Winter 2015

REFLECTING THE DIVERSITY OF MINISTRY EXPRESSION WITHIN THE FREE METHODIST FAMILY | Winter 2015 | Volume 12, Issue 1

There were meetings, retreats, summits, gatherings and General Conference — 2014 has come and gone, so let’s look back at some of the highlights.

INSIDE The View from the Bishop’s Chair

Reflections

Bishop Keith Elford

Kim Henderson

page 3

page 7

Feature: A Year in Review page 8-9

Organic Reproductions Dan Sheffield page 13

MOSAIC is a publication of The Free Methodist Church in Canada | www.fmcic.ca

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

ALL IN A YEAR’S WORK And here we are again, having entered a new year - a bit older and hopefully a little kinder.

MOSAIC is a publication of The Free Methodist Church in Canada

4315 Village Centre Court Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2 T. 905.848.2600 F. 905.848.2603 E. lisa.howden@fmcic.ca www.fmcic.ca For submissions: lisa.howden@fmcic.ca Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Howden, Managing Editor and Production

We have a tradition in my family. At the beginning of the year, when we are all gathered together to share a meal, we take the time to go around the table and reflect on the past year. Those things that were difficult, as well as the events that we were grateful for and the ones that made us laugh. There were twenty-one people seated at two tables this year, and so it took quite some time to make the rounds, but it was worth it! The beauty of having everyone share is that we all see things from our own unique perspective and so as I listened to my family share their thoughts, I was able to see it differently than I had before.

My Mother’s words impacted us all the most. She spoke of our shared memory of being at her brother’s bedside as he passed away and then being present a few hours later as her fourth granddaughter came into the world. “There was nothing as important in that moment than comforting and praying with my brother who was leaving this world and nothing as beautiful and joyous as welcoming our new little one into it.” None of us managed to escape with dry eyes.

In this issue of the MOSAIC, we are looking back at some of the highlights that took place over the last twelve months. A year in review seemed like a good idea to remind us of all that has taken place and bring us all up to speed on past events. Perhaps you participated in some of the assemblies that are mentioned. I hope you enjoy seeing these events through our eyes.

Lisa Howden, Managing Editor | lisa.howden@fmcic.ca

CONTENTS FEATURE — Greg Elford, Keitha Ogbogu and Darrin Lindsay

Community Engagement ............................................................ 9

MINISTRY AREAS On my mind — Bishop Keith Elford The View from the Bishop’s Chair ................................................ 3 Church Health — Marc McAlister A YEAR OF HOPE. WHO KNEW? .................................................... 4 Church Planting — Jared Siebert A review of my sabbatical .......................................................... 5 Leadership Development — Kim Henderson Reflections ................................................................................... 6 Stewardship Ministries — Sandy Crozier Life in the rear-view mirror ......................................................... 12 Global Ministries — Dan Sheffield An open letter to the Free Methodist Church Community from Zach and Victoria Edwards................................................ 16

A year in review

8

COLUMNS Editorial — Lisa Howden All in a year’s work ...................................................................... 2 Photo Gallery ...................................................................................6 Passages ....................................................................................... 10 The Little Big Picture — Alison McKinnon The Little Big Picture Crossword! ................................................. 11 Financial Q&A ............................................................................. 12 Our History — Dan Sheffield Organic Reproduction .............................................................. 13 International Child Care Ministries — Paula Moriarity ICCM Highlights ........................................................................ 14 The Journey Discipleship Survey .................................................... 14 Student Ministries Youth Retreat highlights ............................................................ 15

on my mind THE VIEW FROM THE BISHOP’S CHAIR Come sit with me in the Bishop’s Chair on June 30 and let’s rotate slowly through the seasons of 2014.

It’s a General Conference year and so extra busy, but I continued to be preoccupied with sharpening the focus of our movement on the essential mandate given to the church by Jesus to make and mature disciplemaking disciples.

This reality was always playing in the background of the agendas of the meetings of the Network leaders, MEGaP Committee, BOA, Study Commission on Doctrine (SCOD) and, of course, the NLT. The future of the church is at stake. We know that if we do not “up” the spiritual-emotional maturity of our movement, we will fuss, fume, fizzle and fade into irrelevance and then disappear – not unlike the New Testament churches in Asia Minor that no longer exist.

