Many people are concerned about the future of our world. They are looking for sources of hope and inspiration. We will reflect on this global theme at the 17th European Lay Seminar. We will share experiences from our own church life with other lay people from the Methodist family in Europe.
The Methodist Church in Italy (Chiesa Evangelica Metodista d‘Italia) runs a conference center not far from Rome, the Centro Ecumene. We will have an inspiring time there in the southern Italy autumn. You can expect a change of perspective, cross-border contacts, spiritual impulses, time for sharing,
relaxing evenings and an excursion to Rome.
More info can you find here. Ta kontakt med samfundssekreteraren@metodistkyrkan.fi ifall du är intresserad att delta, det finns ett begränsat antal platser för vårt biskopsområde.
17th European Lay Seminar (Employed Lay Workers and Volunteers)
Dear friends
Many greetings to you all. I am writing to you on behalf of the representatives for the lay ministry of the European Methodist Council.
We would like to extend an invitation for two lay persons of the Methodist Church in our area for the European Lay Seminar. It will take place from the October 9.-14., 2026, in Velletri (Italy). The languages of this gathering will be English and German. The theme will be “Peace, Justice, and Care of Creation – is there Hope?” More information about the program and the leadership team can be found on the enclosed leaflet.
Would you please pass on this invitation and work on finding these two representatives from your country?
In 2022 there were also a Lay Seminar in Velletri, and that was a very good experience for everyone.
The Centro Ecumene has only 24 rooms, and we don't know when they will be fully booked. Therefore, it might be advisable to register soon.
Please choose the application fee according to your financial possibilities. This covers the costs for food and accommodation. Since the financial possibilities are differing, there are three different prices (see leaflet). And if the minimum contribution of Euro 300, 00 will be beyond the possibilities of the participant(s) and the Methodist Church in your country, as well, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is our aim to help overcoming financial limitations and thus to do as much as we can to have many countries represented in the Lay Seminar.
If possible, travel costs are to be financed on one’s own account. If this is not realistic, please also contact us so that we can explore how to provide for some support towards these costs.
God’s blessing and strength for your ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Vigdis-Merete Rønning,
Member of the leadership team of the European Lay Seminar