This past Friday and Saturday the national Board of Administration met (we meet twice a year). We continued in our study of Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton. There were items on the agenda that we all looked forward to and at least one that none of us were excited about – most board agendas include that one item that we “just have to get through”. But we listened (arguably the most important skill for an effective board to develop) to each other and to our Father, and then having listened, we landed and we felt peace together. The next day we laughed, broke into groups and prayed as we dreamed about our future as a movement.
We are building our 3-5 Ministry Plan including vision and core values. As we discussed who we are, the good things that are going on, and who we want to be, there was genuine joyful expectation of what God has for us in this next season. When you finally hear it, I am confident that like every prayerful Ministry Plan, you’ll simply and joyfully say “yes, of course this is the important work God has called us to in this season! I mean look at His Word, look at the gifts, passion and ethos of FMCIC. Remember His power! Of course this is what He would have for us!”
Yesterday Karlene and I worshipped in Seeley’s Bay, Pine Grove FM. We were warmly welcomed and ushered into worship and were well fed! I loved what Pastor Dan did in their prayer time, as just a regular and supernatural moment in their service: he stood at the front as music played and welcomed people to come forward to be anointed with oil as part of prayer. James 5 says it so Pine Grove was taking God at His Word. What do you expect to hear and see happen in a church family that takes God at His Word?!
One last note. I had an email exchange with one of our pastors. I asked her if she had a “meaningful Sunday”. This is an edited version of her response (with her permission of course and we took out details of persons):
“I had a wonderfully incredible Sunday.
Meaningful in that it was evident and confirmed both that God spoke through the message pointedly and profoundly to a number of individuals.
Meaningful in that without solicitation, a new-to-church millennial shared how the Spirit has been working in their life since coming to church. The Spirit has been encouraging and ministering to this young person. Today the millennial said the message was especially “meaningful”.
Meaningful in that our offering was enough to cover both last weeks (cancelled due to weather) and this week’s need. The money is not meaningful, it is the evidence of God’s faithfulness meeting the faithfulness of our church family.
Meaningful in that a person who attends our cafe, and has supported our church but has never attended a Sunday morning service has decided starting this Sunday to attend our service.
Meaningful in that some of our ladies and I attended Pinegrove FM’s “Step into Spring” event, and we quite enjoyed Karlene’s testimony / word to us.
Meaningful in that our numbers have been consistently approximately 15+ people above our annual averages. (with nones and dones neighbours).
Meaningful because it was simply one of those sermons that spoke to me, and moved me even as the Lord poured it out. I love when God does that.
Meaningful in that we did not have church last week and I so missed gathering with everyone.
IN IT ALL GOD WAS GLORIFIED – TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
Have I mentioned how much I love my church and serving alongside of them 😉
May your week be filled with meaningful moments that inspire, encourage and invigorate you in the living out of your calling.” (bold is mine, because I’d like us all to receive her benediction…)
The Northern Ontario Regional Gathering at Dryden FM Church is taking place Saturday April 28, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Dryden-Registration-Form-2018-1.doc
The British Columbia Regional Gathering at New Heights Community Church is taking place Saturday May 12, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/British-Columbia-Registration-Form-2018.doc
LOCATIONS & DATES
- NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO @ Dryden FMC, 261 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, ON [Dryden] April 28, 2018
- BRITISH COLUMBIA @ New Heights Community [Mission] May 12, 2018
- ALBERTA @Westpark Church of the Nazarene, 3920 57th Ave. Red Deer, AB [Red Deer] May 26, 2018
- SASKATCHEWAN @ Northview Community Church [Regina] June 2, 2018 *REVISED*
- MANITOBA @ Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 3550 Victoria Ave, Brandon, MB [Brandon] – June 23, 2018
Please see the website for more details – https://fmcic.ca/regional-gatherings-2018/
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays -4 Reasons The Potential Of The Church Is Stronger Than Ever: https://fmcic.ca/4-reasons-the-potential-of-the-church-is-stronger-than-ever/ New
News & Stories Blog – Everyone Benefits from Internships: https://fmcic.ca/everyone-benfits-from-internships/ New
the conneXion – a Free Methodist theology blog: 3 Minute Theology 2.5: Knowing the Bible Inside Out: https://fmcic.ca/3-minute-theology-2-5-knowing-the-bible-inside-out/
New Leaf Podcast: Kevin Makins – Holy Shift: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-52-kevin-makins-holy-shift/ New
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FMCIC
PHOTO GALLERY
Spring BOA Meeting
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
Rev. Randy Williams, Associate Pastor at Smiths Falls Free Methodist Church, Smiths Falls, Ontario, has gone into transition.
Pastor Michael Brain has been appointed as Associate Pastor at Barrie Free Methodist Church, Barrie, Ontario, effective May 1, 2018.
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
None
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 1-3, 2018 at Hampton FM Church, Saskatoon, SK
Wesleyan Theology:
June 1-3, 2018 at Holt FM Church, Mount Albert ON
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
6-week online course (FRENCH) – start date TBA June 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
Next course date and location TBA*
(*these locations will be selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
Registration is online for all courses at this link: https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/. Those tracking for credentialed ministry should take the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology if possible.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The next deadline is October 15, 2018 to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for courses taken during both the spring/summer and fall semesters of 2018.
October 15 is also the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships.
Here is the link for both types of scholarships: https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/Free Methodist Church, Madoc, ON
Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON
Thunder Bay Free Methodist Church, Thunder Bay, ON
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON
Church Profiles available
Contact Susan DePlanché in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] or 289-228-1225.
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC (May 1)
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK (May 8)
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON (May 8)
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Susan in the Leadership Development Office [[email protected] or 289-228-1225] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.)
Athens FMC, Athens, ON (Angel Valentin-Transition Pastor)
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON (Hanford Branscombe-Interim Pastor)
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON (Tom Gurnick – Interim Pastor)
Grapeview FMC, St. Catharines, ON (Dan Sheffield – Transition Pastor)
Port Rowan FMC, Port Rowan, ON
Richmond Hill FMC (English & Chinese), Richmond Hill, ON
Tabernacle de la Grace, Montreal QC
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
Functioning with approved local arrangements
Avonlea FMC, Avonlea SK
Campbell’s Bay FMC, Campbell’s Bay, QC (Orville White)
Church On The Hill, Orillia ON (Charles Tanner)
Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON
Eglise Chrétienne Méthodiste Libre de Le Gardeur, QC (Duplan Auguste Lython)
Enterprise FMC, Enterprise, ON
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON (Robert Boutilier)
Killarney FMC, Killarney, MB (Raymond Riglin)
Markham FMC, ON (K.K. Leung)
Roblin FMC, Roblin, MB (Heath Butler)
Surrey FMC, Surrey BC (Nathaniel Prakash)
theStory, Sarnia, ON (Joshua Walters)
Timmins FMC, Timmins, ON (Lewis Byer)
Wesley Chapel Japanese FM Church, Toronto, ON (Misa Mochinaga)
Yarker FMC, Yarker, ON (Ken Babcock)
PASTORS IN TRANSITION
Glen Coates
David Greene
Kim Henderson
Jason Johnson
Fred Merritt
Jay Mowchenko
Derek Spink
Randy Williams
Grant Wolfe
Mary-Elsie Wolfe
Wesley Wood
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Associate Pastor of Next Generations – Trulls Road FM Church
Director of Youth Ministry – Trulls Road FM Church
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Associate Pastor – Barrie FM Church
Cadet Chaplain – Vernon, BC
Summer Intern – Wawota FM Church
Worship Coordinator – Arlington Wood Free Methodist Church
Bookkeeper – Wesley Chapel FM Church
