provide a sense of peace about what they can be doing right now." -Twila Boyd, 2019 participant

Virtual Dates (please plan to attend all three sessions):

• Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm

For more information, contact Kim LaRue at kimlarue@powellumc.org.

The 2023 Virtual Laity Discernment Retreat will hold its first session at the end of January, so be sure to register now!

At the Laity Discernment Retreat, we will talk about call, discernment, and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment, and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

The retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed six weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the six weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

Cost is $25 per person. The 2023 dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6:30-8:30pm

Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? Consider participating in next year's Laity Discernment Retreats. These retreats will help you learn about call, discernment, and what it means to be "called by our baptism." You'll learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide your journey. You'll also learn the variety of ways you can serve both in your church and community.

Each virtual retreat will consist of two 2-hour ZOOM sessions, followed by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing 6 weeks later. In the 6 weeks between sessions, you will have opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

Dates (please plan to attend all 3 sessions):
• Monday, February 2, 2026, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
• Monday, February 9, 2026, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
• Monday, March 23, 2026, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

Click here to register.

In early 2025 Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announced the creation of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team which has eight members and two ex-officio staff members from each of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences. The role of the Task Team is to listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

“Your ultimate goal is to create a new culture that is outward looking, missionally focused, spiritually grounded,” Rev. Doug Anderson, the Task Team consultant told team members at their March meeting. In his presentation to Annual Conference 2025, Anderson said, “The decision to create a new annual conference is not made by the task team, the Cabinets, or the bishop. That decision will be made by the Annual Conferences themselves in 2027.”

In Spring, 2025, the Task Team hosted 17 listening sessions attended by 254 people representing East Ohio and West Ohio staff, and laity and clergy of rural, urban, and suburban churches of various sizes across multiple geographic areas. Over the Summer of 2025, 19 work groups featuring Conference staff/leadership resource members and up to 10 clergy/laity representing both East and West Ohio were formed, with each group convened by a Task Team member.  Since that time, most of the teams have been meeting regularly. 

The Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team will meet Saturday, January 31, to share progress reports.  At that meeting Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will preview a visioning statement for the cooperative work of both conferences, which he will also share with clergy and laity during his scheduled Days in the Districts this Spring. As the work teams continue meeting in the Spring of 2026, the Task Team will create a written report and presentation to be shared at both Annual Conferences.

The Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team has an update to share with the people of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences.

In early 2025, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announced the creation of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team which has eight members and two ex-officio staff members from each of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences. The role of the Task team is to listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

This Spring, the Task Team hosted seventeen listening sessions attended by 254 people representing East Ohio and West Ohio staff, and laity, and clergy of rural, urban, and suburban churches of various sizes across multiple geographic areas. The results of these listening sessions may be found here.

In Fall, 2025, Task Team members will serve as conveners of work groups consisting of Conference staff/leadership as resource members and up to 10 clergy/laity representing both East and West Ohio. Members of the 19 groups will begin by creating a picture of what a new conference would look like in their respective area and how it would contribute to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The groups are listed here.

To learn more about the members of the Task Team and their 3-year plan, visit their webpage.

A conference lay leader is the elected leader of conference laity and has the responsibility of fostering awareness of the role of the laity both within the congregation and through their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world in achieving the mission of the Church.  The conference lay leader also enables and supports lay participation in the planning and decision-making processes of the annual conference, district, and local church in cooperation with the bishop, district superintendents, and pastors. 

Leslie Hall, West Ohio Conference Co-Lay Leader

It is my honor and privilege to be your Co-Lay Leader. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:26-40 speaks to me, specifically verses 30-31. Inspiring, partnering, serving and leading, are my responses to God’s call on my life and my work in the church. I’m a member of New Vision, The Great Miami River District, Cincinnati, OH serving as a Certified Lay Speaker, as a member of The Breakthrough Board and several committees.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, I was an active member of the Historic Ezion-Mt. Carmel UMC. From an early age I was encouraged to know, worship and serve the Lord, and I have passionately used my gifts and talents in the church. Additionally, I serve on DCOM, Lay Servant Ministry Team and Racial Justice Task Force of The Great Miami River District and was the former District Co-Lay Leader. My Conference commitments have been West Ohio Conference Episcopacy Committee and District Realignment Team. Prior to her passing, I was blessed to have shared 39 years of marriage with my wife, Angelene Jamison-Hall, PhD. Emerita, University of Cincinnati, College of Arts and Sciences, Africana Studies. Together, we have one grown daughter.

Christina Albrecht, West Ohio Conference Co-Lay Leader

I am humbled to serve as one of your co-lay leaders. I believe that it is an exciting time in West Ohio and look forward to all that is to come. I am a member and on staff at Peace United Methodist in Pickerington, Ohio as the Director of Outreach and Communications. I am passionate about ensuring the church is incarnational, not just for those currently connected, but for generations to come.   I grew up in the United Methodist Church and discerned my call as laity through the West Ohio Conference internship program. Since then, I have served various congregations in the Olentangy River District as youth and family director. I’ve served on the conference Safe Sanctuaries team, College ministry team, Leadership Development Team and led the Emerging Generations ministry team prior to becoming co-lay leader. 

My husband, Josh and I live in Canal Winchester with our son and two fur children. We love building community with neighbors, exploring outdoors, and celebrating the joys of everyday life. This is my prayer for West Ohio, that our churches may be able to celebrate what God is already doing and lean into what is yet to come.