Get ready to celebrate! On Sunday, October 18, 2026, United Methodist congregations will observe Laity Sunday—a joyful opportunity to honor the faith, leadership, service, and witness of laypeople in the church and in the world.

Laity Sunday reminds us that ministry belongs to the whole people of God. It happens when someone welcomes a visitor, teaches a child, prays with a neighbor, prepares a meal, sings in worship, visits a person who is homebound, advocates for justice, offers encouragement at work, or shares the love of Christ through everyday acts of compassion. In every generation and every setting, God calls ordinary people to take part in extraordinary grace.

The 2026 theme, “Together by Grace: Be Grounded in Love,” invites us to remember where faithful service begins. We do not lead from our own strength alone. We are rooted in God’s steadfast love, nourished by grace, and joined to one another in Christ. From those who serve quietly behind the scenes to those who lead visibly in worship and mission, every gift helps the church grow and bless the world.

Laity Sunday is more than a moment of recognition; it is an invitation to renewed discipleship. It gives congregations a chance to see ministry with fresh eyes and to celebrate the many ways people live their baptismal calling at home, at church, in the workplace, at school, and throughout the community. It also creates space for people who have not yet found their place to ask, “How might God use my gifts?”

How can you participate?

• Invite laypeople of different ages and backgrounds to lead prayers, read Scripture, share testimonies, offer music, or participate in the message.
• Celebrate ministries that happen both inside and beyond the church walls, including caregiving, mentoring, community service, teaching, hospitality, advocacy, and daily vocational witness.
• Share stories of grace—brief examples of how people in your congregation are helping others experience Christ’s love.
• Create a “gifts for ministry” moment that helps every person name one gift they can offer and one next step they can take.
• Pray for lay leaders and all members of the congregation, asking God to deepen their roots in love and strengthen their witness.

Begin planning now, and let anticipation build. Encourage people to tell their stories, invite new voices into leadership, and make the day a true celebration of the Spirit at work through all God’s people. When congregations recognize, equip, and release the gifts of the laity, the church becomes a living witness to grace—grounded in love and ready to bless the world.

Click here to explore worship ideas, graphics, and additional planning resources from Discipleship Ministries.