Leaders pay attention to two events this week: Prayer Summit and Soul Care Retreat.
Pastors please make sure that your Prayer Point Person or a rep is present this Thursday as we discuss the nuts and bolts of developing a prayer ministry. This is a free event on Thursday evening (be sure to register here). It is essential that FMCIC learns how to pray together! I’m not sure what else 2020 needs to dish out in order for the Church in Canada to jump into the eternally deep river of prayer!
The second opportunity this week for leaders is a soul care event. I asked Jared Siebert, Director of Church Planting about this event:
Bishop Cliff: Jared, New Leaf has an important event planned for leaders this week. First of all is it just for leaders?
Jared: Yes, we wanted to address the specific stressors that church leaders are feeling at this particular moment.
Bishop Cliff: What’s the purpose of the event?
Jared: The goal is to reconnect our leaders with God through contemplative prayer practices. We want to give pastors and leaders the chance to do a retreat that they don’t have to plan, that they don’t have to drive to, and that they don’t have to schedule around. This can happen when it works in your schedule and you can go at your own pace.
Bishop Cliff: What if I’m busy Tuesday afternoon can I still participate?
Jared: Yes, you can! We are recording it. That might not sound very retreat like but since this is a guided contemplative prayer retreat the main attraction isn’t a speaker or group dialogue but the chance to spend time with Jesus. So, whenever the two of you are ready you can go ahead and participate
(Editor’s note: by “two of you” he meant Jesus and you – and I assure you, Jesus is already longing for this time with you!)
Bishop Cliff: It does cost and could count for professional development but what if I can’t afford the full amount?
Jared: In the spirit of Pandemic Grace this is a pay-what-you-can retreat. We don’t want finances to be a barrier.
Bishop Cliff: How do I sign up?
Jared: Follow this link: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/events/soul-care-retreat-for-ministry-leaders/
Thank you, New Leaf for organizing this. Let me insert a BTW: you just read that this event is for leaders, having said that, I would encourage you (leader or not) to consider seeking out Spiritual Direction. A Spiritual Director is not the same as a counselor or pastor. They are particularly gifted in the area of coming alongside you, in order to help you discern, hear, see God speaking, acting, calling you. I may be able to help you find one… I have appreciated having one!
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – I Went to Church: https://fmcic.ca/i-went-to-church/
News & Stories Blog – The Job of a Prison Chaplain – https://fmcic.ca/the-work-of-a-prison-chaplain/
New Leaf Learning Centre: Factions, Division and Competition – https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/events/factions-division-competition/
FM VIDEOS: https://fmcic.ca/category/fm-video-blog/
Intercultural Engagement Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IETfmcic
SCOD: Topics Worth Thinking About – https://fmcic.ca/topics-worth-thinking-about/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New members appointed to the National MEGaP committee, effective October 23:
Ontario Region:
Rev David Moriarity
Mrs. Jennifer Lay
Rev. Kevin Stenhouse
Pacific-Western Region:
Mrs. BJ Hand
Mr. Matt Isaak
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Leonard Bruce – April 25, 2021, Warkworth FM Church, Warkworth, ON
Douglas Smith – May 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm, Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON
Wilder Boutin – Centre Biblique Louange a L’Eternel, Montreal, QC – date and time TBA.
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:
November 6-8, 2020 – in-person course cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.
*NEW* – 6-week course via Zoom starting Thursday, January 21, 7:30-9:30 pm EST
Wesleyan Theology:
Date and 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:
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):
February 15 is the deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2021. The 2021 application forms and instructions will be available soon to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2021.”
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS:
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
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 (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Harrowsmith FM Church, Harrowsmith, ON
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON (Rev. Gary Denniss-Interim Pastor)
New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON
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)
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre
Angelic Treasures Christian Daycare Newmarket – SUPERVISOR
