FMCiC’s Relationship with our Indigenous Brothers & Sisters…
The issue is that formally and nationally, The Free Methodist Church in Canada does not have a relationship with our indigenous brothers and sisters. We are ambassadors of Christ: ambassadors of peace, healing, reconciliation and redemption in Christ. Yet we are none of these to those we share Canada with. The question then becomes, do we have the moral authority to “go into all the world” when we have not made the effort at home?
Did I just say that we need to stop global missions? No way. For sure we will follow the Spirit’s leading beyond our borders, AND for sure we need to pay attention to “home”! Lakeview FM recently made the effort. They embarked on a month long focus, which is not a “one off” but the commitment to start developing relationship with indigenous people. I look forward to hearing more about their learnings and resolves. Last weekend Karlene and I were invited to attend Nappanee’s effort to start a friendship with their neighbours (there is a reservation next door to Nappanee). It was excellent. Pastor Will connected with Jonathan Maracle, of Broken Walls ministry, and together they developed “Many Voices One Heart Gathering”. Pastor Will said this about the event:
The running of the “Many Voices One Heart Gathering” was one step that Westdale Park and I could take as we seek to answer the question “What does it mean to accept responsibility for our community?” Given our proximity to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Nation, an attempt to build relationships with our First Nations neighbours only makes sense. The “Many Voices One Heart Gathering” was a step in that process. As for my hope for what happens next, the answer is two-fold. That the Westdale Park Church and I, continue to build upon and make new connections with our First Nations neighbours. Secondly, that Gatherings like what we just hosted or other similar kinds of events/efforts would be held in other locations. The purpose, to get conversations started on how relationships with the First Nations people can be built, as we do our part in seeing God “heal our land.”
On Friday night Chief Maracle brought greetings and for the next 1.5 hours told the history of Canada from a perspective that I had not fully heard. It was sobering, enlightening, sad and very hopeful. On Saturday morning we experienced the “Blanket Exercise”. I will not say much about this, because it is one that we will do together (perhaps at our Ministers’ Conference and General Conference). The rest of the day included story, music and exhortation. Thank you Westdale Park and Lakeview for accepting responsibility for your communities…
This past Sunday I was with the Rustle FM Church family (in Kingston). This church plant is having to plan for a second service soon, as they are outgrowing their space. The worship was authentic and engaging, they took time to speak out prayer requests and then pray. We ate! They called the eating part the “Big Bad Bishop’s Brunch”! Let me give you one snapshot as to why Pastor Todd and this church family is thriving in one of Canada’s most financially challenged neighborhoods. Pastor Todd made an announcement that I have never made or heard in all my years of pastoral ministry – right after the announcement about brunch after service he said, “Ok so who is going to volunteer to go out right after service, to invite people in – just walk around and ask anyone you see to join us for food. We have so much…” Two hands went up right away. Thank you Rustle for accepting responsibility for your community.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Attention: Pastors and Delegates!
It’s that time of year—the Annual Report for 2018 for your church is due on February 20, 2019. If you have not yet completed your report please do so as soon as possible!
You will find the Annual Report on the home page of our website at fmcic.ca.
Annual Report in English: https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form141/index.html?1406294972546
Annual Report in French: https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form144/index.html?1420832672433
This year we have included a guide (pdf) to help you understand and complete the Annual Report. We trust that we will be helpful to you in completing the form. Attached you will find a template (in pdf) to help you gather information from your treasurer (and others) and to note your Network Leader Evaluation numbers before you start to file the report online.
We do appreciate your filing online if possible, but you can fax or mail your report to the Ministry Centre as well – [email protected] / 905-848-2603
Please note: Network Leader Evaluation – each person who attends Network meetings should file.
The Lead Pastor’s evaluation of the Network Leader will be included with the Annual Report; all others can file through this link: Network Leader Evaluation
Please keep in mind that we ask for the same statistics every year for the Annual Report, so a system should be in place to gather this information. Every church and church plant must file a report.
2019 REGIONAL GATHERINGS 2019 Regional Gathering Locations and Dates – PDF
Regional Gatherings are all about connecting! Our intention is to see Free Methodist leader and lay people meeting together as a movement for both an “informative” and “formative” gathering. We hope to see you there! https://fmcic.ca/regional-gathering-2019/
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – A Healthy Word for the new Year: https://fmcic.ca/a-healthy-word-for-the-year/
News & Stories Blog – Many Voices, One Heart: https://fmcic.ca/many-voices-one-heart/
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: Dave Overholt – Keeping Young Adults: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-62-dave-overholt-keeping-young-adults/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
Photo Gallery
Many Voices One Heart
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
Louis Innocent – ordination service on March 17, 2019 at 2 pm, Eglise Methodiste Libre La Foi Des Elus, Repentigny, QC
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
Register online through the link above.
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:
*NEW* May 31-June 2, 2019 – Peterborough FM Church, Peterborough ON
* November 1-3, 2019 – western Canada-location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
*NEW* May 31-June 2, 2019 – Weyburn Free Methodist Church, Weyburn, SK
* November 1-3, 2019 – Ontario-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:
Date and location TBA
Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course (FRENCH) – start date – TBA
6-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – TBA
(*locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
2019 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during either the summer and/or the fall semesters of 2019. The 2019 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 2019 – 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 attended the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report.
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION Interviewing
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, 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) None
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in reviewing 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)
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, ON (Kim Henderson-Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Abbs So and Shadow Lau-Interim Co-Pastors)
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Intern Job Position – Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