During those early months of 2014, SCOD (recognizing how Canadian Christians have become increasingly distracted by/even devoted to the idols of pleasure and materialism), drafted the statement on “Self-Discipline” that now appears in Par. 630.2.2 in The Manual. It casts a clear vision of the cost of Christian maturity for all who want to do more than just give lip service to the Lordship of Jesus.

At General Conference, it was heartening to see local church leaders engaging in discussions related to Missional Engagement, Heightening Spiritual Passion, Ministry to Children and Youth, Ministry within the LGBTQ community, etc. I was also given the privilege of being seated in the Bishop’s Chair for another three years, though if you go to the Ministry Centre, you will not be able to find the Chair.

This brings us to the second half of the year. We began the year projecting an Operating deficit of $200,000.

It now appears that, because local churches are returning to their Core Covenant, investment returns are stronger than projected and through cost-cutting measures like the NLT moving to home offices making more space available to rent okay, the deficit will likely be well under $50,000.

As we saw two more churches close in the summer season, it heightened the reality that we are a movement in decline – a challenge that only can ultimately be addressed through deepening our commitment to replace attractional nominalism (“I show up when it’s convenient”) with disciple-making discipleship. Sadly, some of our churches will continue to fade as distraction gives way to discouragement then to apathy and finally the death knell of indifference quietly tolls. In other places, as the commitment to the community (both within and beyond the church) is rising, though they have decreased in size, there is an increase in missional vigor.

As I look back on 2014, I have to admit that, although the jury is still out concerning the future, from where I sit, I see the FMCiC positioning to embrace the “missionary” context that is now “our Canada”. I am confident that as we, with increasing joy-filled selfdiscipline allow the Lord Jesus to form and reform us as his people into what we now need to be, the church will both go backward to foundational essentials and forward to new expressions of what it means to be His people.

Keith Elford is the Bishop for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | keith.elford@fmcic.ca

Read the Bishop’s Notes

They are sent out every Tuesday – if you would like them to be emailed to you let us know at info@fmcic.ca.

You can also read them from our homepage @ www.fmcic.ca

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 3

{Church Health}

A YEAR OF HOPE. WHO KNEW? This seems like a good time to do a “year in review” type thing.

After all, 2014 was my first full year on the job. And because the position Director of Church Health is still fairly new among us, I still get asked about what I do and why I do it.

Let’s start with the “what”. I work with churches in transition, helping them put together a church profile as they look for their next pastor (and working through all the issues that can go along with that). I work with churches in conflict, helping them resolve issues and restore relationships. Thankfully I haven’t had to do much of that this year. I work with churches who are looking to get a “snapshot” of their current ministry context, helping them find and use the appropriate tools and think through next steps. (Tools like LifePlan, the Church Health survey and the new Discipleship Survey) And I work with churches who are interested in building and maintaining robust health as the body of Christ.

So over this past year I had the privilege of talking to pastors, boards, leadership teams and even pastoral networks about all of the above. It hasn’t always been easy. As you can imagine, there have been some challenging (even difficult) conversations in the mix.

But there are a couple of things that might surprise you as well.

First, I don’t just work with churches that are barely hanging on. All kinds of churches are interested in having serious conversations about how they can develop and maintain church health. So I have worked with rural and urban churches ( from Wawota SK to Toronto ON and everything in between), from East to West (Montreal PQ to Mission BC and everything in between), both large and small (congregations of hundreds to congregations of 20 and everything in between). All are interested in being the church God has created and called them to be.

The second thing that might surprise you is how much hope there is in all of this. Despite the challenges all churches face when it comes to ministering effectively in the Canada, most in our movement continue to express great hope in what God is able to do and they look forward to what He has in store. They understand the challenges, and that there is work to do. But they are excited to see what God has in store.

And that starts to answer the “why” question. I love the church.

And I think God still has a lot in store for His church. I consider it a great honor to be able to help where I can. And while I don’t have any stories of massive turn around in a church just yet, I do have lots of stories of churches taking next steps (and therefor moving towards greater health). So I too look forward to what God has for us in the coming years.

Marc McAlister is the Director of Church Health for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | marc.mcalister@fmcic.ca

TWITTER FEED @ mcalister_marc 4 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

CHURCH HEALTH BLOG fmcic.ca/category/church-health/

{Church Planting}

A REVIEW OF MY SABBATICAL It would be hard for me to talk about this past year without mentioning my sabbatical. From a “time spent” stand point my sabbatical was not the dominant feature of my year but from a personal stand point it was huge. My sabbatical affected me in two ways. The first was to root me. It allowed me to deepen my roots in my relationship with God, in my family, in my friends, in my church, and in my city. The second effect was to expand me. The experiences I had and the people I met have all expanded my horizons. I am returning to work with new ideas and fresh energy.

