Ministers\’ Conference Week
Some very good things to report! This past weekend I met with a local Church board to discern vision, and to begin to develop a Ministry Plan. They were very aware of the challenges that all of us are experiencing in this season, but when we discussed the title of the chapter of this season in their Church family (which is a helpful step in discernment), it was a hopeful theme – there was a sense of anticipation! I find myself hearing the theme of “hope” in the FMCiC’s next chapter.
Sunday I was with our Bracebridge Church and lead the induction service for their new pastor Brent Hargreaves – welcome Brent to FMCiC!
On Monday I met and prayed with 5 other denominational leaders, who have become good friends and very helpful to me in learning to navigate national leadership. Would you be surprised to hear that they are dealing with all of the issues that we are, and asking the same questions we are? We remembered together that our role is to call the Church to stay focussed on the Gospel – to keep our eyes on Jesus.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, pastors and chaplains are meeting for our annual Ministers’ Conference. Pray for your FMCiC pastors and chaplains. Finally, Thursday is national Truth and Reconciliation Day, and your Intercultural Engagement Team has prepared a national 37-minute service. Please take time on Thursday to view the service.
Rev. Adam Kline, the IET leader described the service this way:
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/
Coffee with Jared: https://vimeo.com/
Mystery Beverage with Marc: https://vimeo.com/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
ORDINATION SERVICES
October 3 at 2:00 PM – Blake Found – Pine Orchard Camp, Cedar Valley, ON (to attend please register here: https://forms.gle/6pjN6GXRBHPjw3YM8)
October 24 at 3:00 pm – Jessica Isaak – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
November 7 at 2:30 pm – Leonard Bruce – Peterborough FMC, Peterborough, ON
November 21 at 3:00 pm – Wilder Boutin – Église Vie d’Espoir, 35, av. Marien, Montréal-Est, QC
Date and time TBA:
Erika Mills – location TBA
Benjamin Platz – Next Church, Kingston, ON
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/
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:
2022 date and location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
7-week course on Tuesday evenings 7:30-9:30 pm EDT via Zoom starting Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Also available:
- Tyndale University: https://www.tyndale.ca/
seminary/course/theo-0629
- 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:
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
2021 APPLICATIONS https://fmcic.ca/
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/
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
None
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)
Prince Albert, SK – Cornerstone FMC [part-time] (Oct 5)
Simcoe, ON – Cedar Street Community Church [part-time] (Oct 5)
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
Harrowsmith, ON – Harrowsmith FMC (Pastor Keith Deyo-Interim Pastor)
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)
Saskatoon, SK – Lakeview FMC
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FMC
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
