I worshiped with Chapel Ridge FM on Sunday. Such a warm welcome, enthusiastic praise and prayer. At the end of the service, the very gifted worship leader introduced us to a “new song”, one that was written by someone in the congregation, who has chosen to remain anonymous. It was an engaging, beautiful and powerful prayer song. I mention the song because I do believe that the Body of Christ is better connected (united) when we engage internationally in the same songs, creeds and prayers, AND I believe that local churches must discover their particular “new songs”.
When the Psalmist writes of a “new song” (the phrase appears 9 times in Scripture), what is meant? Does the Bible writer have in mind music only? Perhaps, but clearly it is more, a metaphor that reminds us of the fountain of living water that pours life into us, through us, all the time. With this living water, there is new life daily, and new songs!
The new song can be the new words that run through our head all day (as opposed to old ones that might be dragging you down), new ideas, stories, new daily life rhythms, art, theatre, strategies… To be clear, a new song is never meant to be a private song that stays only in your head, but it is to be “sung”! Yesterday at Church, a new song from a Chapel Ridger was shared and we were led into a beautiful and powerful prayer which has stuck in my head for all the right reasons! Thank you Chapel Ridge.
An element of “new song” is that it is “catchy” – Holy Spirit stirs in you, in order to help you become a transforming agent of His to others, a bringer of His Good News, a teller of His story, a singer of His songs… Sanctified imagination begets sanctified imaginations, imagination is contagious. For instance, I am confident that the prayer-song we sang yesterday, will inspire others to be brave about their new song.
New songs can be evangelistic, instructional, worshipful, healing, all of the above or any combination of these. Spirit-filled churches discover God’s new songs…
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://www.fmcic.ca/cliffsnotes-signup/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
ORDINATION SERVICES
April 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET – Pastor Yves Anthonuel, Eglise Evangelique des Mille-Iles, Laval, QC
2024 WESLEY CONFERENCE – The Living Word: Transformative Encounters with Scripture
Tyndale University in Toronto is hosting this year’s “pre-conference” event on April 24, the day before General Conference begins.
Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone, Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary is the keynote speaker. Dr LaGrone will give two talks centred around the theme “The Living Word: Transformative Encounters with Scripture.”
There will also be breakout sessions on a range of practical and theological issues, including preaching, parenting, prayer, grief, the problem of evil, and animal ethics. Free Methodist presenters include David Schuchardt, Joy McEwen, and Steve Tungate (FMCUSA).
The Lorne Park Foundation is offering to pay the registration for up to fifty Free Methodists (lay or ordained) to attend the conference in person.
If you would like one of these free spots, please register here by March 31 (do not register through the Tyndale website or Eventbrite page): https://fmcic.wufoo.com/forms/wesley-conference-april-24-2024/
You can find out more about the event here: https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/wesley-studies/annual-symposium
Attendance at this pre-conference is worth 6 hours of required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Ordained and Commissioned Ministers.
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES http://www.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 http://www.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://www.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.
______________________________
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FM Church
Brantford, ON – The Open Door Church
Marmora, ON – Marmora FM Church
Nepean ON – Arlington Woods FM Church
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community 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 [email protected] – [deadline to apply in brackets]
Newmarket, ON – New Hope Methodist Church (Full-Time) [April 2]
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
Associate Pastor of Connections – Chapel Ridge FMC
Part-time Worship Leader – New Hope Methodist Church
Tearfund Canada – Summer Internship Opportunities
