I have been reading about “meals” in Scripture, most recently in David Fitch’s Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission. A couple of our churches are using this book in a sermon series and Bible study and it is a very substantial read. Jesus ate with people who were not yet followers, in fact He even invited Himself over on occasion, and His disciples did so as well. It was over a meal that two grieving followers’ eyes were open after the resurrection and they recognized Jesus! To the “lukewarm” church in Laodicea Jesus said that if only they would open the “door” He would come in and “eat” with them.
I know that a few of our churches have set up tables rather than just rows of seats, during Sunday corporate worship times. I won’t say much more about the spiritual opportunity we have in a shared meal, or how Jesus engaged fully into this cultural practice, or what the Lord’s table could mean in evangelism-discipleship, rather I’ll allow you the time to consider all this – leaders use your sanctified imagination!.
John Vlainic sent out this link to a meaningful commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDuA9OPyp6I
I think that shared meals, is a lost art. I am obviously loving the eating I get to do with you all in our visits! It gives us time to sit and simply talk. Very few of us invite others to our homes for a meal after church. Too seldom are older believers inviting younger ones out for a bite. I believe that this may well be one of the most important contributions that you can make to your church life: eating with others and inviting more into those times. Here’s an idea: invite someone new-to-you, someone younger, someone not-yet-a-believer out [or over] for a meal once per month… Un-busy yourself enough to be able to find time to eat with others… Evangelism-discipleship.
Last weekend I was with Arlington Woods FM in Ottawa – my first church family. It was good to be with them and to hear of the great steps Pastor Mike and their leaders are taking to move forward. They had 17 couples register for the marriage Alpha! This past Sunday Karlene and I, on Resurrection Sunday, worshiped with the Richmond Hill FM Church – it was a joint service of the Chinese and English congregations that meet in that building. They are yet another congregation asking good questions about what God has in store for them next (they are in transition) and anticipating what that will look like!
The Northern Ontario Regional Gathering at St. Joseph Island FM Church is taking place Saturday April 7, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/St.-Joseph-Island-Registration-Form-2018.doc
The Central Ontario/North & East GTA Regional Gathering at Wesley Chapel FM Church is taking place Saturday April 14, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Wesley-Chapel-Registration-Form-2018.doc
LOCATIONS & DATES
- NORTHERN ONTARIO @ St. Joseph Island FMC, 1589 Hilton Road, Hilton Beach ON [St. Joseph’s Island] April 7, 2018
- CENTRAL ONTARIO – NORTH & EAST GTA @Wesley Chapel, 2385 Warden Ave, Scarborough, ON [Toronto] – April 14, 2018
- NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO @ Dryden FMC, 261 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, ON [Dryden] April 28, 2018
- BRITISH COLUMBIA @ New Heights Community [Mission] May 12, 2018
- ALBERTA @Westpark Church of the Nazarene, 3920 57th Ave. Red Deer, AB [Red Deer] May 26, 2018
- SASKATCHEWAN @ Arlington Beach Camp [Cymric] June 2, 2018
- MANITOBA @ Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 3550 Victoria Ave, Brandon, MB [Brandon] – June 23, 2018
Please see the website for more details – https://fmcic.ca/regional-gatherings-2018/
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – The Value of a Coach: https://fmcic.ca/the-value-of-a-coach/ New
News & Stories Blog – Easter Day Devotional : https://fmcic.ca/easter-day-devotional/ New
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 Podcast: Kevin Makins – Holy Shift: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-52-kevin-makins-holy-shift/ New
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FMCIC
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PHOTO GALLERY
Easter Sunday at Richmond Hill FM Church
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
None
SCHOLARSHIPS
The next deadline is October 15, 2018 to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for courses taken during both the spring/summer and fall semesters of 2018.
October 15 is also the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships.
Here is the link for both types of scholarships: https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 1-3, 2018 at Hampton FM Church, Saskatoon, SK
Wesleyan Theology:
June 1-3, 2018 at Holt FM Church, Mount Albert ON
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
8-week online course (FRENCH) – begins April 9, 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
Next course date and location TBA*
(*these locations will be selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
Registration is online for all courses at this link: https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/. Those tracking for credentialed ministry should take the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology if possible.
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Madoc Wesleyan/Free Methodist Church, Madoc, ON
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK
Thunder Bay Free Methodist Church, Thunder Bay, ON
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON
Church Profiles available
Contact Susan DePlanché in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] or 289-228-1225.
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON (deadline April 3)
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON (deadline April 10)
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC (May 1)
Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON (deadline April 3)
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Susan in the Leadership Development Office [[email protected] or 289-228-1225] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.)
Athens FMC, Athens, ON (Angel Valentin-Transition Pastor)
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON (Hanford Branscombe-Interim Pastor)
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON (Tom Gurnick – Interim Pastor)
Grapeview FMC, St. Catharines, ON (Dan Sheffield – Transition Pastor)
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON
Richmond Hill FMC (English & Chinese), Richmond Hill, ON
Tabernacle de la Grace, Montreal QC
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
Functioning with approved local arrangements
Avonlea FMC, Avonlea SK
Campbell’s Bay FMC, Campbell’s Bay, QC (Orville White)
Church On The Hill, Orillia ON (Charles Tanner)
Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON
Eglise Chrétienne Méthodiste Libre de Le Gardeur, QC (Duplan Auguste Lython)
Enterprise FMC, Enterprise, ON
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON (Robert Boutilier)
Killarney FMC, Killarney, MB (Raymond Riglin)
Markham FMC, ON (K.K. Leung)
Roblin FMC, Roblin, MB (Heath Butler)
Surrey FMC, Surrey BC (Nathaniel Prakash)
theStory, Sarnia, ON (Joshua Walters)
Timmins FMC, Timmins, ON (Lewis Byer)
Wesley Chapel Japanese FM Church, Toronto, ON (Misa Mochinaga)
Yarker FMC, Yarker, ON (Ken Babcock)
PASTORS IN TRANSITION
Glen Coates
David Greene
Kim Henderson
Jason Johnson
Fred Merritt
Jay Mowchenko
Derek Spink
Chad Vankoughnett
Grant Wolfe
Mary-Elsie Wolfe
Wesley Wood
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Associate Pastor of Next Generations – Trulls Road FM Church
Director of Youth Ministry – Trulls Road FM Church
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Associate Pastor – Barrie FM Church
Cadet Chaplain – Vernon, BC
Summer Intern – Wawota FM Church
Worship Coordinator – Arlington Wood Free Methodist Church
