Gauging your Health
In the past I have described how I use “gauges” to journal my health and check in with my accountability partner.[1] I literally draw three gauges on the top of the page of my journal. By the way, do you know the difference between a diary and a Christian journal? A diary is a writing exercise, directed to ourselves and perhaps for others to read one day. The type of journal that I encourage you to use is for prayer. I address every entry to God (“Dear God” or I use another Biblical name for Him) so that the entry is a prayer, and therefore it means something. Most of my entries are short. I use the journal to help me to focus, because I can get very distracted. Years ago, my friend and teacher said that we should write on the front of our journal, “Now I lay down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, but if I should die before I wake, I pray you throw this journal in the lake!”
The three gauges I use are labeled Physical, Spiritual and Mental.[2] They overlap in scope, but these gauges help me to pay attention to my health. Generally, I only draw these gauges every few months. If each gauge is in the same place four months from now then I need to make note of that. If in another four months they are in the same place or worse than I need to act on that in order to move to a healthier space. My accountability partner has a tool to help me to remember and call me to account.
I draw the three circles, set the indicator arrow between empty and full, and then in bullet points underneath write any noteworthy reasons or causes for my arrow placement.
I am wondering if this could be a healthy exercise for small groups, leadership teams and families?! Try it. Part of the conversation is not only about your current situation but also about your hopes. For instance, a family member may indicate that their physical gauge is at a ¼ tank. Your question could be, what steps will you take to help move that gauge towards health. Another member might indicate that their spiritual gauge is at ½ tank. Your question might be, “tell me about that” or “where would you like the gauge to be?” and “Which direction is the fuel gauge in?” Another family member might draw the mental gauge low. You should ask about R.I.C.E. (relationships, intellectual health, creativity and emotions). Some children may use emojis in order to help describe what low feelings they are having. At the end of your check-ins with one another you could pray.
My friends, in a journal or on a stickie in your Bible, where are you in the gauges? I’ll check in again with you in 6 months!
NEW THIS WEEK:
Get the Scoop: https://vimeo.com/502332242
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
Thursdays: Church Health Thursday article share
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
Wednesday, January 6: Message from Jared Siebert
Wednesday, February 2: Message from Marc McAlister message
Wednesday, March 2: Message from Bishop Cliff
ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
News & Stories
New Leaf Learning Centre
FM Video Blog
Intercultural Engagement Team
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Leonard Bruce – date and location TBA
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:
Nov 5-7, 2021 – location TBA
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 are now available 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.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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 – [email protected] 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
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON (Rev. Gary Denniss-Interim Pastor)
New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)
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)
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Camp Director – Harbour Ridge Camp
Angelic Treasures Christian Daycare Newmarket – SUPERVISOR
