DISCERNMENT DAY
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Larchmont UMC
1101 Jamestown Crescent, Norfolk, VA 23508
Is God nudging you to do more?
Do you think God is calling you, but you’re not sure how to answer?
By virtue of our baptisms, every Christian is called by God in a myriad of ways – as laity serving in local churches, missionaries serving abroad, meeting the needs of the local community, to the set-apart ministry of the licensed and ordained and so much more.
Discernment Day is an opportunity for you to explore your sense of call with others who are also discerning. Through prayer practices, age appropriate small groups, and topical discussion groups, you will be provided space to learn more, connect with others, and discover your next steps.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who has experienced God’s call on their lives. The event is designed for high school students and older.
How much does it cost?
Nothing! This is a free event hosted by the Board of Laity and the Board of Ordained Ministry.
What will the small groups be like?
The small groups will provide space to explore what is emerging in your head and heart throughout the event.
What will the discussion groups be like?
The discussion groups are topical forums to learn more about an area of ministry. Each group will be led by two experts on that topic. The groups will be interactive, panel and Q&A discussions.
What are the discussion groups?
Each person can choose two discussion groups to join. A complete list is found below. These groups will provide space for participants to explore different avenues for living out their call.
Called as a Youth (led by Nikki Keegan and Rev. Joel Coleman)
It is always wonderful when youth begin to ponder God’s call in their life. This track will provide an overview of the many different ways they might respond to the call, from being active laity to ordination. This discussion group is specifically designed for youth up to age 18.
Campus Ministries (led by Marie Porter and Rev. Josh McCauley)
Campus ministers serve students, faculty, and staff within both public and private higher-education settings. If you feel drawn to supporting those navigating academic life and personal growth during their college years, come explore that calling here.
Chaplaincy (led by Rev. Ned Alderman)
Chaplains provide spiritual care and support to people in specialized settings. Military chaplains serve within the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; hospital chaplains offer care in hospitals and other healthcare communities; and prison chaplains minister to incarcerated individuals. If you’ve felt a nudge toward any of these forms of chaplaincy, this discussion group is a space to explore that call.
Certified Lay Minister/Lay Servant Ministries (led Jim Grainger, John O’Grady, and Ida Nedab)
Explore the role of a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in the United Methodist Church and how it enhances the ministry of local congregations. This discussion group will provide insights into the training, responsibilities, and spiritual development involved in becoming a CLM, empowering you to offer leadership and support to your church and community.
Licensed for Ministry (led by Rev. Dr. Mikang Kim and Rev. Randy Timmerman)
Discover the path to becoming a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and how it equips individuals to lead congregations in preaching, worship, and pastoral care. This discussion group will guide participants through the responsibilities, training, and spiritual preparation required for this vital role in the church’s life.
Ministry of Laity in the Local Church (led by Kristin Fogle)
Explore the vital role of the laity in the life and leadership of the local church, from worship to service and administration. This discussion group will encourage participants to embrace their calling as lay leaders, equipping them to make a meaningful impact within their congregation and community. One way laity can serve is through Lay Servant Ministries. In this discussion group, you will learn about the process of becoming a Lay Servant.
Missions and Justice Ministries (led by Rev. Beth Anderson and Rev. Stephanie Parker)
Discover how to serve others through missions and acts of justice. This discussion group will explore ways to be active in local missions as well as the roles of deaconesses, home missioners, and missionaries. This group will highlight the unique callings, training involved in mission work and opportunities in ministries of love, justice, and service grounded in a love of God and neighbor worldwide.
The Ministry of the Deacon (led by Rev. Lisa McGehee and Rev. Jason Stanley)
Learn about the unique ministry of the deacon in the United Methodist Church, a role focused on bridging the church and the world through service, compassion, and justice. This discussion group will explore the deacon’s call to leadership, equipping participants to engage in ministries that connect worship with service and advocate for those in need.
The Ministry of the Elder (led by Rev. Randy Timmerman and Rev. Dr. Mikang Kim)
Explore the ministry of the elder, a role centered on preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and offering pastoral leadership. This discussion group will provide an overview of the elder’s responsibilities and calling, equipping participants with insights into this ordained ministry’s spiritual and practical dimensions within and beyond the local church.
Called as a Youth (led by Nikki Keegan and Rev. Joel Coleman)
It is always wonderful when youth begin to ponder God’s call in their life. This track will provide an overview of the many different ways they might respond to the call, from being active laity to ordination. This discussion group is specifically designed for youth up to age 18.
Campus Ministries (led by Marie Porter and Rev. Josh McCauley)
Campus ministers serve students, faculty, and staff within both public and private higher-education settings. If you feel drawn to supporting those navigating academic life and personal growth during their college years, come explore that calling here.
Chaplaincy (led by Rev. Ned Alderman)
Chaplains provide spiritual care and support to people in specialized settings. Military chaplains serve within the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; hospital chaplains offer care in hospitals and other healthcare communities; and prison chaplains minister to incarcerated individuals. If you’ve felt a nudge toward any of these forms of chaplaincy, this discussion group is a space to explore that call.
