CliffsNotes – November 23, 2021

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Have you heard of the ministry called “Embrace Grace” (their website explains, that they “help women and men experiencing unplanned pregnancies find a place of belonging within the church through support groups”)? Rice Road FM is running this and have already seen beautiful spiritual fruit. Thank you Rice Road!

Cam Taylor, an FMCiC pastor at New Heights Community Church, recently created a grief support class. Cam explains that this comes out of significant loss that he has experienced. Thank you, Cam, for allowing God to use terrible times in order to offer hope and healing to others. Visit the website.

I just listened to a new podcast out of the Barrie FM. It is hosted by two under 25-year-old members (my nephew and my daughter!) and the associate pastor at BFMC. It is a deep dive into Bible stories. (to check out their first episode, click here)
I love that Gen Z is engaging in this. In fact, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada ran a survey with 3,000 people, and then did it again with 3,000 more people because they were surprised by the results! Across Canada, EFC has determined that 25% of those who attended church pre-COVID will not be returning to church – ever. The exception is Gen Z (those born from 1997-2012). This young generation is spiritually hungry and motivated. Thank you BFMC!

I mention these because despite the season we are in, there is still meaningful, creative, healing, teaching and good news sharing ministry. I could mention so many more that you have told me about: thriving youth ministry, pickleball, food baskets, community art show, archery, and more! Thank you FMCiC! It will take PRAYER in order to discern God’s vision for you. Then it’ll take ENERGIZED, MOTIVATED MEMBERS OF YOUR LOCAL CHURCH. We are tired, and somehow, we need to take healthy steps to be rejuvenated. Obviously, you should talk in your churches about sleep (8 hours my friends), exercise, and healthy diets. Next, we need to encourage prayerful CREATIVITY to solve or engage in ministry initiatives. And it will take COURAGE. I pray all these things for you – for us.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of presiding over Pastor Wilder Boutin\’s ordination service in Montréal.  Below are some photos taken during the ceremony.

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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
March 20  – Alyson Lauber – time & location TBA

Date and time TBA:
Erika Mills – location TBA
Benjamin Platz – Next Church, Kingston, ON

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:
June 4-6 2022 location TBA*

Wesleyan Theology:
June 4-6 2022 location TBA*

Also available:

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:
2022 Date and location TBA*

Personal and Church Stewardship: 
5-week online course – 2022 Start Date TBA
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)

SCHOLARSHIPS

2022 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.

February 15 is the deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2022.  The 2022 application forms and instructions will soon be available to download from the link above.  Please use the application forms marked “rev 2022.”


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 2022 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

Harrowsmith, ON – Harrowsmith FMC
Prince Albert, SK – Cornerstone FMC
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church

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)

Saskatoon, SK – Lakeview FMC [full-time] (Nov 30)
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FMC [full-time] (Jan 11)

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, ON – Campbellford FMC, (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FMC
Frankford, ON – Frankford Community Church
Hamilton, ON – Rymal Road Community Church
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FMC (Rev. David Griggs-Interim Pastor)
New Westminster, BC – First FMC
Oshawa, ON – The Corner Church (Free Methodist / Church of the Nazarene)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Sarnia, ON – New Horizons Community Church (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Associate Pastor of Youth and Outreach – Trulls Road FMC