This past weekend was supposed to be our General Conference. We would have been together to discuss, vote, elect, be inspired and enjoy each other. We would have prayed and practiced being in His presence for the duration of the time together. Instead we are having to plan for an event next year that may or may not be in person. On June 13th all members of conference (delegates and ordained pastors) who would have been at General Conference, will meet by Zoom for approximately one hour.
On June 13 we will check in and you will hear that the Board of Administration and National Leadership Team are wondering about the status of our current 3 Year Ministry Plan. Specifically, we are asking if the current plan is flexible and dynamic enough to continue to be relevant in this new era (post-COVID restrictions).
Your leadership team has to be asking the same question about the current 3 Year Ministry Plan. This coming week the NLT has put together a discussion group to consider this one question: “What are you anticipating being the most important change the church is likely to face in the next 3 years?” I am hoping that your leadership team would also ask this very question, and that you would send me your answers. I am interested in the answers that your team generates. Remember, stick to the one question for the meeting. I would appreciate receiving these sooner than later, so that your leadership team’s responses can inform BOA discussions.
Last Thursday we met for the Prayer Summit. Our guest teachers were Doug and Margie Newton, who led the Free Methodist Church USA prayer ministry. Their teaching was rich (thank you for all the wonderful feedback). They taught for 20 mins and then we prayed in breakout rooms for approximately the same amount of time. It was beautiful making a couple of new friends and praying with them! The Newtons taught again for 20 minutes and we prayed in a new breakout room. We then enjoyed a Q&A time. Over 200 of us participated! The Prayer Summit was also the end of the 40 days of prayer that many of you contributed to and participated in. Thank you, Pastor Ken Roth, our National Prayer Team Leader, and your National Prayer Team for organizing this. FMCIC, do not miss our next Prayer Summit or event – prayer needs to be what we especially learn and lean into in this season…
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Thoughts About the “New Normal”: https://fmcic.ca/thoughts-about-the-new-normal/
News & Stories Blog – The Gift of Sewing: https://fmcic.ca/the-gift-of-sewing/
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: The 2019 New Leaf Advent Reader – : https://www.newleafnetwindork.ca/podcast/
FM VIDEOS: https://fmcic.ca/category/fm-video-blog/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None at this time
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Leonard Bruce – Warkworth, ON – ordination service date TBA
Dani Harris – The Corner Church, Oshawa, ON – ordination service date TBA
Douglas Smith – Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON – ordination service date TBA
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:
June 5-7, 2020 – due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this course will be taught live via Zoom (details will be sent to those who register prior to the course)
November 6-8, 2020 – location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
November 6-8, 2020 – 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:
Course starts October 13 (deadline to register – October 5)
Part One: Oct 13-Nov 5 – advance online engagement
PLUS
Part Two: Nov 6-7 – two-day in-person class – Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON
Personal and Church Stewardship: (NOTE: TUITION WAIVED FOR THIS ONLINE COURSE)
5-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – June 1, 2020
(Note: this class is now full. We are creating a waiting list and if there are enough people, we may consider offering this tuition-free online course again in the early fall. Please register to put your name on the waiting list.)
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early! Note: Tuition payment is not required when registering for a course. Payment is due 10 days before the course begins.)
2020 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the summer and/or fall semesters of 2020. The 2020 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 2020 – 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 attend 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
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, 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)
None at this time
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
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC (Rev. Vern Frudd – Transition Pastor)
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON (Rev. Aaron Birtch – Transition Pastor)
Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Wesley Acres
Ministry Intern – Maple Grove Christian Retreat
