Serving with Grace

at New Unity

Based on the book by Rev Erik Wikstrom, this workshop will explore what he describes as ‘lay leadership as a spiritual practice.’ We will look at his transformative vision of volunteering with a congregation as a growth opportunity rather than an obligation, examining how committee work and volunteer service can nurture personal development through self-awareness, compassion, and collaboration. Participants will discover practical strategies for reframing lay leadership—from board service to event planning.

 From the book:
“Imagine if the practical and administrative work of the church–meetings, planning, teaching, etc.–was understood not as a necessary evil but as an integral part of the mission of the church to spiritually nurture us. What if lay leadership was not a means to an end but an end in itself? Could you experience the meeting room as a [Buddhist] zendo and the deliberations of a task force as a form of group prayer? Imagine church not as a place led by a few overly taxed people but one where leadership is a broadly shared ministry that members of the community undertake for the deep joy of it.”

 Feel free to join for lunch afterwords for informal discussion; either bring something or pick up something from one of the nearby restaurants.