A Great Question
The central question is, Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to look at God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word, and to taste fully God’s infinite goodness? ~ In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen
I said “yes” out loud when I read this, and then ‘heard’ this in my spirit: “Tell ME, Cliff, what will this actually look like in your life this week?”
I thought that I would invite you into the very same question: Church, what will it look like in your week:
- To truly be a man or woman of God (abundant life, free indeed)
- Ardently desire to dwell in God’s presence (but not just desire but pursue)
- To listen to God’s voice
- To look at God’s beauty
- To touch God’s incarnate Word
- To taste fully God’s infinite goodness
This is not a checklist to make you feel like you come up short as a believer; rather, this is an invitation from your Father.
Crisis in India
FMCiC sent $5000 to India this week, through Tearfund. This became $10, 000 through the gift match program. https://tearfund.ca/covidcrisisindia-churchresources/
But there is still more to be done. Here is some information:
Attend the Pastor’s Webinar
Join us on Tuesday, May 4th OR Thursday May 6th to learn how your congregation can partner with local churches in India to help families survive and shine the love of Christ. You will hear from Tearfund CEO, Wayne Johnson, and Director of Church Relations, Don Miller, as they explore areas of need and ask any questions you might have.
Church Resources for Sunday Morning
We have created a number of resources to help your church learn about the crisis and how to help during this time. Please click below to view them all and download.
If there is something that you need, please let us know and we will be happy to help.
Overview Video
The short video below provides a brief overview of the crisis and how you can respond as a Canadian congregation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yktLc7jWhQ&t=22s
The NLT is encouraging all pastors, delegates, and leaders to register for New Leaf’s Transforming Polarized Conversations. This 4-week learning experience, in partnership with conflict, change and leadership specialist Dr. Betty Pries will offer a practical and engaging learning experience, offering tools and practices for transforming polarized conversations.
Thursday May 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th @ 1:30pm EDT.
To register: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/events/transforming-polarized-conversations
French translation will be available for this webinar. If you would like the Zoom link and instructions on how to access the French audio, please email admin@newleafnetwork.ca.
Session 1 May 6th: Riding the Curve of Change
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the church in Canada was being rocked by diverse forces of social change. During seasons of change, it is common for perspectives to polarize and for people to struggle with talking well with one another. This session will consider the change curve, its implications for the church and congregational life and what a “staircase” out of this curve may look like.
WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK
Building Loving, Caring Relationships in the Church by Marc McAlister: https://fmcic.ca/building-loving-caring-relationships-in-the-church/
Get the Scoop: https://vimeo.com/542414953
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 this week.
ORDINATION SERVICES
Wilder Boutin – date and time TBA – Centre Biblique Louange a L’Eternel, Montreal, QC
Leonard Bruce – date, time and location TBA
Jessica Isaak – date and time TBA – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
Blake Found – date and time TBA – Uxbridge FMC, Uxbridge, 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:
- May 7 to June 25 – hybrid online/livestream course – “John Wesley’s Theology” [THEO 0629H] at Tyndale University with instructor Rev. Dr. James Pedlar: https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/summer/courses/theo-0629h
- through 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
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON [Interim Pastor-Neale Robb]
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)
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON (June 1)
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (June 1)
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)
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
Youth and Young Adult Ministries Associate Pastor – Barrie FM Church
Kids Pastor – Lakview Church
Camp Director – Harbour Ridge Camp
