Welcome

   Hello, my name is Dottie Garrison and I am the Rappahannock River District    Director for Lay Servant Ministries.  Believe it or not, I actually volunteered for this position.  I have a wonderful team that is working with me to provide timely and meaningful lay servant training for our district.

At the 2017 Annual Conference, Bishop Lewis said her vision for the VA Conference was to be disciples of Jesus Christ who were lifelong learners that influenced others to serve.  I think that vision made me realize how important the lay servant ministry is.  Each of us is called as Methodists, as Christians, as children of God to use our gifts and talents to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  To live into our Methodist vision and that of the Bishop, we need to be lifelong learners.  That is how the Lay Servant Ministry can help you.  We provide wonderful training sessions so that you can be a lifelong learner.  These trainings have such varied topics that most ages can find something of interest.  Through training you will find an area of interest for yourself that will use your special gifts and talents to help you influence others.  It just all seems to fit together to me. 

While we love our clergy, they come to our churches and then are called to move on.  We, as laity, are the ones who remain.  It is up to us to take active roles in our churches.  It is up to us to be leaders and to be in service to our church, our community, and those with whom we come in contact.  We can spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Join me—lets learn, influence others, and serve!

Dottie Garrison

Rappahannock River District Director of Lay Servant Ministries