Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Overview
As our growing parishes rely more and more on the service of lay ecclesial ministers, the Diocese of Raleigh is taking leadership in making sure that these ministers are well-qualified and that they have opportunities for continued education and formation.
LEMA (PDF), the diocesan Lay Ecclesial Ministers’ Association, is an association designed to provide for the spiritual and professional development of lay ecclesial ministers. In conjunction with the Office for Lay Ministry, LEMA provides a day of reflection for lay ecclesial ministers each spring and an October gathering focusing on a particular aspect of ministerial formation. LEMA also proudly supports the annual Celebration of Lay Ministry, a liturgy at which Bishop Burbidge honors lay ministers who are retiring, marking significant anniversaries of service, or have recently completed degree or certificate studies. All lay ecclesial lay ministers in the Diocese of Raleigh are invited to become active in LEMA.
Above: Kathy Flynn, who just finished her term on LEMA’s Executive Committee, accepts the commitment to service of the 2011-2012 Executive Committee (left to right): Wilena McPhatter, Tom Fielding, Paula Zanker, Jim Hynes, Joe Long, Jan Carnahan, Maureen Leahy, and Carole Sears (not pictured).