135 years.
That’s how old our Tillsonburg church turned this year and Karlene and I were invited to participate in their anniversary service this past weekend. When Open Arms (Tillsonburg FM) wondered what it would mean to accept responsibility for their community, they realized that God would have them befriend migrant workers from Latin America. For over ten years they have run a drop in center which enjoys the company, offers a meal, clothes and the like to approximately 90 men weekly. They have seen about one hundred and fifty of these men come to Christ!! Don’t miss that detail – heaven has celebrated about one hundred and fifty times because of the work at this drop in centre and is preparing for even more celebrations. At least one family returned to Mexico to start a church!
A small church family has been faithful and Praise God for the fruit! Thank you Open Arms…
Last week I met with some retired ministers to discuss retired ministers. I have learned (because that’s what my first year is about, “learning”) that we have some important steps to take together. I’d like to build a “Retired Ministers Committee” (hereafter “RMC”). Please prayerfully consider being a part of this new committee. The committee will consider and help us implement these areas:
- Preparing ministers for retirement
- Exit interviews
- Ongoing Network involvement
- Ongoing “pastoral” care
- Preparing Ministers for Retirement: Our retiring ministers receive “little to no” support from the FMCIC with regards preparing for their retirement. We propose that the RMC discuss preparation in relation to finances and “expectations” after retirement.
- Exit Interviews: Within a few months of retiring (either shortly before or after?) the RMC will interview the retiring minister and spouse.
- Ongoing Network Involvement: We recommend that retiring ministers continue to attend a network. We understand that it is not always wise or feasible for them to attend their current group. We propose that a Zoom / Skype Retired Ministers’ Network be created. A leader would be appointed and the purpose would be the same as our current networks: a safe environment to share and grow as a minister.
- Ongoing “Pastoral Care”: We believe that ongoing pastoral care and church involvement belongs in the local church. Retiring ministers are responsible to use their gifts, support and fully participate in their local church.
Our retired pastors and families have sacrificed and invested so much into the Kingdom. THANK YOU! Please stay engaged with us, because our church needs Godly mentors to disciple us into this next season…
The British Columbia Regional Gathering at New Heights Community Church is taking place Saturday May 12, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/British-Columbia-Registration-Form-2018.doc
LOCATIONS & DATES
- BRITISH COLUMBIA @ New Heights Community [Mission] May 12, 2018
- ALBERTA @Westpark Church of the Nazarene, 3920 57th Ave. Red Deer, AB [Red Deer] May 26, 2018
- SASKATCHEWAN @ Northview Community Church [Regina] June 2, 2018 *REVISED*
- 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 -7 Ways We Put a Not Welcome Sign on Our Church: https://fmcic.ca/7-ways-we-put-a-not-welcome-sign-on-our-church/New
News & Stories Blog – Everyone Benefits from Internships: https://fmcic.ca/everyone-benfits-from-internships/
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: Kevin Makins – Holy Shift: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-52-kevin-makins-holy-shift/ New
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FMCIC
PHOTO GALLERY
Open Arms 135th Anniversary
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
Rev. Jason Mills – approved to transfer his ordination from Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada into The Free Methodist Church in Canada
Pastor Erika Mills – approved as a Ministerial Candidate and appointed as Co-Pastor (with her husband Jason) at Blue Mountain Community Church in Thornbury, Ontario
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
None
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 1-3, 2018 at Hampton FM Church, Saskatoon, SK
Wesleyan Theology:
June 1-3, 2018 at Holt FM Church, Mount Albert ON
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
6-week online course (FRENCH) – start date TBA June 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
Next course date and location TBA*
(*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
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON
Thunder Bay Free Methodist Church, 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)
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON (May 29)
Madoc Wesleyan/Free Methodist Church, Madoc, ON (May 29)
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK (May 8)
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON (May 8)
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)
Grapeview FMC, St. Catharines, ON (Dan Sheffield – Transition Pastor)
Port Rowan FMC, Port Rowan, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
Functioning with approved local arrangements
Avonlea FMC, Avonlea SK
Campbell’s Bay FMC, Campbell’s Bay, QC (Orville White)
Church On The Hill, Orillia ON (Charles Tanner)
Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON
Eglise Chrétienne Méthodiste Libre de Le Gardeur, QC (Duplan Auguste Lython)
Enterprise FMC, Enterprise, ON
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON (Robert Boutilier)
Killarney FMC, Killarney, MB (Raymond Riglin)
Markham FMC, ON (K.K. Leung)
Roblin FMC, Roblin, MB (Heath Butler)
Surrey FMC, Surrey BC (Nathaniel Prakash)
theStory, Sarnia, ON (Joshua Walters)
Timmins FMC, Timmins, ON (Lewis Byer)
Wesley Chapel Japanese FM Church, Toronto, ON (Misa Mochinaga)
Yarker FMC, Yarker, ON (Ken Babcock)
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
Summer Intern – Wawota FM Church
Worship Coordinator – Arlington Wood Free Methodist Church
Office Administrator – Arlington Wood Free Methodist Church