BW Conference Lay Servant Academy 2026 Quarter 1

Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens - Advanced Course

Dementia and other debilitating conditions in a loved one often represent a crisis of faith for caregivers, family members, and congregations. This course is designed to help laity and clergy deepen their understanding of persons living with these conditions and help all support their identity and worth as beloved children of God. Confronting the deep personal and theological questions created by loving people with these conditions calls the church to a deeper discipleship defined by the quality of our caring and receiving relationships. Participants will discover what it means to carry each other’s memories, joys, and diminished capacities together in community. Through loving practices that nurture and incorporate persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other debilitating conditions into the church’s life and ministry, we experience a spiritual wholeness rooted in God’s grace beyond our own strengths and capacities.

Zoom Meeting: Class will be held via Zoom. Information for joining the class will be provided 24 hours before the start date. Participants must remain on the screen throughout the class. 

Zoom link: Will not be posted but will be sent to all registrants after registration closes, one business day before the start date.

Dates and Time:  Fridays, Feb 13 - Mar 13, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. 

Instructor: Dr. Gregory Parham

Required Text: Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens by Kenneth L. Carder, Participant’s Book • 978-150188-024-7 --Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.

Class Assignments: Please read the book before class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.

Online Registration Only: $40

 Registration Deadline: February 6, 2026

Questions may be directed to Kim Walker at kwalker@bwcumc.org

(The Conference reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment or other circumstances. The Conference will give as much notice of cancelation as possible, students will receive a refund.

All other Refunds must be requested before the first scheduled class date.)