District programs

District	Director	Phone
Ann Arbor	John Wharton	734-429-5258
Overview	The Ann Arbor District conducts lay speaking schools in both the spring and fall. Two advanced courses as well as the basic course are usually offered, with the school most often conducted on two non-consecutive Saturdays. Schools have also been conducted in a retreat format at Adrian College.
*200*6 Schools	Fall 2006 classes to be held at Saline First UMC on October 21 and Nov 4 2006. Offered are the Basic Course, Local Church Refresher Course, Advanced Course - Storytelling, Advanced Course - Interpreting Our Heritage.

Detroit East	Phyllis Hart 1894 Chatham Dr, Troy, MI 48084	313-823-4614
Overview	The Detroit East District offers classes in the winter each year and is considering the addition of fall classes. Winter classes usually begin in February at Clawson UMC from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. each Sunday for seven consecutive weeks. The final week includes a commissioning service. Three levels are offered: Basic (local), Advanced (certified), and Continuing Education (recertification). The program also offers a basic class for youth aged 14 to 17. Classes are announced by the district superintendent at charge conferences and through mailings to each church in the district.
*200*6 Schools	Pending

Detroit West	Denise Willis (Director) 15810 Brammell Detroit, MI 48223	313-255-6151
Program Overview	The Detroit West District offers its classes in the fall. Based on number of registrations, one or more section(s) of the basic class, advanced class, and recertification class will be offered. Class size is targeted to not exceed 10 persons. The Sunday classes are facilitated by certified lay speakers and are comprised of a registration program that lasts two hours, 3 ½ hour sessions on the subsequent six Sundays, and a Commissioning Service on the Sunday following the six class periods. The class site annually moves to different churches in the district.
*2006* Schools	Basic, advanced and recertification courses are scheduled at Livonia Clarenceville UMC (Middlebelt between Seven and Eight Mile Roads) to commence with the Registration Sunday program on Sept 10 from 2PM to 4PM. Classes will be held for six consecutive Sundays from 2PM through 5:30PM, Sept 17 through Oct 29, with the Commissioning Sunday program to follow on Nov 4 from 2PM to 5:30PM.

Flint	Ted Stuvel	810-742-2455
Program Overview	The Flint District offers a series of basic and advanced LSM courses on the first weekend in March in Flint. There are normally several basic sections and a variety of advanced courses available. Class format is a Friday evening and all day Saturday retreat.
*200*6 Schools	Pending

Marquette	Vicky Crystal	906-485-1851
Program Overview	The churches in the Marquette District are spread across the Upper Peninsula, covering a west to east distance of over 320 milesā€”from Ironwood to Pickford and south to include the five northernmost churches in the Lower Peninsula. To minimize driving and overnight travel the Marquette District schedules LSM schools four times a year spread across the district. Schools are usually scheduled in two locations in the spring and two locations in the fall. Each location offers both basic and advanced courses. Courses are announced through the district newsletters, Upbeat and NewsBits, along with mailings to district churches and to lay speakers in the district. A commissioning service is scheduled during the last class session.
*200*6 Schools	Pending

Port Huron	Ron Bailey	810-385-5473
Program Overview	The Port Huron District usually offers courses in both the spring and fall. Participants are recruited through the district newsletter, The Spinnaker, which announces the classes to be offered and the schedule. Once participants have registered, course locations are determined based on where the registrants are located. Class format includes seven sessions. The first is mainly an introduction to the material, with texts and study guides distributed, and the last is a commissioning service.
*200*6 Schools	2006 class start Oct 1. on Sundays (1,8,15,22,29, Nov 5) Dedication Nov 12. Sites to be determined.

Saginaw Bay	Joyce Kerr	989-753-7075
Program Overview	The Saginaw Bay District offers basic and advanced LSM courses in the spring, fall and winter. We also offer a Youth Lay Speaking weekend each year. Courses are announced through the district newsletter, and The Proclamation, the district LSM newsletter. Course locations vary in an attempt to offer courses throughout the district. Class format usually consists of either six 2.5-hour sessions or three 5-hour sessions (with a lunch break) spread over five weeks. Commissioning takes place during the last class session. As these are lay leadership development courses, they may be taken either for credit within the Lay Speaking Ministries certification curriculum, or for personal growth. The cost is $35 for the basic course and $45 for the advanced courses. This cost includes the necessary textbooks, study guides, mailing costs, and a portion of the course consumables. Lay speakers from other districts are always welcome.
*Winter 2008 School 2008 Youth Weekend***	St. Luke's UMC, 206 Scheurmann St. Essexville: Sundays, 2:00-5:00 pm January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 2008. Basic Lay Speaking Ministries and a choice of three advanced courses: Lay Speakers Deliver Sermons, Justice in Everyday Life, and Growing Through Daily Discipline. Download Application form HERE. Youth Lay Speaking Weekend, "YOUTH! Tomorrow's Leaders Today!", Coleman: Faith UMC, 7:00pm Friday, April 18 through 5:00pm Sunday, April 20, 2008, Basic Lay Speaking Ministries and the advanced lay speaking ministries course, Lay Speakers Tell Stories. Details, a descriptive flyer, and an application form will be available soon, but get it onto your calendar now. Contact Ralph Czerepinski, <czere@cris.com> Registrar, 989-832-3604 for copies of applications, or for any other additional information concerning these courses.