CliffsNotes – February 23, 2021

CliffsNotes / By /

A 2nd Term & Coaching

FMCIC thank you for your continued trust. I have been asked several times over the past week or so, if I enjoy my “job”. Truthfully it is more than “enjoy” and certainly I understand that it is more than a “job”. I love the people I work with, and I love meeting new friends and further growing in the friendships I already have. I love the privilege and responsibility of leading our movement in prayerful discernment and I look forward to discovering what God has in store for us. We will be careful to remember that our primary objective is to introduce people to Jesus. This is our mission and I am very grateful to serve you another term.

“Coaching” is an element of discipleship. Other elements of discipleship include mentoring, spiritual direction, friendship, teaching and apprenticing. In order to be a discipler I do not have to be good at all of these, though Jesus is, I only have to be good at me! Jesus’ strategy is that we would all have multiple disciplers around us, called the Church, and when the Church is healthy you will experience all elements of discipleship. But today I am particularly interested in reminding you about the coaching available to Free Methodists.

  • Your local Church has been assigned a Regional Coach. The RC works with your board and pastor towards Church health.
  • If you are a Church plant then you know that you have access to a Church Planting Coach.
  • Your Church has been offered the gift of free coaching for your Church family prayer life. Doug and Margie Newton, retired directors of prayer for the FMUSA, have extended this offer to you – you need only contact Ken Roth (ken@chapelridge.ca) or myself to connect with them. They are creative, experienced, and have a contagious faith.
  • Last week I posted a video on the FMCIC Facebook page describing a coaching opportunity for your youth workers. “Implenta” is a teaching-coaching program for youth workers and I believe a worthwhile investment into young leaders, potential youth workers, or seasoned workers who are wondering about how to pivot in this new season.
  • Rev. Dr. Jay Mowchenko continues to offer “Radical Coaching”. You can contact him at jay@shalomleadership.org
  • The Intercultural Engagement Team is eager to work with your Missions Committee or board to develop a comprehensive 3-5 Year Mission Plan.

I’m hoping that you are taking advantage of these coaching opportunities – they will only make us stronger!

Have you registered for the Rule of Life yet? Friday noon is the last day to register for a triad. Go to FMCIC website https://fmcic.ca/fmcic-rule-of-life/ . Find the “Prayer” drop down window at top of page. In this menu you will find “Rule of Life” – click “Rule of Life”, scroll down and you will find the registration window.

 

It is my goal to let you know when one of us is offering a course or class. Rev. Dr. Matthew McEwen is offering the following. The only problem is that it is on the same day as our April 17 national gathering. The April 17 FMCIC gathering is for all voting members of General Conference (delegates and pastors). But the rest of you who are free on that day please consider this opportunity: Here’s the link to the course: https://www.tyndale.ca/tsfc/certificates/spiritual-formation/module-7

Spiritual Formation Certificate, Module 7 – Prayer Practices, Navigating the Labyrinth.

ANNUAL REPORTS (due February 26, 2021)

We kindly ask that you make completing the Annual Report a priority.  We have included a guide (pdf) to help you understand and complete the Annual Report. We trust that it will be helpful to you in completing the form.

ANNUAL REPORT ONLINE FORM (English):
https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form141/index.html?1406294972546

ANNUAL REPORT GUIDE
https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FMCIC-Annual-Report-Guide-2020.pdf

NEW THIS WEEK:

Jacki Barbour – Long Term Care Chaplain: https://fmcic.ca/28272/

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN

Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
Thursdays: Church Health Thursday article share
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
3rd Wednesday of each month: Get the Scoop with Lisa and Alison
4th Thursday of each month: Church Health Thursday 
Wednesday, January 6: Message from Jared Siebert
Wednesday, February 2: Message from Marc McAlister message
Wednesday, March 2: Message from Bishop Cliff

ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
News & Stories 
New Leaf Learning Centre
FM Video Blog
Intercultural Engagement Team

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None at this time

ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES

Wilder Boutin – Centre Biblique Louange a L’Eternel, Montreal, QC – date and time TBA.

Leonard Bruce –    date and location TBA

Erika Mills – Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON – July 25, 2021

Benjamin Platz – Next Church, Kingston, ON – date and time TBA

Douglas Smith – May 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm, Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON

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:
Nov 5-7, 2021 – location TBA

Wesleyan Theology:
Nov 5-7, 2021 – location TBA*

Also available:

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 and Church 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! )

SCHOLARSHIPS

2021 APPLICATIONS   https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PLAN (LSP):

October 15 is the deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the summer/or fall semesters of 2021.  The 2021 application forms and instructions  are now available to download from the link above.  Please use the application forms marked “rev 2021.”

SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS:

October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during the 2021 calendar year – apply online anytime from the link above.  Special Scholarships are awarded in late November/early December each year.

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 attend the fall Minister’s Conferences or the spring Regional Gatherings, add 6 hours of CEU credit for each event when you send in your annual CEU report.

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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing

None at this time

 

Church Profiles available
Contact Davika Dotson in the  Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – davika.dotson@fmcic.ca or 416-240-7845   (deadline to apply in brackets)

Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON [Interim Pastor-Neale Robb]   (March 9)
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON   (March 9)

 

Preparing Profiles

(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Davika in the Leadership Development Office [see above] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.)

Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON (Rev. Alan Adams – Interim Pastor)
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Camp Director – Harbour Ridge Camp
Angelic Treasures Christian Daycare Newmarket – SUPERVISOR