One of the goals that I had for my sabbatical was to reconnect with my family and to build a lifelong memory with them. Unlike a regular pastor’s family, it can be difficult for my family to know what it is that I actually do. 99% of the time I do my ministry away from them. On my sabbatical, I wanted to share with them the incredible diversity of God’s church and the experiences and the people that fuel my imagination for ministry. To accomplish this I took my family on a 56 day and nearly 11,000 km journey through Canada and the US in 24 foot RV we named “Betty.”

On our travels we visited family, friends, several churches and projects that I have found inspirational in one way or another.

We also did some sightseeing in Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Boston, New York City, Washington DC, and Chicago. Many of you followed along on facebook or on my youtube channel. This experience created lifelong memories for us.

The final half of my sabbatical was devoted to rest, reflection and research. During my reflection on my ministry I did some thinking about my role as member of the National Leadership Team. I asked myself several questions: how am I managing my energy, and am I working smart? This process helped me to find

SEABASS TRAVELCAST

Follow Jared as he chats with church planters and leaders about their stories

better ways to accomplish all that God has given me to do. I am returning to work with new energy, with new ways of working, and with new ideas.

The second, was to begin work on a research project I had been neglecting for years. The research project is focused on the long term realities of engaging in experimental church planting in the Canadian context. Several years ago, theStory (an FM church plant in Sarnia) shot a documentary called “One Size Fits All.” Dan and I use it in our Culture and Missional Church course to inspire our leaders with new possibilities for engaging with their neighbourhoods. The film captures church plants from various denominations across Canada as they were between 2006-2007.

My research project is to follow up with these church plants and ask them about the long term realities of planting a church. I am currently half way through this project and hope to present my findings in the fall of 2015. The chance to wrestle with these very real questions about the future of the church in Canada was absolutely invigorating to me.

As I close off this short report on my sabbatical let me leave you with these thoughts. I am aware that the idea of a sabbatical can be a foreign concept to many. I know there aren’t a lot of jobs that allow for this and the idea can seem kind of high falutin and impractical. Here are two things I want to offer you in response.

The first is that this is a biblical concept. God established periods of rest as a foundation for human life. My second response is that sabbaticals work. Studies on the effects of sabbaticals indicate that it enhances just about every measure of a person’s life. I can personally attest to that. If your pastor is asking for this opportunity – please do all your can to allow them this kind of experience.

Jared Siebert is the Director of Church Planting for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | jared.siebert@fmcic.ca

TWITTER FEED @jaredsiebert

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 5

Here are some of our latest community images! They help to connect us and tell the story of who we are and what we do.

You can check out even more pictures on our flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery

Photo Album What’s been going on?

6 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

Starting at the top row (left to right) • Saskatoon, SK:Riversdale Neighbours Church (Plant) in Saskatoon, SK and led by Darry Dozlaw had their first Sunday gathering.

• Belleville, ON: Retirees Luncheon • St. Joseph Island, Bishop Keith attends Adrian Collins Ordination service.

• Sault Ste Marie, ON: Bishop Elford attends morning service.

• Bloomfield, ON: Construction of the Welcome Centre at Wesley Acres.

• Kingston, ON: Kingscourt hosts 24 Hours of Prayer.

• Mississauga, ON: New Pastors Orientation at the Ministry Centre.

• Wedding: Rev. Joe Jobin and Sharin wed on November 17, 2014!

• Richmond Hill, ON: Richmond Hill Free Methodist Church new addition • Mississauga, ON: Ministry Centre Staff Retreat.

• Uxbridge, ON: Whitby and Prince Edward County FMCs team up to spruce up the Uxbridge parsonage.

• Kingston, ON: Mentors and Network Leaders meeting (Kingston location) • Duffield, ON: New Mewassin church building.

