CliffsNotes – November 10, 2020

If I were to ask you to pray right now, how would you begin your prayer: “Dear _______…”? Funny how we have a ‘go-to’ name, even though the Bible is filled with wonderful names for God. Take a moment and list names for God in the Bible. Take your time, and do this not as an exercise in Bible knowledge, but as prayer. As you remember another Biblical name for God, linger on that name for a moment. Remember the quality or character trait associated, and eternal significance that particular name has. Be thankful, before you move on to the next name.

What Biblical name for God did you find yourself most compelled to? Was there a Biblical name for God that you, right now, don’t feel quite comfortable with? For instance, in Job 38 there is a poetic reference to God being in charge of the heavenly storehouses of snow and hail. I’m pretty sure that our Saskatoon and Regina friends aren’t feeling ‘warm’ towards God the keeper of the snow storehouses. More seriously, I counseled someone who resisted God as “Father”, because of her personal story with her dad; instead she loved to pray to “Jesus”.

Karlene and I have names, nicknames, and pet names for each other that have particular contexts: “sweetie” when I need help; “Clifford” when I bug her; etc. (as if I would give you the good ones!). Likewise, with God there are seasons, times, contexts, or circumstances when a particular name for God is more meaningful. We relate to Him as Comforter in grief times, or as Provider in crisis, or as Almighty God when we are afraid. Each name for God is a promise about how He may relate and respond to your situation. This is not to say that we had better have at our disposal a list so that we pray the right name at the right time! Not at all, but to know His names is to know how He desires (and is able) to relate to you!

Jesus named His disciples, for instance Simon became Peter. In the book of Revelation, we are told that God has a new name for us. Actually, take a moment and think about the many renaming moments in the Bible. There is something intimate, beautiful, transformative, mission-ful in these stories. God clearly assigns spiritual significance to names, and this includes the many names used in His Word to describe or approach Him. We do not rename God, as He does us, but we can experience something more about Him in each of His names.

I am feeling especially drawn lately to “Creator”. He creates in me a clean heart. He creates a new song, new day, and new wine. In a season when there seems to be increased restrictions, uncertainty, tension, mental health issues, substance abuse, marital stress (or worse), weariness, He continues to be Creator God! He still is the God of “newness”. Something quite hopeful and refreshing in that.


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: The Personal & Lived Experiences of the “Dones” – https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/events/falling-forward-dones/
FM VIDEOS: https://fmcic.ca/category/fm-video-blog/
Intercultural Engagement Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IETfmcic
SCOD: Topics Worth Thinking Abouthttps://fmcic.ca/topics-worth-thinking-about/
The Scoop: October Edition


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. Dan Massey – Lead Pastor at Pine Grove FMC, Seeley’s Bay, ON – appointed as Regional Coach-Eastern Ontario (1 day/week), replacing Rev. Roxanne Goodyear, effective November 15


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 – [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
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