CliffsNotes – September 4, 2018

Part One:

Three Canadian police officers have taken their own lives in the past two weeks. If only one had, this would be tragedy, but three?!? I am aware that some of you already find ways to show support for your local emergency service providers. Thank you for doing that. I am thinking however, that in light of these disturbingly sad two weeks, we, as the Body of Christ, have the opportunity to respond to these men and women as only the Church can. First of all pray for our first responders (and let them know that you do). Pray for their salvation, marriages, children, and protection. Secondly, bless them somehow. Not sure of your context or what blessing could even look like but a blessing from one dad (Jacob) changed the world (we should talk about “blessing” at another time). A strand of the FMCIC DNA is the “Catholic spirit”. In essence this DNA strands compels us to say “if you love Jesus Christ too, then I extend to you the right hand of fellowship, and of ministry-sharing” (not quite a direct quote from John Wesley). In this particular time maybe in order to bless the local police / emergency services workers, you need to rally the Church (all flavours of the Church) in your community to do something.

Part Two:

I thought I’d send out more good baptism stories that were sent to me. I’d love for every week to include baptism stories! Below is from St. Joe’s Island Ontario:

I thought I’d let you know that we had an afternoon baptism service on August 12th on St Joseph Island.  It was a joint service between the St Joseph Island FMC and the Sault Ste Marie FMC.  Between the two churches we baptized 12 people.  We had a service down by the river, with a few worship songs and Pastor Liz spoke about what baptism was all about.  Pastor Christopher Walls and I then baptized people one by one, followed by a BBQ dinner afterwards.   There were about a hundred people gathered I think.  It was a great spiritual moment in the life of our two churches.  Praise the Lord! 

Two of the people being baptized in our church gave their testimonies at our 11:00am morning service.  One person in our congregation was so moved by their testimony that they felt led by the Lord to be baptized in the afternoon service.

I share this to encourage you Cliff. Good things are indeed happening in the church!  May Jesus receive the glory!

I also heard from Wawota FM. They sent a beautiful picture of a very recent baptism for a very new convert. Pastor Bev explained that a couple from the church met weekly with this new family and this lead to the husband’s turning his life over to Jesus (his wife is already a believer). I love that: salvation through friendship and coffee! Sounds very Jesus like.  To our new brother in Wawota welcome to the family!

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more about the Fall Ministers Conference


PHOTO GALLERY

Wawota Baptism


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – Things I Would Do Differently As a Pastor​: https://fmcic.ca/things-i-would-do-differently-as-a-pastor/ New
News & Stories Blog – Giving Meaning to Their Travels: https://fmcic.ca/giving-meaning-to-their-travels/ 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/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca


ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule

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


FOUNDATIONAL COURSES

Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
November 2-4, 2018 at Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON

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

Personal and Church Stewardship 
6-week online course – start date TBA
5-week online course (FRENCH) –   October 15, 2018

Culture and the Missional Church:
Course starts October 9, 2018
Advance online engagement:  Oct 9-Nov 1 / In-class: Nov 2-3 at Barrie FMC, Barrie ON
(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

Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB


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)

None available at this time

 

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)
New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, ON (Kim Henderson-Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK

 


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