COFFEE HOUR AT THE COMMONS
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Episode 45:​ Lay Preaching with Eliza Marth and Anne Hall

Today our guests are Eliza Marth, Northwest Region Missionary and Anne Hall, Junior Warden at St. John’s in Pine Meadow. Both Eliza and Anne were both participants in the first region based lay preaching course last Lent in 2018. The second round just finished up on March 3. Twelve people participated from five parishes and communities. The course met for four weeks. 

We begin our conversation talking about what is lay preaching. Anne says that it is not only the lay members of a congregation that preach under the guidance of colleagues and the priests, but it is also a deeply formative practice for adults. 
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Alli asks how the lay preaching class came to be. Eliza shares the genesis of the class from the basement of Trinity, Torrington and the desire for a part-time priest wanting more diversity in the pulpit. As Region Missionary of the Northwest region, Eliza took a leadership role with two other leaders and 12 lay preaching students. ​
The classes in the first round of the classes first concentrated on bible passages that were sermons as examples. Anne says that one thing that had been very valuable for was spending time talking about the difference between preaching and public speaking. Preaching, for Anne, requires an openness of her own faith. 

Alli asks why Anne and Eliza both said “yes” to participating in the first course. Eliza says she said “yes” because was very drawn to the process of wrestling with the text and then sharing how the Gospel has transformed in her life. Eliza also says that lay preaching is practical in order to free up some time for priests, and to bring more lay voices into the pulpit. Anne says it has helped to build community within the congregation and in the region, representing all types of backgrounds. Anne said “yes” because she thought it was an interesting challenge. 

The second round of lay preaching classes finished up in March. Alli asks Eliza what the differences were between the first and second rounds of classes. First, Eliza says, the Rev. Peter Stebinger, who created the first course curriculum, moved away. Those classes were recorded and are offered as resources for those in the second class. Other priests have stepped in to lead the second class, sharing more insights and resources in response to the feedback given from the first course. 

Alli asks if the vulnerability that is required with preaching has translated to their non-preaching life and relationships. Anne shares that this process has opened her eyes to the difficult job that priests have to be that vulnerable each week. It has, for Anne, helped her open up about and articulate her faith to others. Eliza says that this has helped integrate the Gospels into her daily life, and articulate how God has moved in her life. 

Eliza shares about how the lay preaching courses has expanded to other regions. In the Northwest Region, there is a desire to have continuing education for lay preachers. On Saturday, June 22, the Northwest Region will host their Region Convocation, which will have a Revival including lay preachers and testimonials

You can find this episode and others on our website coffeehour.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook, and give us a follow on Instagram and Twitter. ​

In Christ and Coffee,
Karin & Alli

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  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
    • Season 1 >
      • Episode 0
      • Episode 1
      • Episode 2
      • Episode 3
      • Episode 4
      • Episode 5
      • Episode 6
      • Episode 7
      • Episode 8
      • Episode 9
      • Episode 10
      • Episode 11
      • Episode 12
      • Episode 13
      • Episode 14
      • Episode 15
    • Season 2 >
      • Episode 16
      • Episode 17
      • Episode 18
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      • Episode 20
      • Episode 21
      • Episode 22
      • Episode 23
      • Episode 24
      • Episode 25
      • Episode 26
      • Episode 27
      • Episode 28
      • Episode 29
    • Season 3 >
      • Episode 30
      • Episode 31
      • Episode 32
      • Episode 33
      • Episode 34
      • Episode 35
      • Episode 36
      • Episode 37
      • Episode 38
      • Episode 39
      • Episode 40
      • Episode 41
      • Episode 42
      • Episode 43
      • Episode 44
    • Season 4 >
      • Episode 45
      • Episode 46
      • Episode 47
      • Episode 48
      • Episode 49
      • Episode 50
      • Episode 51
      • Episode 52
      • Episode 53
      • Episode 54
      • Episode 55
      • Episode 56
      • Episode 57
      • Episode 58
    • Season 5 >
      • Episode 59
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      • Episode 73
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    • Season 7 >
      • Episode 83
      • Episode 84
      • Episode 85
      • Episode 86
      • Episode 87
      • Episode 88
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