March 9, 2022 – This past weekend lay leaders from across the diocese of Arizona came together at Chapel Rock for the Annual Lay Leadership Weekend. The event was filled with insightful workshops, plenary sessions, socializing, and spiritual rejuvenation. Our guest speaker was Rev. Canon Anthony Guillen, the Director for Ethnic Ministries and Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministry for the Episcopal Church Center. He is part of the Presiding Bishop’s staff since 2005 and presented two programs: “You don’t have to Speak Spanish to Invite Many of Us to Church,” and “Are you Ready to Grow?”
Other workshops included a deeper look at lay leadership with the Commission on Ministry, Caring and supporting each other with Bishop Jennifer Reddall and Canon Anita Braden, and a panel discussion on Arizona Success Stories. In that panel, each congregation shared their most successful event, program, ministry, or service from 2021. It was wonderful to see so many lay leaders thriving even throughout the pandemic.
Special thanks to Jack Rutledge, from the Church Pension Group, and the Commission on Ministry representatives, Erika von Haaren, Chad Sundin, and Janet Beason, who all attended and provided additional resources for our lay leaders. The Diocese of Arizona will be sending out a survey to those who participated as we look forward to another insightful and spiritual retreat in 2023.
