This is my final Cliff’s Notes. I have experienced many “finals” and “lasts” in the past few months. This obviously comes with a sense of loss, but also with rich memories.
Thank you.
I am grateful for the many wonderful people I have encountered across the country. The FMCiC is rich with good people who love Jesus. Thank you for opening your homes, your hearts, and extending friendships to Karlene and me.
To those people who have faithfully prayed for my family and I, thank you. Thank you for kind and timely notes of encouragement, Bible verses, and gifts – you have blessed my family and me.
A final blessing, which sums up many of the themes that I have prayed into FMCiC and will continue to pray for you and us,
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Just in case you missed it 😊
- May God Himself, the God of Peace (Jehovah Shalom, God of Peace invites us into a Covenant of Peace, through Jesus the Prince of Peace, Who preaches a Gospel of Peace – PEACE! We are called to be a people of peace!)
- Sanctify you through and through [including your imagination so that you are dreaming God’s dreams for our churches]
- May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless, which is our journey of holiness! A journey that was never meant to be private, but in community. A journey of discipleship – oh I continue to pray that each local church develop a clear definition of discipleship so to create a corresponding strategic plan
- The One who calls you [insert your name and “FMCiC”] is faithful, and He will do it! This final phrase actually echoes in my head, “He will do it!” I pray it as a prayer, and I hold on to it as promise. What He says, He will do it! What He has and will call us to, He will do it!
Amen.
This past weekend I worshiped with our St. Henri EM (which is “Eglise Methodiste” in French!) in Montreal. I approached three young men and started to speak in French. They quickly stopped me and explained that they did not speak French, as they had only been in Canada for a week. They are from Ghana and decided to find a French Methodist church to worship with as they were eager to learn French. I watched as the St. Henri church family surrounded these young men.
In the afternoon I ordained Yves Anthonuel in a wonderful time of worship and celebration.
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
Check out all the latest photos from around the FMCiC here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery/
Do you know someone who would like to receive CliffsNotes? They can now sign up through the website at: https://fmcic.ca/cliffsnotes-signup/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jody Pfeifer (Weyburn, SK) – approved for ordination in The Free Methodist Church in Canada, effective April 11
Pastor Calvin Sawatzky (Northview, Regina, SK) – approved for ordination in The Free Methodist Church in Canada, effective April 11
Rev. Jervis Djokoto (Senior Director of Church Health-FMCiC) – approved to transfer ordination credential from Associated Gospel Churches into The Free Methodist Church in Canada, effective April 11
ORDINATION SERVICES
Date and time TBA – Pastor Jody Pfeifer, Weyburn FM Church, Weyburn, SK
Date and time TBA – Pastor Calvin Sawatzky, Northview Community Church, Regina, SK
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
Register online through the link above (Tuition payment is not required when registering for a course. Payment is due 10 days before the course begins.)
Lay Ministers tracking for credentialed ministry and those transferring ordination credentials into the FMCIC need to take the following two courses for full credit – and if possible, the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology.
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 7-9, 2024 – location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
November 8-10, 2024 – location TBA*
(click here for other options to take this course)
Ministerial Candidates tracking for Commissioned or Ordained Minister are required to take the following two courses for full credit. Those who are already commissioned or ordained are required to either audit these two courses for 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) each or take the two courses and complete the assignments for 3 CEUs each.
Culture and the Missional Church:
Date and location TBA*
Personal Stewardship:
5-week online course – Start Date TBA
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
2024 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PLAN (LSP) [APPLY TWICE PER YEAR]:
The Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) provides financial assistance to candidates who are studying to meet the educational requirements for credentialed ministry, or for members of conference pursuing continuing education.
[PLEASE NOTE: The FMCiC preference for LSP is for students to attend one of the approved schools on this list. However, if you decide to apply to a non-approved school, you must first send a request to the Credentialing Coordinator (click here for details).
October 15 is the next deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2024. The 2024 application forms and instructions are available to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2024.”
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS [APPLY ONCE PER YEAR]:
The Special Scholarships provide financial assistance to those who are members of a Free Methodist church pursuing post-secondary education to grow in their Christian faith, to those who are pursuing credentialed ministry, and to members of conference pursuing continuing education.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during the 2024 calendar year – apply online anytime from the link above. Special Scholarships are awarded in late November/early December each year.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEU’S) https://fmcic.ca/introduction-to-continuing-education/
Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (except retirees) are to annually report hours acquired during each year for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Send a report online anytime you have hours to submit for CEUs: https://fmcic.wufoo.com/forms/continuing-education-unit-ceu-report-form/
Note: For those who attend the fall Minister’s Conferences or the spring Regional Gatherings, attendance is now taken at these events so 6 hours of CEU credit for each event will automatically be recorded.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Brantford, ON – The Open Door Church
Marmora, ON – Marmora FM Church
Nepean ON – Arlington Woods FM Church
Newmarket, ON – New Hope Methodist Church
Sombra, ON – Zion FM Church
Church Profiles Available
To review the church profiles that are available, please contact Lorilee Bishop in the Church Health Office at lorilee.bishop@fmcic.ca – [deadline to apply in brackets]
Brampton ON – Bramalea FM Church (Part-time) [May 14]
Seeley’s Bay ON – Pine Grove Community Church (Full-time) [May 28]
Preparing Profiles
Once these church profiles become available, they will be listed above as “Church Profiles available” .
Belleville, ON – Belleville Centennial FM Church (Rev. Rodney Peterson retiring Aug 31/24)
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FM Church (Rev. Leonard Bruce – Interim Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FM Church
Dryden, ON – Dryden FM Church
Frankford, ON – Frankford Community Church
Godfrey, ON – Cole Lake FM Church
Kingston, ON – Kingscourt FM Church (Pastor Jordan Ruby – Interim Pastor)
Mississauga, ON – Grace FM Church (Rev. Steve Cylka – Interim Pastor)
Orillia, ON – Church on the Hill (Pastor Velma Shewfelt – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill FM Church (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
NEW Associate Pastor, Connection & Care – Smiths Falls Free Methodist Church
Associate Pastor of Connections – Chapel Ridge FMC
Part-time Worship Leader – New Hope Methodist Church
