Karlene and I enjoyed very much the warm welcome we received by the Westport congregation on Sunday morning.
Westport FM is asking the big question: “how do we accept responsibility for our community?” They seem quite motivated to discover what God would have for them. As I met with some of their leaders I was reminded that the ingredients required include: prayer, discipleship, community engagement and unity (nurturing genuine love for one another, not just attendance at events).
Speaking of community engagement, I have attached an article about our Harrowsmith FM. They raised $6000 for 24 backpacks to support a ministry that is working with the local police in their efforts to end human trafficking. Human trafficking in Kingston Ontario! One of our “Free’s” (in Free Methodism) is about dealing with injustice right?! Thank you Harrowsmith for being involved in something as important as this. Thank you for being a positive community presence. Thank you for embracing this important “Free” in Free Methodism. If any of you would like to explore this further, I refer you to Harrowsmith and to the Set Free Movement (a FM initiative that contends with slavery).
On Sunday afternoon, I presided over Cathleen Getchell’s ordination service. The now Reverend Getchell invited neighbours to this event – it seems to me that ordination services are generally historically “church family meetings”. But Pastor Cathleen didn’t get that memo.
Praise The Lord!
She made use of the opportunity to invite people who have not yet even attended on a Sunday morning – and they came! Many. It was a wonderful celebration of God’s plan for the church and in particular for Kingscourt FM.
Also on Sunday, Rev. Nathan Umazekabiri, on my behalf, welcomed Pastor Andre Borgelin into FMCIC. According to Pastor Nathan it was a wonderful celebration in this Quebec church. Welcome Pastor Andre! See pictures attached.
Four sleeps left before a very important and sacred annual celebration: Father’s Day Eve. It’s a big event in my house – well, mostly it’s been me trying to convince my kids that it is a legitimate big event, that does actually involve hanging a Father’s Day stocking over the fireplace! Also four sleeps to the Regional Gathering hosted by Wesley Chapel this Saturday.
Prayerfully consider this week what Bible verse God would have you pray over your church family, and do the same for FMCIC. And then pray those verses over your church family and FMCIC.
The Central Ontario-East GTA Regional Gathering at Wesley Chapel FM Church is taking place Saturday June 16, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Wesley-Chapel-Registration-Form-2018-1.doc
The Manitoba Regional Gathering at Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, Brandon, MB is taking place Saturday June 23, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Manitoba-Registration-Form-2018.doc
- CENTRAL ONTARIO- EAST GTA @ Wesley Chapel FM Church [Ontario] – June 16, 2018 *NEW*
- 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 – Church Growth: Creativity and Resilience in Making Healthy Congregations: https://fmcic.ca/creativity-and-resilience-in-making-healthy-congregations/ New
News & Stories Blog – Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church steps up in fight against human trafficking: https://fmcic.ca/harrowsmith-free-methodist-church-steps-up-in-fight-against-human-trafficking/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: Jeff and Jan Steckley – Contemplative practice, second half of life & the art of starting: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-53-jeff-and-jan-steckley-contemplative-practice-second-half-of-life-the-art-of-starting/ New
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
PHOTO GALLERY
Rev. Andre Borgelin Transfer In Service
Cathleen Getchell Ordination Service
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
None
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
Dave Moriarity, Almonte, Ontario – ordination service on October 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm, Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON
Brent Steeves, Sarnia, Ontario – ordination service date and time TBA
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
November 2-4, 2018 in Ontario (location TBA*)
Wesleyan Theology:
June 7-9, 2019 – location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Théologie de Wesley
6 au 8 juillet 2018 à l’Église Méthodiste Libre de Rosemont, Montréal, QC
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
6-week online course (FRENCH) – Fall 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
*NEW* Course starts October 9, 2018
Advance online engagement: Oct 9-Nov 1 / In-class: Nov 2-3 at a local FM Church in Ontario (TBA)
(deadline to register – October 4)
(*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
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON
Thunder Bay FMC, Thunder Bay, ON
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, 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)
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK (June 12)
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON (July 24)
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)
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON (Tom Gurnick – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
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
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Worship Coordinator – Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church
Office Administrator – Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church