Photo: Participants and leaders in the Lay Speaking Retreat recently held at Storm Mountain Center. Photo courtesy of Deb Kjerstad. 

“This is one of the better workshops on lay servant ministries I have attended. I really appreciated the cross section of people involved both in leadership and participants,” said one participant at the Lay Speaking Retreat.  The first ever Lay Speaking Retreat was held August 19-21 at Storm Mountain Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. There were 23 participants from all across North and South Dakota.

The leaders of the retreat included: Rev. Clay Lundberg, Burke / Herrick / Jamison, NE UMC; Rev. Karl Watkins, retired, Rev. Steve Behrens, Steele/Tuttle/Robinson UMC; Rev. Sharla McCaskell, Rapid City Knollwood Heigthts UMC.  Deb Kjerstad, director of leadership development, coordinated the event.

“It was such a great cross section of participants from the conference,” said Kjerstad.  “Partcipants  and leaders had a wide-range of experience. Everyone contributed, supported and learned from one other.” 

Carol Olson, Clear Lake UMC and Joanne Singrey-Johnson, Watertown First UMC had attended a similar retreat in the Minnesota Conference and brought back several ideas. Olson and Singrey-Johnson helped to organize and coordinate the event in the Dakotas for laity.

The format for the retreat included worship, fellowship and learning. Participants arrived on Friday evening beginning with a time for fellowship. Saturday and Sunday leaders provided information, examples and also a time for each participant to preach. Those in attendance spent time giving each other feedback.

Participants commented on how great the event was in evaluations. “A good class for lay speaking.” “I felt this format was one of the best.”  “The people made the retreat and everyone was committed.”

The success of the first retreat has created a synergy for planning the next one. Providing opportunities for various skill and experience levels will be considered as workshops and retreats are planned and organized in the future.

“Many new friendships were made and the camp setting made it a spirit-filled weekend,” said Kjerstad.  “I am so grateful for the people that came to support this new venture and have given us such great feedback so we can make the future retreats inspiring and fulfilling.”