CliffsNotes – June 26, 2018

Manitoba, thank you for hosting our last Regional Gathering! We started across the country on March 3rd in Quebec and ended in Brandon, Manitoba.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect: what kind of questions would you ask, what concerns would you raise, what the enthusiasm-level would be and how well attended would they be? I was pleasantly surprised: we had honest, open conversations, and you readily stepped into prayer with brothers and sisters you did not necessarily know, you asked important questions, you offered good input. You seemed to agree that we, the FMCIC, needed to move away from a cruise-ship ecclesiology and fully embrace our calling into the coast guard! Luke 15 definitely challenges us to be coast guard.

I finish these Regional Gatherings feeling a little sad actually, like one does at the end of summer camp: I made many new friends, many of whom I will not see again for another year. Thank you for inviting me into your church families, I am praying for you and better yet with you.

I am grateful to the Ministry Center staff who participated and supported these Regional Gathering events. On behalf of the NLT I would especially like to thank Sandy, Paula, and the Wrights who have each participated in most of these events. I appreciate the efforts you and your families made in order to connect face to face with the FMCIC. Thank you.

Remember your homework? Since you are reading this you have already checked off the first item! Next is the appointment of a Prayer Point Person – have you done that and sent that name to Ken or myself? Just as a reminder Ken’s email is [email protected].

Lastly, a leadership discussion about Core: remembering that Core is a covenant that each local church has made. This is about us being us, and not dues going to “Mississauga.” Core is a matter of faith – practicing it, and modelling tithing to your church family. Core is not just covenant and faith, but also how support and mission together – the body is stronger when we all fully participate with our gifts, Core and prayer.

On Sunday I was with the Roblin FM church family. This is a church family that obviously enjoys each other and loves Jesus. They are currently asking what it means to accept responsibility for their community. In a small town where drugs have become a major issue, what is the church’s responsibility? Roblin, I look forward to what God has in store for you – remember be “brave”! Brave in your prayers. Brave in unity. Brave to step into your sanctified imaginations and take risks. Brave enough to have conversations with nones and dones about Jesus. Be brave.

One significant highlight was standing beside Pastor Heath, on his farm, as he showed me how he trains horses. He even showed me how he uses this training to give talks at rodeos about our relationship with Jesus! I actually think that I was born to be a cowboy…


2018 Fall Minister’s Conference

The dates for the Fall Minister’s Conference are as follows:
Eastern Conference: Wesley Acres Retreat Centre and Campground, Bloomfield, ON – September 25-27, 2018
Western Conference: Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre, Saskatoon, SK – October 2-4, 2018
Please mark these dates on your calendars. More information will follow shortly so that all our minister’s can prepare for this great retreat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays –  Love God, Love People, Make Disciples – Everything Else Is Scaffolding: https://fmcic.ca/love-god-love-people-make-disciples-everything-else-is-scaffolding/  New
News & Stories Blog – Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church steps up in fight against human trafficking: https://fmcic.ca/harrowsmith-free-methodist-church-steps-up-in-fight-against-human-trafficking/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: Jeff and Jan Steckley – Contemplative practice, second half of life & the art of starting: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-53-jeff-and-jan-steckley-contemplative-practice-second-half-of-life-the-art-of-starting/ New
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca


PHOTO GALLERY
Mantioba Regional Gathering


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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. Cameron Montgomery – appointed Lead Pastor at Thunder Bay FM Church, Thunder Bay, ON, effective September 1, 2018

Ecclesiax Free Methodist Church, Ottawa, ON – in transition effective August 31, 2018

 

Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule

Dave Moriarity, Almonte, Ontario – ordination service on October 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm, Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON

Brent Steeves, Sarnia, Ontario – ordination service date and time TBA


FOUNDATIONAL COURSES

Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
November 2-4, 2018 in Ontario (location TBA*)

Wesleyan Theology:
June 7-9, 2019 – location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)

Théologie de Wesley
6 au 8 juillet 2018 à l’Église Méthodiste Libre de Rosemont, Montréal, QC

Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
6-week online course (FRENCH) – Fall 2018

Culture and the Missional Church:
Course starts October 9, 2018
Advance online engagement:  Oct 9-Nov 1 / In-class: Nov 2-3 at a local FM Church in Ontario (TBA)
(deadline to register – October 4)

(*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.

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/


CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing

Asbury FMC, Perth, ON
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Odessa FMC, Odessa, 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 (deadline to apply in brackets)

Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON (July 24)
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON (Aug 7)

 

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)
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON (Tom Gurnick – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK


PASTORS IN TRANSITION
Glen Coates
David Greene
Kim Henderson
Jason Johnson
Fred Merritt
Jay Mowchenko
Derek Spink
Randy Williams
Grant Wolfe
Mary-Elsie Wolfe
Wesley Wood


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Associate Pastor – Verona FM Church