Prayer & Prayerfully Prepared Services
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus
We have a few “rest” opportunities for you in the next few months! Obviously, the Saturday October 17 General Conference meeting is not a rest time, and perhaps you feel a little tired about losing some time on a Saturday. I can only say thank you for investing time in us – your church family. All the items on the October 17 agenda have been previously discussed. Actually, the 3 non-World Conference items have been discussed in Regional Gatherings (where you had opportunity to edit and input), Mosaic, Cliff’s Notes, interviews and in less formal settings.
Thursday October 15th, however, is a prayer time. It is our third National Prayer Summit. The first two were well attended. We were challenged forward with Scripture and we prayed together. I’m just not sure what else has to happen in Canada in 2020 for the Church in Canada to lean desperately into the eternity-sized privilege and responsibility of prayer?!
Tearfund Sunday (formerly “World Relief Sunday”) is fast approaching. They have sent you materials for this, however, Don Miller, from Tearfund, Adam Kline, Intercultural Engagement Team Leader, and myself will also have a full service prepared for you to use on a Sunday of your choice. There will be a message, prayer and worship songs. Our thinking is, perhaps your pastors and service-teams would like a Sunday off, before the busy Advent season.
Finally, pastors, you know that Sunday right after Christmas, when you just aren’t sure who will be attending and you are feeling tired? Well, the National Leadership Team will be preparing a service for you to use on that week (if you would like). It’ll be a full plug and play package so that again, your leaders can have time off.
To our local church leadership teams, I appreciate that you are feeling a little disoriented and some of you are weary because of this season. I know the pain or concern of wondering if you are being effective in this strange season. Remember, you can call me or any National Leadership Team member, your Regional Coach, we have funds for counseling, perhaps you should consider a Spiritual Director, take a two-day retreat, and make use of these prepared Sunday services. You are loved…
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Like You: https://fmcic.ca/like-you/
News & Stories Blog – St. Joseph Island’s FMC Building Reopens – https://fmcic.ca/st-joseph-island-fmcs-building-reopens/
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: The 2019 New Leaf Advent Reader – : https://www.newleafnetwindork.ca/podcast/
FM VIDEOS: https://fmcic.ca/category/fm-video-blog/
Get The Scoop Video: https://fmcic.ca/september-23-2020-get-the-scoop/
Pastor Retreats
Here’s some exciting news! The directory of Pastor Retreat Locations is now being maintained by the Education & Clergy Department of The Wesleyan Church.
This site about 10 years ago as a collection of free and low-cost retreats and vacations for pastors. Over the years, these pages have been used by tens of thousands of visitors seeking a respite from pastoral ministry.
The site now contains more than 200 facilities in 38 U.S. states and 9 other countries.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None at this time
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Leonard Bruce – October 25, 2020 at 11:00 am, Warkworth FM Church, Warkworth, ON
Douglas Smith – October 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm, Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON
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 – 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:
Course starts October 13 (deadline to register – October 5)
Part One: Oct 13-Nov 5 – advance online engagement
PLUS
Part Two: Nov 6-7 – two-day in-person class – Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON
Personal and Church Stewardship: (NOTE: TUITION WAIVED FOR THIS ONLINE COURSE)
5-week online course (ENGLISH) – October 5, 2020
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early! )
2020 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the summer and/or fall semesters of 2020. The 2020 application forms and instructions are now 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 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
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Angelic Treasures Christian Daycare Newmarket – SUPERVISOR
Associate Pastor: Youth, Young Adults & Social Media – Barrie Free Methodist Church
