CliffsNotes – November 24, 2020

Last weekend I was with the Smith Falls FM for Pastor Aaron’s induction service. It was good to be there in person. Of course, when I arrived early the worship team was playing, I assumed they were practicing, but when I finally paid attention amongst all the happy greetings I was enjoying with people, I noticed that the worship team was not practicing but already fully engaged in worship. It made me stop and pray! Despite the happy murmur in the sanctuary of people coming in and chatting, the worship team was setting a table for us. Thank you Smith Falls and welcome Aaron and Tracey into FMCIC – very glad that God led you to us!

This past weekend I traveled up to Barrie FM. Again, it was so good to be in person, and in such a worshipful setting. Maria, the worship leader did not know what passage or theme I was speaking from, but her invitation into worship was exactly the theme and the songs chosen were exactly right – as if it was orchestrated!! Pastor Jennifer has been leading a Facebook Live morning “devo” every weekday throughout COVID. She has a regular and significant following, many actually watch her devo live at 7:00 AM each morning, and then others watch the recorded version later on in the day. Most of the devos so far have been in her kayak, though obviously that has had to stop – last week I tuned in, and she was in her furnace room for her talk! These devos are about connection in a time when we are desperate for connection. The devos are also about journeying with a congregation daily: daily helping her church family be with Jesus, this according to the Communication Director at the Barrie Church (who also happens to be my daughter). She is an example of a pastor who has read her context and led exceptionally well through this season. Thanks Barrie and Pastor Jennifer.

I appreciate that many can not attend Sunday morning gatherings, in fact in Toronto they are not supposed to attend because the city is in lock down. But that does not mean that we shouldn’t be finding other meaningful times together to worship, pray and chat. In person meetings are obviously our first choice, but what can it look like not in person? How can we in this season develop a prayer ministry for each other? What could we do so that each of us can experience what Paul described for Timothy, the “laying on of hands”? Being heard deeply (deep listening to someone) and personal prayer would solve the COVID spike in divorce rate, mental health, suicide and substance abuse rates. How could you and your church implement this?

By the way, what is “deep listening to someone”? It is giving your full attention to someone, so that they feel heard. It is listening by asking questions, and not just offering solutions to their problems. It is noticing with them what God seems to be up to in their lives. It should not be a causality of COVID…

 


MEDIA CONNECTIONS 

Church Health Thursdays – I Went to Church: https://fmcic.ca/i-went-to-church/
News & Stories Blog – The Story Continues – https://fmcic.ca/the-story-continues/

New Leaf Learning Centre: Wrapping Up the Season – https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/events/falling-forward-wrapping-up-the-season/
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/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

None this week


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:
*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