CliffsNotes – June 1, 2021

This coming Sunday is a National Worship Opportunity

I realize that my office has been sending out a lot of information to our pastors and delegates. One of the reasons the National Leadership Team has extended to our churches a week off this week, is to be able to read and prepare for our General Conference this weekend. We have had several early sittings of General Conference, in order to deal with business items, so that the only voting this Saturday is for the Nominating Committee ballot.

On Sunday (June 6) we will have an opportunity to worship together across our nation. We are starting at 11:00 AM EDT (10:00 CDT, 9:00 MDT, 8:00 PDT) in order to accommodate our brothers and sisters in BC. From 11:00-11:20 EDT there will a memorial time for those who have passed since our last General Conference. We will then prepare our hearts with worship at 11:20 EDT, and promptly move into the Invitation at 11:30. Make every effort to participate in this national FMCiC celebration service.

I’ll say no more today in order to encourage you all to read through all the General Conference material and explore the Whova site – you will have access to all the General Conference workshops for one full year. You will be able to use the teaching material and resources in your local church, in your small groups, or simply for your own edification.

It is easy in this season to simply check things off a list – this coming Saturday (11:30 EDT-3:30 EDT) and Sunday should not be something we simply get through. Let’s pray that the times that our leaders have together this weekend is rich in unity and with the Spirit.

 


 

GC 2021 Voting Information

To all voting delegates (Lay and Ministerial) we will be emailing you THREE EMAILS on Thursday morning. These emails (containing links to a VOTING BALLOT) will be used on Saturday during the General Conference session. Please do not attempt to fill in your ballot early.

We ask that you check with your Pastor/Delegate to confirm that they have also received THREE EMAILS containing a link to a voting ballot.

If you have any problems or concerns, please contact Vinola https://fmcic.ca/personnel/vinola-pakkianathen/

What’s Happening May 31 – June 6 

June 3rd 8pm EDT Pastors’ Spouse Event
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87813564548?pwd=RGZGN01tcnZhVWlJRFdMUVJzWWhYUT09

June 5th 11am EDT General Conference
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81003624861?pwd=dUZ0V3JBOWhhbThscWIvL0Y5WjlNZz09

June 6th 11am EDT General Conference Worship Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsWN1Ygca_s&feature=youtu.be

You can also access these events through the Agenda in Whova. Remember to use your email address and the password you created to login to Whova:  https://whova.com/portal/webapp/fmccg_202009/

How to View Art Gallery and Bid in Auction: https://vimeo.com/555917591

Live with Jared: https://vimeo.com/555970890 

Moving Between Email and Simply Voting During a Zoom Call: https://vimeo.com/556182502

 

 


 

 https://vimeo.com/546172377

Navigating Whova Drop-In Sessions

Discover all that Whova has to offer. If you need help creating your profile, adding an event to your agenda, viewing a session or you just want some company as you explore Whova, we’ve got you covered. Every Monday and Tuesday throughout the month of May, Alison and I will be available to help you with all things Whova!

Click here to join Tuesday June 1 at 9pm EDT:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87220723127?pwd=eTh5cGltUmxaRW9tNnUwUjd5aXBSZz09

 


WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK:

Q&A with NLT: https://vimeo.com/557653531


WHAT HAPPENS WHEN

Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
3rd Wednesday of each month: Get the Scoop with Lisa and Alison
4th Thursday of each month: Church Health Thursday
Message from Bishop Cliff: https://vimeo.com/518725147
Coffee with Jared: https://vimeo.com/533730644
Mystery Beverage with Marc: https://vimeo.com/504427854


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pastor Benjamin (Ben) Abercrombie – approved as a Ministerial Candidate and appointed as Associate Pastor at New Heights Community Church, Mission, BC, effective May 18

Rev. Erika and Rev. Jason Mills – Co-pastors at Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON – in transition, effective July 4

Rev. J. Bernard McGale – appointed as Lead Pastor at Dunnville Free Methodist Church, Dunnville, ON, effective June 1


ORDINATION SERVICES

Wilder Boutin – date and time TBA – Centre Biblique Louange a L’Eternel, Montreal, QC
Leonard Bruce –    date, time and location TBA
Kathleen Casement – September 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm – Verona FMC, Verona, ON
Blake Found – date and time TBA –  Uxbridge FMC, Uxbridge, ON
Jessica Isaak – date and time TBA – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
Tyler Lane – date and time TBA – Trulls Rd FMC, Courtice, ON
Erika Mills – July 25, 2021, time TBA – Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON
Benjamin Platz – Date and Time TBA – Next Church, Kingston, ON
Douglas Smith – August 1, 2021 at 1:00 pm, Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON

 

COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Alyson Lauber – Date and time TBA – Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK
Nathaniel Prakash – Date and time TBA – Surrey FMC, Surrey, BC


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:
Nov 5-7, 2021 – location TBA*

Wesleyan Theology:
Nov 5-7, 2021 – location TBA*

Also available:

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):

The Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) provides financial assistance to candidates who are studying to meet the educational requirements for credentialed ministry, or for members of conference pursuing continuing education.

October 15 is the deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the summer/or fall semesters of 2021.  The 2021 application forms and instructions  are now available to download from the link above.  Please use the application forms marked “rev 2021.”

SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS:

The Special Scholarships provide financial assistance to those who are members of a Free Methodist church pursuing post-secondary education to grow in their Christian faith, to those who are pursuing credentialed ministry, and to members of conference pursuing continuing education.

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.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing

None at this time

 

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)

Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON (July 6)
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON (June 1)

Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (June 1)

 

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.)

Blue Mountain Community Church, Thornbury, ON
Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
Frankford Community Church, Frankford, ON
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)
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)
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Kids Pastor – Lakview Church
Camp Director –  Harbour Ridge Camp
Summer Research Student – Bramalea FM Church