{Leadership Development}

REFLECTIONS The theme of this issue of the Mosaic brought back memories from my year of teacher training at the University of Toronto, which was many years ago. I stayed in a small college residence on campus and life there was pretty predictable – including the food. For the brave few who ventured to the cafeteria for supper on Sunday evenings, we knew that we would experience the ‘week in review.’ Nothing was wasted so every leftover was present even if it was in combination with other leftovers and you had to look twice or three times to identify everything! While this example is a bit extreme, the practice of maximizing what we have and pausing to take stock and evaluate is a good one. So here’s a few of my reflections so far: MEGaP: ‘MEGaP season’ for interviews happens in the spring and the fall. A highlight this year was the number of ordinations that happened before the long weekend in May so those pastors were full members at General Conference. New MEGaP members were elected at conference (almost one third of the team) and extra training has happened so that all were up to speed before the fall season. There have also been some candidates who have declined the invitation for an interview. I am making some inquiries to see if that’s happening for a variety of reasons or if there is a common theme.

Foundational Courses: The instructors of all the courses met for a full day of interaction, planning and learning in the spring. This is becoming a ‘fixed’ annual event and the feedback continues to show that this is time well spent. All four foundational courses were or will be offered at least once this year (with Heart of Canadian Free Methodism and Wesleyan Theology offered at least twice) and in response to some feedback, plans are in the works to have fixed dates for all of the courses on the calendar. Here’s a sneak peak: the second full weekends in May and November are shaping up to be ‘foundational course weekends.’ This should help all of our planning!

Self and Other Awareness: The Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory has been a useful tool for pastors and boards and pastor’s networks. The essence of the training is to actually appreciate those who are different than we are rather than merely tolerating them.

Then we realize that we too are sources of irritation to others. The bottom line is this: ‘I learn about me to understand that it’s not all about me’! The feedback has been encouraging that this training actually helps boards understand their strengths and differences and maximize them.

In addition to Personnel, I have also done some personal reflections. I want to thank all who have lifted me up in prayer (and continue to do so) as I have struggled with anxiety and depression through 2014. As I have paused and prayed, I have two lists: behaviours I need to unlearn and behaviours I need to relearn. There are one or two points on both lists that represent the same theme. I guess life isn’t that different from the Sunday night week in review suppers after all!

Kim Henderson is the Director of Personnel for The Free Methodist Church in Canada kim.henderson@fmcic.ca

Did you know?

The deadlines to apply for scholarships every year are February 15 for the winter semester and October 15 for the fall semester?

Visit the website {fmcic.ca} Leadership Development section or contact Susan Deplanche to apply.

MOSAIC :: 7

{The Year JANUARY 6th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting

3-4th Bishop Keith and Marc with Cliff Fletcher’s Network

2nd Bishop Keith at Peterborough FMC

Kim preached at The FreeWay

18th Bishop Elford at the Camping Summit

Marc preached at Campbellford

7-17th Bishop Keith in Ghana

7th Kim at Briercrest Seminary in SK

19th Marc preached at Cordova Mines and participated in congregational meeting 24-26th Bishop Keith and Kim at MEGaP Meeting

8th Marc attends World Vision Seminar at Tyndale

Marc preached at St. Joseph Island 8th Kim at Women’s Conference in Laval, QC 10-12th Marc with Sudbury Network 12th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 13th Marc and Bishop Keith attend Youth Culture presentation at Freedom in Brantford, ON 15 Dan at Madoc FMC th

Dan at Campbellford FMC

9th Kim preached at Laval Marc preached at Whitby FMC 23rd Bishop Keith at Westport FMC (morning) and Trulls Road FMC board meeting (afternoon) 25th Dan and Bishop Keith attend Wesley Studies Symposium 28-30th Dan and Marc at O’Connor FMC

25th Dan at theStory

FEBRUARY

25-27th Jared at Saskatchewan Network Meeting

2nd Kim preached at North Grenville FMC 8 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

28th Marc with Peter Goodyear’s Network

9th Marc attends Culture of Honesty Seminar in Windsor 10th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 11-12th Meeting of the Board of Administration

30th Kim preached at Campbellford FMC Bishop Elford at The Freeway Marc preached at O’Connor FMC

MAY

4th Marc preached at Campbellford 6-9th Dan in Saskatoon with Jared working on discipleship materials development

7th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 15th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting

13th Kim preached at Malvern FMC 15th Bishop Keith at Uxbridge FMC

24th Dan at Barrie FMC for Ghana trip debrief

12th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 13th NLT at Network Leaders and Mentors’ Meeting 18-19th Dan in Indianapolis for joint committee with FMC-USA 21st Bishop Keith at Vennachar for 120th anniversary 22nd Marc preached at Valleyview Kim preached at St. Joseph’s Island FMC

