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):

• Tuesday, February 2, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, 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

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. 

The 2016 General Conference lifted ¶349 and affirmed the need for a process for reflecting on one’s effectiveness in ministry and discerning God’s call for serving with excellence in whatever capacity one’s calling leads. Since February 2018, a 15-person Planning Team consisting of members of the West Ohio Conference Laity, Board of Ordained Ministry, the Appointive Cabinet, and the Office of Ministry have been developing the process for caring for this work. It is our intent to affirm one’s body of work in ministry and to create a comprehensive plan for continued excellence. Our team created a name for this work, the Reflecting, Equipping, and Flourishing Process (REF).

The scriptural foundation for this process comes from James 1:22-25 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.”

The first group to participate in the REF Process did so in September 2019 at the Nationwide Conference Center in Lewis Center, OH. The planning team listened intently to the feedback from the first group before preparing to launch the full process in 2022. 

This Event will include exploration of one’s Emotional Quotient, learning about EQ Coaching, time set aside for spiritual reflection, and opportunities to connect with fellow leaders. Scientific data and research have shown that ministry cycles shift in eight-year increments, so all participants in REF will have been in ministry for at least eight years and will begin this journey together. After the Event, there will be a six-month period of self-reflection, coaching, and personal and professional development. There will also be special consideration given for those who are looking for paths of re-tooling, returning to school, and exploring creative paths for ministry. 

The full launch will take place in February 2022. 

The Leadership Development Team of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church is excited to introduce the new Framework for Leadership, a spiritually grounded and mission-driven model designed to guide leaders in their journey of personal growth, relational leadership, and community impact.

Rooted in Wesleyan values and responsive to the evolving needs of our congregations and ministries, this framework offers a holistic approach to leadership—one that nurtures the heart, equips the mind, and strengthens the hands of those called to serve.

Three Pillars of Leadership

The Framework for Leadership is built on three interconnected pillars:

Leading Self

Cultivating spiritual depth, emotional intelligence, and personal integrity. This pillar encourages leaders to:

• Deepen their relationship with God
• Embrace lifelong learning and self-reflection
• Live out their calling with authenticity and resilience

Leading Others

Fostering healthy relationships, collaborative teams, and inclusive ministry. Leaders are called to:

• Empower and equip others for service
• Communicate with compassion and clarity
• Build trust and nurture belonging within their communities

Leading Community

Engaging the broader world with justice, mercy, and hope. This pillar inspires leaders to:

• Advocate for equity and inclusion
• Partner with others for the common good
• Lead change that reflects the love of Christ

Why This Framework Matters

In a time of transformation and renewal within the Church, this framework, modeled after a resource from the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC, provides a shared language and vision for leadership. It supports clergy, laity, and ministry teams in discerning their gifts, growing in their roles, and to lead with purpose.

How It Will Be Used

The Framework for Leadership will serve as a foundation for:

• Leadership development programs and retreats
• Clergy and lay leader training
• Coaching, mentoring, and spiritual direction
• Ministry planning and evaluation

Next Steps

In the coming months, the Leadership Development team will offer workshops, digital resources, and guided reflections to help leaders engage with the framework. We invite all who lead—formally or informally—to explore this model and consider how it can shape their leadership journey.

Together, let us lead with grace, courage, and conviction—serving God, one another, and the world.

If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Bandy at suzanne@rubberbandcreations.com

This framework was borrowed and adapted with permission from the Baltimore Washington Conference