The cost of the training is $15, which includes snacks and lunch. The fee can be paid in advance of February 22 by check mailed to Valley Ridge District Office (402 Second St. SW Roanoke, VA 24011) OR on the day of the training with EXACT CASH ONLY. Please complete the registration below to confirm your spot in the training day. For registration questions: contact Rev. Robin Barge at [email protected] or 540-989-3335. For questions about the training: contact Rev. Dr. Dale White at [email protected].

Course descriptions and registration below!

BASIC LAY SERVANT COURSE
Taught by Dr. Bright Lee, Evangelism Consultant, Valley Ridge District. This is the basic required course for all Lay Servants, and covers topics such as Ministry of the Laity and Servant Leadership. The required reading must be purchased and read in advance. Make sure to order the Participants book, not the Leaders book. Click to purchase: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant’s Book

ADVANCED COURSE: AUTISM AND THE CHURCH
Taught by Rev. Dr. Dale White. This is a new course based on the book Autism and the Church by Grant Macaskil. Topics that will be reviewed include: Real Autism: Characteristics and Explanations; Autism and the Bible: The Challenge of Reading Responsibly; Autism and the Body of Christ: Incarnation for the Church, and Autism in the Church: A Sensory Space for All God’s People. The required reading must be purchased and read in advance. Click to purchase: Autism and the Church DISCOUNT CODE: USE CODE BTXT for off 25% book after January 1.

ADVANCED COURSE: RACISM AND THE CHURCH
Taught by Rev. Reginald Early and CLM Gary Riley. This timely course will cover themes such as Early Black Methodism, Central Jurisdiction and Segregation in the United Methodist Church. Required preparation before class: videos and reading on Virginia Annual Conference website: https://vaumc.org/racerelationsvideos/