16-19th General Conference Bishop Keith at Thru the Roof for 10th anniversary 25-31st Marc in BC visiting churches and attending Outreach Canada Transition training course

JUNE

21st Bishop Keith at New Westminster FMC

16th Marc preached at The Freeway Marc preached at Almonte FMC

6th Kim preached at Moose Jaw, SK

4th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting

12th Dan at Thornbury FMC Marc at Malvern followed by Lifeplan meeting with congregation

APRIL

Jared preached at Hampton FMC

5th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 9th Jared preached at Ecclesiax

7-9th National Leadership Team with Network Leaders and Mentors for training

MARCH

5-7th Jared facilitates Church Plant Design Shop in Toronto, ON 7th Bishop Keith at Pine Orchard Camp 8th Bishop Keith at Bethel FMC, Cam Montgomery ordination

23-25th Marc with his Network 29th Bishop Keith at Wesley Acres 30th Jared starts his Sabbatical

JULY

6th Bishop Keith at Maple Grove camp

27th Kim preached at Campellford FMC Bishop Keith at Kingscourt and Pine Grove

10th Kim facilitates NMEGaP training

8th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting

in Review} 16th Dan at The Queensway in Niagara Falls, ON to discuss a mission trip 20th Bishop Keith at Arlington Beach camp 21-30th Bishop Keith in South Africa

28th Bishop Keith: Google Hangout with a local board

25th Bishop Keith: Google Hangout with a local board

29th Bishop Keith meets with a local board

28th Bishop Keith at Markham FMC

5th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting

AUGUST

15th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board

10th Bishop Keith at Pine Orchard Camp 16th Kim and Bishop Keith facilitate NMEGaP training 17th Bishop Keith at Next Church in Kingston, ON and Luke Haggett ordination

Kim facilitates National MEGaP training 16th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board 17th Marc with Grant Wolfe Network 18th Kim facilitates National MEGaP training 20th Kim conducts MEGaP interviews

Jared at Una’s 5th Anniversary Celebration 7th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board 8th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board NLT at Network Leaders and Mentors Meeting 13-17 The Wesleyan Way at Crieff Hills, ON with Dan, Kim and Marc th

17-18th Bishop Keith at Study Commission on Doctrine (SCOD) meetings

21st Bishop Keith at Verona FMC 125th anniversary

Kim preached at Kingston West

12th NLT at New Pastors Orientation

Bishop Keith at Richmond Hill FMC 27-29th Jared and Marc at Saskatchewan Network Meetings

NOVEMBER

25-27th Jared facilitates Church Plant Design Shop in Burlington, ON 30th Kim preached at New Horizons in Sarnia, ON

DECEMBER

13-15th Jared facilitates Church Plant Design Shop in Edmonton, AB 15 Bishop Keith officiates at Lynda Sinclair ordination & Kathy Doorenkamp commissioning th

8-10th Jared and Dan in Chicago at Life on the Vine 11th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting Staff Christmas Party

1st Kim conducts MEGaP interviews 3rd Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board

12th NLT at Network Leaders and Mentors Meeting

5th Jared meets with Church Planting Canada 17th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board 6th Bishop Keith hosts BOA Orientation 7-8th BOA meeting

20th Marc with Cliff Fletcher Network

25th Marc with Darrin Lindsay and Michael Tesema Networks

3-4th Network Meeting Kim

18th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board 19th Kim at Thru the Roof for their society meeting 23rd Bishop Keith – Adrian Collins ordination

19th Kim preached at Fort Frances

20th National Leadership Team Planning Meeting 25-27th Dan in Indianapolis regarding archives

26th Marc preached in Prince Albert

Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board

4th Kim conducts MEGaP interviews 5th Kim at Malvern FMC for worship

1-8th Dan in Sri Lanka leading mission teams from Moose Jaw and Regina

3rd Bishop Keith at Kingsview

OCTOBER

9-11th Jared at Rustle FMC 10th NLT at Network Leaders and Mentors Meeting

22-23rd National Leadership Team Retreat

SEPTEMBER

14th Bishop Keith at Kingsview Induction

21th Ministry Centre Staff Retreat

9th Marc preached in Kingston West

24th Bishop Elford: Google Hangout with a local board

EDITOR’S NOTE This year-in-review wall was inspired by the many questions we receive asking (kindly) what it is we do. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list and the calendar events listed are only those of the National Leadership Team (I tried to include everything, but it simply would not fit.) I hope it provides some insight into our work.

