Lay Servant Ministries - Many Waters

Welcome to the Many Waters Lay Servant Ministries

Many Waters District contacts 

Anne Carter, Director

aecarter@bu.edu

Sue Tesar, Registrar



Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course

Introduction to Lay Ministry via ZOOM

This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are
encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider
the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted
in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable
in their discipleship.

Instructor: Pastor Laura Church, pastor of North Vienna UMC 

Dates:  Five 2-hour sessions:  Thursdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1 (2023).

Time:  6:30 pm- 8:30 pm; Log on by 6:25 pm

Location: Online with Zoom (Technical assistance available!)

Registration deadline: April 26, 2023

Please purchase the textbook beforehand. There will be reading assignments prior to the first class, which will be discussed in the Letter to Participants which you will receive after Registration.

Lay Servant Ministries – Basic Course: by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson
Participant’s Book • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 • $12.00 available from The Upper Room Bookstore, or Cokesbury. Participant is responsible for purchasing text. Check with your church for possible scholarships.

There is a $10 registration fee, either online with credit card or check  payable to Many Waters District Office, PO Box 89, E. Winthrop ME 04343. On the memo line write: LSM Couse – Basic. If cost is prohibitive, check with your church – some churches and districts have scholarships available.

ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK HERE!


Lay Servant Ministries Advanced Course

United Methodist Polity (required for Certified Lay Speaker)

Taught by Rev. Steve Bascom, Pastor of UMC of Auburn

Dates:  Saturday, May 13, and Saturday, May 20, 2023

Time:  9:00-12:00, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Lunch on your own, many good places nearby)

Location: UMC of Auburn, 439 Park Ave, Auburn, Maine

Please purchase the textbook beforehand: 

Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (United Methodist Polity)
This course gives participants an overview of the structure and organization of The United
Methodist Church. [It is an] in-depth analysis of the connection between United Methodist polity and theology [that] addresses ways in which historical developments have shaped--and continue to shape--the organization of the church. A copy of the 2016 Book of Discipline is recommended.

By Thomas Edward Frank   AB531   978-0-687-33531-2

Assignment: to read before Session 1 (May 13) will be emailed once you register

There is a $10 registration fee, payable to Many Waters District Office, PO Box 89, E. Winthrop ME 04343.

The Instructor will be Rev. Steve Bascom (pastor at UMC of Auburn) sebisk@outlook.com

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

 ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE!


Many Waters District, Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) Advanced Class

The Liturgical Christian Year

Friday, June 2, 2023;  4:30 – 8:30pm

Saturday, June 3;   9:00am – 3:30pm

When worship works, in us and among us, we know it.  Something speaks powerfully within us.  A divine contact is made at the center of our lives.  Diverse things link up for us.  We are stirred, perhaps moved to tears or filled with joy.  We are motivated to action.  We want to talk about it and to share what has touched us deeply.”  (¶ 1 p. xi)

Taught by Pastor Lynn Briggs

Empire Grove Methodist Campground, across from 627 Empire Rd., Poland, ME

Back by popular demand! Empire Grove is a beautiful retreat setting not far from Exit 75 on the Maine Turnpike. Note: If you are interested, overnight arrangements at campground can be made by contacting AJ Alexander at aaturnleft3@gmail.com. You also may want to stay over until Sunday, June 4 and attend the evening (7:00 pm) Vespers Service.

Friday, June 2, 2023;  4:30 – 8:30pm

Saturday, June 3;   9:00am – 3:30pm *Bring your own lunch

TEXT:   Rhythms of Worship: The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy by John G. Stevens & Michael Waschevski

OUR COURSE GOAL:   To go back to our respective churches fully equipped to do something that will help our pastor and our church family.   We expect a diverse group of students, so there will be diverse projects!   I promise you, there will be something for everyone in this course! 

Online registration here ; Maximum 8 students  (Registration deadline: May 24)

When you have registered, more materials will be emailed or US Mailed to you.

Course fee: $10. If paying by check, please make it out to Many Waters District Office and on the memo line write: LSM Course- Liturgical Year

ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE! 


Lay Servant Ministries Advanced Course

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

Taught by Pastor Bo Landsperg, Pastor of Bolsters Mills UMC & Minot UMC

Dates:  Friday, July 21, 2023:   5:00 – 8:00 pm

and Saturday, July 22:  9:00 am – 4:30 pm  (Bring your own lunch)

Location: Empire Grove Methodist Campground, across from 627 Empire Rd., Poland, Maine

Note: Overnight arrangements at campground can be made by contacting AJ Alexander at aaturnleft3@gmail.com. You also may want to stay over until Sunday, July 23, and attend the evening (7:00 pm) Vespers Service.

Please purchase the textbooks beforehand: 

Each One a Minister by William J. Carter; Participant’s Book DR375, 978-0-88177-375-0,  $14.00, and

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts by Charles V. Bryant;  633, 978-0-8358-0633-6, $11.99

Assignment: Before Session 1 (July 21), read both books and take the Gifts Inventory in the Bryant book. 

There is a $10 registration fee, payable to Many Waters District Office, PO Box 89, E. Winthrop ME 04343.

The Instructor will be Pastor Bo Landsperg (pastor at Bolsters Mills and Minot UMC) bjlandsperg@roadrunner.com

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, July 12, 2023

 ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE!


Lay Servant Ministries Course

Basic: Introduction to Lay Ministry

Taught by Joan Spitzform, Lay Leader of Minot UMC

Dates:  Thursday, August 17, 2023:   5:00 – 8:00 pm

Friday, August 18:   5:00 – 8:00 pm

and Saturday, August 19:  9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Empire Grove Methodist Campground, across from 627 Empire Rd., Poland, Maine

Note: If you’d like to stay overnight at the campground, arrangements can be made by contacting AJ Alexander at aaturnleft3@gmail.com. You also may want to stay over until Sunday, August 20 and attend the evening (7:00 pm) Vespers Service.

Please purchase the textbook beforehand

Lay Servant Ministries – Basic Course by Sandy Zeigler Jackson and Brian Jackson
Participant’s Book • DR626 • 978-0-88177-626-3 • $12.00

Assignment: Before Session 1 (August 17) will be emailed to those who register

There is a $10 registration fee, payable to Many Waters District Office, PO Box 89, E. Winthrop ME 04343.

The Instructor will be Joan Spitzform (Lay Leader at Minot UMC) JSPITZFORM@roadrunner.com

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 9, 2023

 ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE!


or paper registration: Mail to Many Waters District, PO Box 89, East Winthrop, ME 04343 

Name: ___________________________________________   Date: _______________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

Email: ________________________________  Phone: __________________________________

Home Church: __________________________________________________________________

As you prayerfully consider taking this course, please meet and discuss with your pastor.

Pastor’s Name: ___________________________________ (please print)

Is this your first Lay Servant Ministries course? ___ Yes    ___ No 

If no, please list previous courses and dates: ___________________________________________________

I have enclosed the $10.00 registration fee. Please make all checks out to Many Waters District Office with Lay-Servant:(name of class)  in the memo line. Mail to Many Waters District Office, PO Box 89, E. Winthrop ME 04343. If cost is prohibitive, check with your church – some churches and districts have scholarships available