CliffsNotes – May 29, 2018

This past weekend I was in Calgary for their Regional Gathering. It was a warm beautiful day in Red Deer. Though we don’t have a church in Red Deer, it is a middle ground for our Alberta churches. Thank you each of you for making that effort to attend, pray, listen, discuss, worship, and fellowship.

On Sunday I was with West Springs FM in Calgary. It was authentic and relevant worship, with a leadership team asking very good questions in this a pastoral transition time. I look forward to seeing what God has in store.

I’m an introvert, but one of the great joys I have had in this new role is the opportunity to be billeted rather than stay in hotels in my travels. I have chosen this option, contrary to my personality type, and not because of finances. I have chosen to ask to be billeted in order to meet you and I have loved each new visit! I’ve heard beautiful stories, had engaging conversations, shared some laughs and met men and women who love Jesus. Thank you each one for opening your homes to Karlene and I. I have learned about wood carving, birding, played balloon keep away, been handed unwanted kidney beans by a 2 year old, ridden an e-bike and hiked to spectacular scenery.

I mention this because over the next couple of years you will be hearing about billeting for events (Regional Gatherings, perhaps General Conference, etc). I appreciate that my fellow introverts are feeling like I am betraying them in writing this but my introverted-friends, the pros far outweigh our personalities! In light of the fact that we are a culture that tends to move away from one another, and our denomination does not have Canadian FM schools, and there is no longer an annual General Conference in order for us to connect – in light of all these, let’s billet! Be billet-ers and billet-ees! We have to be intentional about strengthening the Body of Christ – this requires us moving toward each other in as many ways as we can. Billet.

Share meals.

Coffee, tea, run, walk, visit weekly with church family and beyond…

The Sasketchewan Regional Gathering at Northview Community Church is taking place Saturday June 2, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Saskatchewan-Registration-Form-2018.doc

The Central Ontario-East GTA Regional Gathering at Wesley Chapel FM Church is taking place Saturday June 16, 2018. To register click here for the form: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/Wesley-Chapel-Registration-Form-2018-1.doc


2018 Regional Gathering

  • SASKATCHEWAN @ Northview Community Church [Regina] June 2, 2018 *REVISED*
  • CENTRAL ONTARIO- EAST GTA @ Wesley Chapel FM Church [Ontario] – June 16, 2018  *NEW*
  • 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 – Church Growth: Ten Types of Churches That Need Revitalization: https://fmcic.ca/ten-types-of-churches-that-need-revitalization/ New
News & Stories Blog – Everyone Benefits from Internshipshttps://fmcic.ca/everyone-benfits-from-internships/
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


Do you know someone who would like to receive CliffsNotes? They can now sign up through the website at:https://fmcic.ca/cliffsnotes-signup/


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. Dan Sheffield – appointed as Lead Pastor at Grapeview FM Church, St. Catharines, ON

Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule

Cathleen Getchell, Kingston, Ontario – June 10, 2018 at 3:30 pm, Kingscourt FM Church, Kingston ON


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/)

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:
Next course Fall 2018 in Ontario – 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.

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
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC
Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON
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 (deadline to apply in brackets)

Asbury FMC, Perth, ON (May 29)
Madoc Wesleyan/Free Methodist Church, Madoc, ON (May 29)
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK (June 12)

 

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
Summer Intern – Wawota FM Church
Worship Coordinator – Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church
Office Administrator – Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church