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 9

{Passages} APPOINTMENTS

Jack Bradley Pastor, Mississippi Free Methodist Church; and Transition Pastor, Athens Free Methodist Church Athens, ON

CONGRATULATIONS . . .

Jennifer Wagar Associate Pastor, Barrie Free Methodist Church Barrie, ON

Dennis Camplin Transition Pastor Wawota Free Methodist Church Wawota, SK

Glenn Boyde Board of Administration

Andrew Klinger - Graduation ceremony as a Chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces

ORDINATIONS APPROVED

Lynda Sinclair Arlington Woods FMC Ottawa, ON November 16, 2014 (Commissioning)

Adrian Collins St. Joseph Island FMC St. Joseph Island, ON (Ordination)

Pastor Lynda Sinclair {Merle} Commissioning service at Arlington Woods FMC, Ottawa, ON

MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES

Todd Stelmach Next Church Kingston, ON

Ebenezer Nsengiyumva Grace Methodist Church Mississauga, ON

James Pedlar Wesley Chapel Toronto, ON

Pastor Katherine Doornekamp {Ike} Associate Pastor, Westport FMC, ON

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION •

Athens FM Church (Jack Bradley, Transition Pastor)

•

Bramalea FMC, Brampton, ON

•

Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON (Joe Schaefer, Transition pastor)

•

Cole Lake FMC, Godfrey, ON

•

Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON

•

Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON (Gary Landers, Transition Pastor)

•

Crestview Park FMC, Winnipeg, MB (Kevin Kay, Transition Pastor)

•

First FMC, New Westminster, BC (Doug Wood)

•

Malvern Methodist Church, Toronto, ON (Michael Morris, Transition Pastor)

•

Pine Grove Community Church, Seeley’s Bay, ON

•

Wawota FMC, Wawota, SK (Dennis Camplin, Transition Pastor)

10 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

Rev. Adrian Collins {Cindy} - Pastor, St. Joseph Island FMC, ON

{the little BIG picture} Our Facebook page is a great way to connect to the larger Free Methodist body.

Like us on facebook :)

Have a story to share?

Contact Alison @ alison.fmcic@gmail.com

To read other Little BIG picture stories go to: fmcic.ca/category/fm-blog Following twitter.com/fmcic is a great way to stay in the loop! @FMCIC

Our Free Mehtodist photo gallery is hosted on www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery

THE LITTLE BIG PICTURE CROSSWORD! I’ve had a great year chatting with folks from across our denomination and country. I’ve heard and shared stories about many amazing people and ministries. The highlight for me has been meeting face-to-face with those I have interviewed over the phone. Regional gatherings, General Conference and just plain old inviting myself to various events and meetings provided a great time of connection.

So without further ado I give you, “The Little Big Picture Year in Review Crossword” which tests both your knowledge and memory. Need some help? Check out: www.fmcic.ca and click on “News and Stories” for a complete list of all stories mentioned in the crossword. Have fun!

Alison McKinnon, Social Media Journalist | alison.fmcic@gmail.com

Across 1. FM church currently working on a recording project 3. How many of the churches Paul started in his ministry exist today?

4. Name of video blog starring church planter Darryl Dozlaw 5. Memorandum of Understanding signed at this college and seminary 6. Church health guy 7. The food Dalton Taylor doesn’t like 10. Jansen and Sheffield mentioned in Stations of the Cross story 11. Where many FMCiCers spent Victoria Day weekend 13. One of the instruments Doug Dawson helped locate for Leonel, a spanish migrant worker 15. The class Ethel Losier started at Thunder Bay FMC Down 1. We have everything we...

2. Twelve step bible based program for people with hurts, hang-ups and habits 4. Alison’s good news story “The...

8. A story told in three acts 9. Skatepark dreamer Evan’s hometown 10. North Grenville Community Church’s ministry focuses on eliminating this 12. Valleyview’s love in motion 14. Woman at the well

Answer Key Across: (1) Next Church (3) None (4) Puzzle Pieces (5) Briarcrest (6) Marc (7) Rice (10) Dan (11) General Conference (13) Tuba (15) Sunshine.

Down: (1) Need (2) Celebrate Recovery (4) Path (8) Sergio (9) Kakabeka Falls (10) Debt (12) Elevate (14) Penny.

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 11

{Stewardship Development Ministries}

LIFE IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR Another year is about to come to a close. With it, the opportunity to look in the ‘rear-view mirror’. This helps us to see where we`ve been and can help us with where we want to go.

