Laity Sunday is scheduled for October 17, 2021
From Martha Stokes, Conference Lay Leader
Laity Sunday is a special Sunday defined by General Conference “to celebrate the ministry of all Christians” (The Book of Discipline – 2016, ¶ 264.2). Traditionally observed on the third Sunday in October, Laity Sunday is one way we express the deep conviction that all are called to participate in God’s mission and live this calling through the ministry of the church. Ministries of the laity include lay leaders, lay servants, lay speakers, lay ministers, lay missioners, deaconesses, home missioners, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, The Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, missionary service, and so many other significant forms of ministry.
The Laity Sunday themes for this quadrennium come from 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (NRSV). In this passage we hear a call to rise up and revive God’s gift that first lived in those who have loved and passed it on to us. We hear a call to rise up and recognize and reveal the grace in Christ that destroys death and brings life. As we rise up and remain committed to sound teaching with faith and love, we also rise up and retain the good thing placed in our trust by the Holy Spirit.
The 2021 theme is Rise Up! And Revive God’s Gift (2 Timothy 1:3-7). Click here for materials from Discipleship Ministries.
Or the liturgical resources for the third Sunday are beautifully worded and may fit well with your worship plans. Click here to view.
You might also want to look at other resources following the Common Revised Lectionary for Year C, Proper 22(27) – Seventeen Sunday after Pentecost – which includes the 2 Timothy 1:1-14 passage.