People of Peace
On the General Conference weekend, I reminded us of the opportunity for the FMCiC to become a People of Peace. Let me offer you some starting places:
- Begin to develop a Biblical definition of “peace”. You will discover that shalom is exactly the right gift that the Church can extend to a broken Canada. Remember, the clearer your understanding of peace, the easier it will be to live it out in your community. The clearer the definition, the easier it will be to create ministry corresponding to the peace mandate. Do this as leadership teams and then create a worksheet for small groups, and make sure all members know your definition.
- Essential components of peace are forgiveness and reconciliation. Churches need to be experts on forgiveness and reconciliation, however, not just experts but practitioners of forgiveness and reconciliation. Can you think of the many reasons this has to be true for the Church? Pastors, take time to develop a forgiveness class or preaching series. Regularly check in with each other as a church to make sure that all relationships are in a right place (e.g. Communion services, Wesley’s “Love Feast”, special prayer times). I have a forgiveness tool (workbook) that I give out regularly in discipleship relationships, and would certainly send to you, to work out with a friend.
- Another essential ingredient in a Biblical definition of peace is hospitality. Do a thorough Bible study on the concept of hospitality. Like forgiveness and reconciliation, create church-wide resources to fully understand this Biblical mandate. Challenge each other to practice Biblical hospitality. Our own Rev. Dr. Dale Harris has done some very good scholarship in this particular area, that is worth your reading.
- Identify “peace” opportunities in your community, nationally and internationally. Ask prayerfully and each other, how you can extend peace to others. It may be as simple as attending a Powwow, learning French, inviting a neighbour over who is from a different faith tradition, engaging in the international student ministry “invite a student over for dinner”, reading (or watching) one of the resources recommended by our Racial Justice & Ethnic Equity Task force. Our intercultural Engagement Team has several other resources that you should consider.
- Share what you are learning with the rest of us! Invite us to join you when appropriate.
WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK:
General Conference Sunday Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsWN1Ygca_s&feature=youtu.be
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
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
Message from Bishop Cliff: https://vimeo.com/518725147
Coffee with Jared: https://vimeo.com/533730644
Mystery Beverage with Marc: https://vimeo.com/504427854
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None at this time
ORDINATION SERVICES
Wilder Boutin – date and time TBA – Centre Biblique Louange a L’Eternel, Montreal, QC
Leonard Bruce – date, time and location TBA
Kathleen Casement – September 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm – Verona FMC, Verona, ON
Blake Found – date and time TBA – Uxbridge FMC, Uxbridge, ON
Jessica Isaak – date and time TBA – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
Tyler Lane – date and time TBA – Trulls Rd FMC, Courtice, ON
Erika Mills – July 25, 2021, time TBA – Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON
Benjamin Platz – Date and Time TBA – Next Church, Kingston, ON
Douglas Smith – August 1, 2021 at 1:00 pm, Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON
COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Alyson Lauber – Date and time TBA – Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK
Nathaniel Prakash – Date and time TBA – Surrey FMC, Surrey, BC
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:
- Tyndale University: https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/course/theo-0629
- FMC-USA as a 7-week intensive online course with several start dates: 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:
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):
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.
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:
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 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
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON
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)
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON (July 6)
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.)
Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON
Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Frankford Community Church, Frankford, ON
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
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Kids Pastor – Lakview Church
Camp Director – Harbour Ridge Camp
Summer Research Student – Bramalea FM Church