Seeing in the mirror where we were wasteful and selfish gives us a picture of what needs to change in order to reflect Christ to the world. Looking at this past year we can ask ourselves: Where was I generous? Where did I give sacrificially (like Jesus)? What was easy for me to be generous with? What was difficult?

Not many people have cheque-books any more, but looking at where you spent your money is another great way to reflect on the past year. Does my spending say what I want it to say about what I believe? Did I live generously?

As helpful as taking time to look back, remember that our hope is in God’s transforming power.

I don’t have to be the person I was yesterday, never mind last year! I can be generous where I was once stingy. I can be free where I was once in debt. I can be faithful where I was once foolish.

In reflecting on the past year remember these important keys: • • •

It’s NOT what have I done – because we cannot change the past.

It’s NOT what will I do – because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

But, IT IS ABOUT what I do now – because this is the moment we have been given.

As you reflect on the last year, be encouraged – not discouraged. Look around in the present with hope not fear. Make this next year about where you can give and not just get. Live generously with everything and everyone. And look forward to the time when God says ‘Well done, good and faithful steward.’

Sandy Crozier is the Stewardship Ministries Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | sandy.crozier@fmcic.ca

One of the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ we get asked is about Pastor’s Pensions. Many find retirement planning confusing, frustrating and fearful.

But take heart. We have help. And a hotline to call...

Who Should I Call? Call the GROUP RETIREMENT SERVICES at Great West Life Assurance: 1-800-754-3402. This is the Call Centre who will verify your account and connect you with a live representative. They can help you with reviewing your account, your investments and to help you with any change.

What Do I Need? You will need your individual Member ID (you can find this number on your pension plan statement) and the FMCiC Policy Number - 65475. If needed, they can also refer you to an investment and retirement specialist for help with other investments/RRSPs.

12 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

{Our History}

ORGANIC REPRODUCTION In his 1960 book, The Battle Was the Lord’s, historian John Sigsworth gives a dictionary definition of “fission” – a new idea quickly becoming a household word at the time. He used it to describe what happened at the 1895 Canada Conference in Galt, ON (present Cambridge): “the spontaneous division of a cell or organism into new cells or organisms, especially as a mode of reproduction.”

The Free Methodist Church was initiated via the ministry of Rev. Charles Sage in the late 1870s. In 1880 the work was officially organized as the Canada Annual Conference. Fifteen years later, in 1895, there were 55 congregations spread across southern Ontario from Sarnia to Huntsville to Lansdowne. For a number of years, two District Elders, Albert Sims and James Craig, had responsibility for visiting and overseeing all of those churches, travelling on horseback, in carriages, buckboards and trains, where possible. Although they often travelled with their wives, they were normally “on the road” for weeks or months at a time.

By 1894, the two elders, along with many others, were “thinking of the wisdom of becoming two conferences” and a committee was designated to “consider the matter.” A year later, the one Canada Conference was divided into two – East Ontario and West Ontario – based upon the unanimous desire of all ministers and delegates.

East Ontario had 33 congregations and 21 pastors ( four of whom were women); West Ontario had 22 congregations and 16 pastors (seven of whom were women). Perhaps most significantly, oversight was placed in the hands of 4 District Elders (two per conference) who continued to visit and engage with churches and pastors under their responsibility. Two experienced pastors, W C Walls and A H Norrington were added for East Ontario while Sims and Craig held responsibilities in West Ontario.

Within five years, the West Ontario conference had sent missionary church planters to Northern Ontario and Western Canada, initiating new churches near present Thunder Bay, as well as Manitoba and Saskatchewan, besides new work closer to home. The East Ontario conference initiated a number of new congregations in and around Toronto, Kingston, and Odessa in short order.

View of Galt, Ontario

by Kroupa, Bohuslav From a sketch by M. A. Farrar 1872

New leadership released and empowered, with more localized responsibility for ministry development, had the desired impact of actually spreading the work into new communities.

Dan Sheffield| dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca

When Should I Call?

You can call anytime and asked to be referred to a retirement planning specialist. You should call about 1 year before you plan on retiring.

Retiring take time to prepare and process. Group Retirement Services will help you with what forms you need to fill out, and give you an idea of how much you can expect each month, when you can expect to receive pension payments and for how long.

What Happens if I Go into Transition?

