Regional Gathering British Columbia (5/12!)
I loved being with the BC crew this weekend at Regional Gathering. Thank you for the warm and laughter filled atmosphere. On Sunday I enjoyed visiting for the first time our Kamloops church, pastored by Pastor Shelley Utz. Pastor Shelley, Dan and their kids moved to Kamloops in late summer 2018. It has been a very good first year for church and family. Pastor Shelley has focused on PRAYER. For instance they have been doing weekly prayer walks around town. She explained, “not to ‘claim territory’ but to acknowledge responsibility for the community and to pray for each home.” I especially loved what one older saint said about this new prayer season: “I feel like I am just learning”. Learning to pray, as opposed to praying the way we’ve only ever prayed, is God’s favourite prayer posture. Thank you Kamloops.
FMCiC Chaplains: Thank you for your ministry!
Did you know that we have chaplains that serve in retirement homes, hospitals, navy, air force and infantry? These men and women have received callings from God that require them to be on the frontline of preparing people to die, deal with cancer, loss, broken marriages, baby dedications, post-traumatic syndrome, weddings, while often feeling and being disconnected from us their FMCiC family because their work is not in a church so they are not always able to attend our gatherings. I’ve learned that often they pay (out of pocket) to attend Regional Gatherings or General Conference. Thank you chaplains, and families for stepping into your callings! We appreciate your sacrifices as a family. You are loved!
Canadian Armed Forces Chaplain, and FMCiC Minister Lt Stephen An is being posted to 5th Wing Goose Bay this summer – he wrote me this week to let me know about this. 5th Wing is an Air Base and is located in Happy-Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador (I’m guessing Happy Valley is not happy in the winter?!). This 3 year posting is an “isolated posting”. He will be the only chaplain on the base. His wife, Minok, will be able to accompany him, in the mid-August. Their 3 sons are in university. Because it is an isolated posting there was a rigorous screening process. I asked Padre An about this adventure:
“What does a military chaplain do?”
Chaplains lead worship in chapels, tents, and training areas. Chaplains do marriage counseling, marriage seminars, battle-ready training, and death and bereavement counseling. They perform marriages, baptisms and funerals. Often their “congregation” is made up of not many. And, their congregants don’t always come to them; they go into the workplace to meet the needs. Chaplains are on flight lines, tank ranges, in shipyards, hospitals, even foxholes. Chaplains go where there is an opportunity to touch a life. Military men and women are often young and have young families. Many have never been a part of a church and know little to nothing about the spiritual resources available to them. A Chaplain has privileged access to all CAF members of all ranks, has no commanding authority, and is prohibited from bearing arms under the Geneva Conventions. Liaison with other spiritual leaders in the civilian community is expected. Chaplains can work in Canada or may be required to go abroad during operations.
“How can we pray for your family and ministry?
- Pray that I would be appropriately courageous in the presentation of the Gospel during my counseling, worship services, and visit the Unit lines.
- Pray that I would be a positive influence and godly witness.
- Pray that I would have a sense of God’s peace in the midst of isolated environment.
- Pray for my family that they might know the comfort, strength, and peace of God in distance between Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Pray for youngest son, Joey, who is going to University in September to adjust well in his college life.
Please pray for Stephen & Minok and their family. In fact please lift us all of our chaplain families this week.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Attention: Pastors and Delegates!
We have received 104 Annual Reports so far, but that means we are missing approximately 35 Annual Reports. If you have not yet completed your report please do so as soon as possible!
You will find the Annual Report on the home page of our website at fmcicdev.wpengine.com.
Annual Report in English: https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form141/index.html?1406294972546
Annual Report in French: https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form144/index.html?1420832672433
This year we have included a guide (pdf) to help you understand and complete the Annual Report. We trust that we will be helpful to you in completing the form.
Attached you will find a template (in pdf) to help you gather information from your treasurer (and others) and to note yppreciate your filing online if possible, but you can fax or mail your report to the Ministry Centre as well – info@fmcic.ca / 905-848-2603
Please note: Network Leader Evaluation – each person who attends Network meetings should file.
The Lead Pastor’s evaluation of the Network Leader will be included with the Annual Report, all others can file through this link: Network Leader Evaluation
Please keep in mind that we ask for the same statistics every year for the Annual Report, so a system should be in place to gather this information. Every church and church plant must file a report.
FMCIC Annual Report Guide
Annual Report 2018
Annual Report 2018 – FR
2019 REGIONAL GATHERINGS 2019 Regional Gathering Locations and Dates – PDF
Regional Gatherings are all about connecting! Our intention is to see Free Methodist leader and lay people meeting together as a movement for both an “informative” and “formative” gathering. We hope to see you there! https://fmcic.ca/regional-gathering-2019/
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – The ‘Boring’ Basics of Church Revitalization: https://fmcic.ca/the-boring-basics-of-church-revitalization/
News & Stories Blog – West Springs FMC Asylum Seekers Initiatives Group: https://fmcic.ca/west-springs-fmc-asylum-seekers-initiatives-group/
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 Network: Learning Party stories – Andrew Benson: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-64-learning-party-stories-andrew-benson/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Crossroads Free Methodist Church, Salmon Arm, BC and Rev. Linda Dixon have gone into transition effective April 30, 2019.
Ordination and Commissioning Services
None scheduled
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
Register online through the link above
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:
May 31-June 2, 2019 – Peterborough FM Church, Peterborough ON
November 1-3, 2019 – western Canada-location TBA*
Cours sur le Coeur du Méthodisme Libre Canadien
12 au 14 juillet 2019 à Montréal à l’Église Méthodiste Libre de St-Henri
Wesleyan Theology:
May 31-June 2, 2019 – Weyburn Free Methodist Church, Weyburn, SK
November 1-3, 2019 – Ontario-location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
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:
Western Canada course starts October 7 (deadline to register – October 1)
Oct 7-31 – advance online engagement
Nov 1-2 – two-day class in-person at Lakeview Free Methodist Church, Saskatoon, SK
Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course (FRENCH) – start date – TBA
6-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – TBA
(*locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
2019 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during either the summer and/or the fall semesters of 2019. The 2019 application forms and instructions are now available to download from the link above.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during 2019 – apply online from the link above
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs) https://fmcic.ca/introduction-to-continuing-education/
Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (except retirees) are to annually report Continuing Education Units (CEUs) acquired during each year. Check the link above for information on CEUs, the report form and a list of examples of many different types of life-long learning that can be applied as CEUs.
Note: For those who attended the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Church Profiles available
Contact Susan DePlanché in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – susan.deplanche@fmcic.ca or 289-228-1225 (deadline to apply in brackets)
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK (May 7, 2019)
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Susan in the Leadership Development Office [susan.deplanche@fmcic.ca 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)
Crossroads FMC, Salmon Arm, BC
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, ON (Kim Henderson-Interim Pastor)
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Abbs So and Shadow Lau-Interim Co-Pastors)
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Life Guards – Smoky Trail Native Bible Camp
Children’s Ministry Director – Barrie FM Church
Intern Job Position – Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist