{"id":9726,"date":"2015-02-24T11:51:52","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T19:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=9726"},"modified":"2015-02-24T13:38:57","modified_gmt":"2015-02-24T21:38:57","slug":"journeys-you-are-not-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/journeys-you-are-not-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"Journeys: You Are Not Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Journeys: You Are Not Alone<\/strong>
\nBy Joan Holms<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you ever…<\/h2>\n

taken on a task that seemed so monumental that you had no idea how you would accomplish it? At some time in our lives, we all find ourselves in that position. Whether we are a student with a heavy class load, an employee with an overflowing inbox, a parent balancing family and work obligations… we each have times and places in which we find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the load on our shoulders. How does one manage these times?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

One of my goals when first elected to serve this Conference as lay leader was to somehow connect with as many of our local churches as possible, primarily through the local church lay leaders. I began by visiting churches in my area, often traveling outside my district, to worship in local churches and meet the lay leaders. But I soon realized this was not accomplishing much. I was not able to spend the time necessary to really get to know the individuals and churches I visited in the short time available. Yet I knew it was important to somehow connect with folks across the conference and support their ministry. Then I realized the answer had been in front of me all along. I didn\u2019t have to do it all. I was not alone.<\/p>\n

\"PNWUMC
PNWUMC Associate Lay Leader, Dave Reinholz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In November, Associate Conference Lay leader David Reinholz and I had the great pleasure of spending the day with our district lay leaders. Here is a group of leaders who possess a passion for the ministry of the laity and are eager to promote and support that work. It occurred to me that I do not need to connect with each local church lay leader because these district lay leaders are poised to do just that. Some of them were available to attend charge conferences so you may have met them there. Some are planning training sessions at district events. Others are exploring innovative ways of connecting with the local church leaders in their district. Utilizing their variety of gifts and working closely with the District Superintendent, they are discovering new ways to support lay leaders in local churches.<\/p>\n

\"Various
Various Lay Leaders meet at the 2013 Pacific Northwest Conference Sessions in Wenatchee, Wash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I give thanks for these gifted individuals and the work they do in supporting the laity of this conference. Please hold them in your prayers as they hold you in theirs.<\/p>\n