Message from General Secretary Clifford Harris
DATE:              December 21, 2011

TO:                The Loyal Laity, Pastors, and Presiding Elders

May the joy of the Lord be yours!

As we complete the work for this calendar year allow me to share with you briefly:

1)   The first semester awards to the Graham-Webb Scholarship awardees were delivered in good order; the remaining amounts for the second semester are due to be mailed in late January or early February, 2012.  Thank you so very much to the churches and individuals who sent contributions for 2011 over the past several months (amount mailed thus for during 2011 to the  Department of Finance for deposit in the fund is $4,045.69).  Any additional contributions received will be mailed in a timely manner.  Again, thank you.

2)    We are diligently working to complete the draft for the new and revised Lay Manual by the close of the calendar year.  After completing the first draft it will be submitted to our Chair, Bishop Teresa Snorton and the Standing Committee on Lay Ministry, as well as the College of Bishops for review.  I will keep you updated on the process and the progress.

3)    Most of you know that the Pastors' Conference will be convening during the second week in January 2012.  As laity, let’s encourage and assist our pastors in attending this very beneficial conference.  Even as a lay person, if you have the opportunity to attend,  do so. I dare say that you will be strengthened and uplifted!

4)     Mrs. Jolinda Dugger, our Connectional Stewardesses president, wants Stewardesses, as well as interested pastors, to visit the Lay Ministry web site at www.c-m-e.org/core/layministry.htm  and find under the Stewardess link, the 2012 Liturgical Calendar.

Look for another communication in early or mid January, 2012.  Let’s work and grow together. . . We must make the Lay Ministry Objectives come alive and become fully engaged in providing ministry for the 21st century.

In closing, I wish you a very special, Merry Christmas.


Sincerely and in Christ I trust,

Clifford L. Harris, General Secretary
Department of Lay Ministry