Chapel Ridge FM and a Chaplaincy Opportunity…
This past weekend I celebrated with the Chapel Ridge FM in Stittsville, ON. They have completed a beautifully functional new building. They had to build in order to accommodate the growth (for instance, they had 72 children involved this past Sunday)! What have they done right? My experience Sunday included: greeters high fiving and welcoming warmly; a pre-service prayer group interceding for the corporate worship time; 72 children on the platform singing people in; youth participating in the worship team; a responsive prayer time that pulled no theological punches; and a church family that did not leave after the “benediction” – Pastor Luke tells me that this is the case every week, that they linger long afterwards just to be with each other.
As people donated to the building fund they knew that a percentage would be used to bless another ministry! And Chapel Ridge did all that while continuing to give to Core (Core is our FMCiC commitment to one another to give 10% of our operating income to FMCiC)! PRAYER, generosity, mission-mindedness, empowering leadership, warmth, a commitment to love and support each other, are all essential ingredients in church health. Thank you, Chapel Ridge.
A ministry opportunity to consider: Military Chaplaincy
As you know, the FMCiC has many chaplains who serve in a variety of ministries including hospitals, seniors’ residences, and in the military. We are proud and grateful for each of these chaplains. Padre Robert Lay was recently promoted to Major Robert Lay. He “supervises Chaplains and advises the leadership of base on issues such as morale. He also provides pastoral care to CAF members and their families.” Congratulations Major Bob we are proud of you!
At the Eastern Ministers’ Conference Major Bob, who also happens to be, by marriage, my 2nd cousin, once removed to the power of 10 (Barry Taylor will fill you in on the actual relationship descriptor), invited pastors to consider the following:
We are currently looking for ordained ministers who have a MDiv or at least and MTS degree and sense a calling toward military chaplaincy. There is a physical test that would require a person to run short distances and a lift a 40 lb sandbag a number of times. We can explain more about this for those interested.
The basic training required is challenging but achievable for most people. You would have to demonstrate that you can be flexible and adaptable and work long hours when needed. In basic training you live full time for a number of weeks with other military members and contextualize your life to a military setting for a period of time. You would get up early each day and at times you would work into the evening. You would put family life and other responsibilities on hold while you would complete this phase of training. You do make great friends along the way and have some great stories after you have completed the training. We have two avenues of ministry that could be considered:
- Full time (regular force) would require a person to be prepared to move to a CAF locations and serve there.
- Part time (reserve force) would work for a bi-vocational person or possibly a full time pastor who would have some time in their schedule to serve in the community this way. The basic training for Chaplains would need to completed in the first 2 years of working in a reserve unit. If there is a reserve unit near them they can work 1 night a week and also some extra time that can be arranged with their unit.
If you would like to know more about this exciting and rewarding avenue of ministry feel free to contact me.
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Things Rarely Drift Towards Good and Healthy: https://fmcic.ca/things-rarely-drift-towards-good-healthy-things/
News & Stories Blog – Tell Your Stories: https://fmcic.ca/tell-your-stories/
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: Ep 70 – the Neighbourhood Series – Erinn Oxford: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-70-the-neighbourhood-series-erinn-oxford/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
First FM Church in New Westminster, BC and Rev. Brian Hornibrook are now in transition.
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Rev. Todd Stelmach (Kingston, ON) – ordination service at February 2nd at 4 pm at Rustle Free Methodist Church, Kingston
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 – Ontario location TBA*
November 6-8, 2020 – Western Canada location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
June 5-7, 2020 – location TBA*
November 6-8, 2020 – 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:
Ontario course date and location TBA*
Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course (FRENCH) – start date – TBA
6-week online course (ENGLISH) – June 1, 2020
(* 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/
(Note: The Leadership Scholarship Plan and Special Scholarships are now closed for 2019.)
February 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2020. The 2020 application forms and instructions will soon be 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.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Athens FMC, Athens, ON
Crossroads FMC, Salmon Arm, BC
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
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)
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON (December 3)
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK (December 10)
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.)
Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON (Rev. Aaron Birtch – Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Wesley Acres Christian Retreat Centre
Executive Director – Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist
