Meet the DLTs: Susan Hardy

June 25, 2019 / By Susan Hardy, Cornerstone District Leadership Team

I currently serve as UNY Conference Lay Leader. This ministry began, as all do, with a call to serve at my local church-- Brocton Tri-Church Parish in the Cornerstone District--by exercising my spiritual gifts.

This meant that I sang in the choir, then taught Sunday School and confirmation classes, served in leadership roles like secretary, then chair of Ad. Council, then lay member to Annual Conference and lay leader.

I also began taking Lay Servant Classes and offered messages in the local church.

When I attended my first Annual Conference in 2011, others noticed my gifts, and I was invited to serve on the Conference Team called, "Reaching Our Neighbors Mission Oversight" team. At my second meeting, I was asked to step into the role of convener for that team. 

Meanwhile, at the District level, I joined the District Committee on Ordained Ministry and acquired District Lay Speaker credentials, so I offered messages in increasing numbers of churches. I also accepted the role of District Lay Leader in 2014 and began serving on Superintendency and Lay Servant Ministry committees, as well as Board of Laity and Nominations at Conference level.

Currently, I am focused on developing Christ-following leaders at all levels. I lead a bible study each week at Brocton Tri-Church Parish and mentor other laity to exercise their leadership skills. At the District level, I actively seek and recruit laity to serve on District and Conference teams.

I have learned to offer a class on Spiritual Gifts for District Day, which helps in discerning fruitful places to engage in ministries. At Conference level, I am constantly encouraging District leaders, as well as leaders for UMW, UMM, CCYM, and YA to exercise their gifts at all places and all times.

As I do at our Conference level, I serve on the Cornerstone District Leadership Team, which created a spiritual retreat for pastors in October 2018 at Asbury. Conversations are underway about a second retreat experience, as well as how to partner with churches looking for help with discipleship pathways.