The 2026 Conference Lay Servant Academy will be held on August 1, 2026, beginning with check in at 9:00 am and the program beginning at 9:30 am and running until 3:30 pm.

District Directors will be sent a registration link, and ONLY district directors register the participants.  If you are a lay servant who wishes to facilitate classes in your district, please reach out to your district director for more information.

The location is Washington Street United Methodist Church, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC

The Morning Train the Trainer Session will feature Toni Taylor as the facilitator.

Lunch will be served with Tim Scott as the caterer.

The afternoon sessions available are:

Basic with Youth Addendum – Nancy Rivers, Facilitator

Leading Bible Study – Kris Bergman, Facilitator

United Methodist Heritage – Rev. Sheri White, Facilitator

Justice in Everyday Life:  A Look at the Social Principles of the UMC – Rev. Alston Lippert, Facilitator

Forgiving What We Can’t Forget – Makeiba Lewis, Facilitator