Dear Pastors,   Re: Missouri School of Lay Ministry (SOLM), July 23-25, 2010, Central Methodist University   The SOLM this year features Tom Albin, Dean of the Upper Room, a great opportunity for our laity and for our congregations.  The course is entitled, "Transforming Congregations through Spiritual Formation in the Wesleyan Tradition."  It is the intention of the course provide the tools to implement or supplement small group ministries in our congregations.   I would recommend that first, you encourage your lay speakers and lay leaders to attend and prior to the course to meet with your lay speakers to set expectations, then again again after they return to meet and find out if the products lived up to their billing.  If so, you may want to plan to work with you lay speakers and lay leadership to implement or supplement your small group ministries in the fall or spring.   We know from our heritage that small groups foster spiritual formation and connection to mission, but we search for means to effectively implement them.  This may be a great opportunity.  If you have any questions, please contact Rick Matson, Director of Lay Speaking Ministries, rmatson573@aol.com or 573-529-1210.   Signed, Bill koch District Superintendent