Certified Lay Minister/Lay Servant Ministries (led Jim Grainger, John O’Grady, and Ida Nedab)
Explore the role of a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in the United Methodist Church and how it enhances the ministry of local congregations. This discussion group will provide insights into the training, responsibilities, and spiritual development involved in becoming a CLM, empowering you to offer leadership and support to your church and community.
Licensed for Ministry (led by Rev. Dr. Mikang Kim and Rev. Randy Timmerman)
Discover the path to becoming a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and how it equips individuals to lead congregations in preaching, worship, and pastoral care. This discussion group will guide participants through the responsibilities, training, and spiritual preparation required for this vital role in the church’s life.
Ministry of Laity in the Local Church (led by Kristin Fogle)
Explore the vital role of the laity in the life and leadership of the local church, from worship to service and administration. This discussion group will encourage participants to embrace their calling as lay leaders, equipping them to make a meaningful impact within their congregation and community. One way laity can serve is through Lay Servant Ministries. In this discussion group, you will learn about the process of becoming a Lay Servant.
Missions and Justice Ministries (led by Rev. Beth Anderson and Rev. Stephanie Parker)
Discover how to serve others through missions and acts of justice. This discussion group will explore ways to be active in local missions as well as the roles of deaconesses, home missioners, and missionaries. This group will highlight the unique callings, training involved in mission work and opportunities in ministries of love, justice, and service grounded in a love of God and neighbor worldwide.
The Ministry of the Deacon (led by Rev. Lisa McGehee and Rev. Jason Stanley)
Learn about the unique ministry of the deacon in the United Methodist Church, a role focused on bridging the church and the world through service, compassion, and justice. This discussion group will explore the deacon’s call to leadership, equipping participants to engage in ministries that connect worship with service and advocate for those in need.
The Ministry of the Elder (led by Rev. Randy Timmerman and Rev. Dr. Mikang Kim)
Explore the ministry of the elder, a role centered on preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and offering pastoral leadership. This discussion group will provide an overview of the elder’s responsibilities and calling, equipping participants with insights into this ordained ministry’s spiritual and practical dimensions within and beyond the local church.
What is the schedule?
9:45 am Gathering/Registration – Community Life Center
10:00 am Welcome – Community Life Center
10:15 am Prayer Stations – Community Life Center
10:45 am Small Groups – What’s emerging for you? (45 minutes)
11:30 am Discussion Groups (45 minutes)
12:15 pm Lunch – Gym, Visit Display Tables
1:15 pm Discussion Groups (45 minutes)
2:00 pm Small Groups – What’s emerging for you? (45 minutes)
2:45 pm Next Steps – Final Blessing – B01, https://vaumc.org/discernment-day/
3:00 pm Depart
Discussion Group Descriptions
Called as a Lay Staff Member
Explore the unique calling and contributions of lay staff members in the life of the church, from administrative roles to ministry leadership. This discussion group will provide practical guidance and spiritual insights for those serving as lay staff, empowering them to support and enhance the mission of their congregation.
Called to Seminary
Explore the call to seminary, as a lay person or a candidate for ministry, to deepen your faith and ministry. This discussion group will guide participants through the pathways for theological learning and personal growth, the nuts and bolts of what seminary is and how to prepare.
Certified Lay Minister
Explore the role of a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in the United Methodist Church and how it enhances the ministry of local congregations. This discussion group will provide insights into the training, responsibilities, and spiritual development involved in becoming a CLM, empowering you to offer leadership and support to your church and community.
Missions and Justice Ministries
Ever look around at what’s happening in the world and wish you could do something about it? This discussion group will explore what it means to do justice, serve others through missions, grounded in a love of God and neighbor, and the many different ways people respond to the call of justice ministry in their communities, nation, and throughout the world.
Licensed for Ministry
Discover the path to becoming a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and how it equips individuals to lead congregations in preaching, worship, and pastoral care. This discussion group will guide participants through the responsibilities, training, and spiritual preparation required for this vital role in the church’s life.
Ministry of Laity in the Local Church
Explore the vital role of the laity in the life and leadership of the local church, from worship to service and administration. This discussion group will encourage participants to embrace their calling as lay leaders, lay servants, or lay speakers, equipping them to make a meaningful impact within their congregation and community.
New Faith Communities
Explore the exciting journey of starting new faith communities in this interactive discussion group. Together, we will discuss practical strategies, spiritual foundations, and innovative approaches to starting new faith communities.
The Ministry of the Deacon
Learn about the unique ministry of the deacon in the United Methodist Church, a role focused on bridging the church and the world through service, compassion, and justice. This discussion group will explore the deacon’s call to leadership, equipping participants to engage in ministries that connect worship with service and advocate for those in need.
The Ministry of the Elder
Explore the ministry of the elder, a role centered on preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and offering pastoral leadership. This discussion group will provide an overview of the elder’s responsibilities and calling, equipping participants with insights into this ordained ministry’s spiritual and practical dimensions within and beyond the local church.
Youth Track
This track for high school students will explore a wide exploration of the ways God may be calling, including the ministry of the laity, missions and justice ministries, and the set apart ministry of the licensed and ordained.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley, the Director for Call & Candidacy.