Lay Leadership

From the very beginning of the Methodist movement, leadership by the members of the church, not just the pastor, has been an important constant.  We believe this model aligns with the New Testament’s vision of the church as the Body of Christ, with each member having a different but important function.  In addition to the many, many people who serve in our various ministries, here at PYUMC we are blessed to have the following people serving in official UMC lay leadership roles in our local church:

Lay Leader:  Shafeegh Habeeb 

The Lay Leader is the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. Elected each year by our members at 

PYUMC’s annual Charge Conference, the lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.  Shafe also served for many years as our Finger 

Lakes District Lay Leader.

Deaconess:  Connie Glover

Deaconesses and Home Missioners are laywomen and laymen who are called by God to be in a lifetime relationship in The United Methodist Church for

engagement with a full-time vocation in ministries of love, justice, and service.  After completing a course of educational requirements, they are commissioned by the UMC at 

General Conference and join their Annual Conference’s community of Deaconesses and Home Missioners.  In addition to the many ways Connie serves at church and in our community, 

her ministry of love, justice, and service is through the Community Café of Penn Yan, Inc.

Certified Lay Servants & Certified Lay Speakers:

These people have completed and continue annual United Methodist training and development classes to become more effective leaders and ministers within the church. 

Rebecca Perrault

Kim Fitzgerald

Linda Snyder