While you are in transition, you are not contributing to your pension plan. However, when you return to an appointed position, you can resume your contributions to the plan. Upon termination in the plan, you will receive a complete disclosure package with your account balance and the available options to you as a terminated member.

FINANCIAL PLAN

What I Should Do Now? You may be years from retirement. But there are things you can do now that will help place you in the best position before living on a fixed (and potentially smaller) income: • Review Your Plan Annually – steward your investments wisely • Live on a Budget and Get Out Of Debt • Simplify your Lifestyle • Complete and Pay-off Major Purchases - home repairs, downsizing, car repair/replacement • Get Checked – While you still have coverage, get any dental work, physicals and eye exams recommended.

• Get healthy – stewarding your health now will mean less health costs associated with diabetes, blood pressure and coronary heart disease, mobility issues and more that come from not eating right, not exercising and not getting enough rest.

• Get Involved – what are you going to do with your retirement?

What ministry do you want to get involved in? What can you do now to be ready to serve then?

This spot is going to be a place where you can ask both church and personal financial questions. If you have a financial question send it to info@fmcic.ca and we will send you the answer and may post them here!

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 13

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ICCM HIGHLIGHTS It is wonderful to share with our Pastors and lay leaders what ICCM is doing. This year leaders were invited to learn more about making a greater global impact. If your church is looking at how ICCM fits into the bigger picture of global ministry and if you want to see families and communities impacted here and abroad – contact Paula. She is available to come to your church and lead you through a half-day of interactive, global learning.

HAVE YOU MET LUCIA?

In May of this year, ICCM leaders from Africa and Haiti gathered together in Ethiopia where something amazing happened during an Ethiopian Free Methodist Church worship service. In that room, filled with leaders experiencing the same passion, we caught a glimpse of God at work among us.

Collette Wales was our first Canadian teacher to participate in the teacher training program in Haiti this summer. This program involves teachers from Canada working together with teachers from Haiti to share skills, methods and creative ideas. There are about 500 teachers in Haiti who work at our schools. If you are interested in this program, please contact the ICCM office.

Lucia is our ICCM Administrator. If

Many churches ask about ways they can be involved in overseas projects. We have had churches donate towards providing food, bibles and song books for schools, t-shirts for study centres, animals, and water filters for kids and their families. If you are interested in a particular project for your church, contact us!

905.848.2600 xt 224.

you have any questions about your sponsor child or finances – she has all your answers! Please contact her at lucia.dsouza@fmcic.ca or

Activating change locally to impact children globally has been our vision for over five years now and the best way to do that is to partner with children around the world! For $35/ month, you can help educate, feed and clothe a child. Education is a key to issues of poverty around the world. But teaching the word of God is the key to giving children and families hope for a future!

Paula Moriarity is the International Child Care Ministries Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | paula.moriarity@fmcic.ca | childcareministries.net

The Journey Discipleship Survey Are we “making disciples?” What are the markers that help us identify where our people are at? Where are members of our congregations tracking in terms of Christian growth and maturity? What do we need to think about and adjust in our discipleship planning going forward?

Who: This Survey is intended to gather a snapshot of your congregation that will help your leadership team discern where your people are located in their journey toward wholeness in Jesus.

What: The Survey measures both personal and congregational attitudes, beliefs, disciplines and practices that are significant for the development of Christian maturity within a Wesleyan framework.

Where: Each survey process is setup by our office with a unique ID#. Please contact our office to setup a survey profile for your congregation.

For more information please contact Dan Sheffield {dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca} or Marc McAlister {marc.mcalister@fmcic.ca}.

14 :: MOSAIC :: Winter 2015

{Student Ministries}

YOUTH RETREAT THEME:

“STAND”

EPHESIANS 6:10-11

It was a packed weekend full of fun activities, inspiring worship, great messages and youth-friendly food!

Connecting with other Free Methodist youth was awesome!

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 15

{Global Ministries} Zach and Victoria Edwards spent a number of months in 2014, working with Canadian medical aid organization in Uganda, Save the Mothers [ www.savethemothers.org ] Victoria grew up going to Whitby Free Methodist Church. She and Zach met at FM-affiliated Echo Lake Camp, north of Kingston, Ontario. They both attended Tyndale University College in Toronto, completing business degrees with a focus on international development. Global Ministry funds from Free Methodist churches helped to partially support their internship in Uganda. Zach and Victoria wrote the following letter to the Free Methodist family. Dan Sheffield, Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries | dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca

rs othe M e e th ften h Sav ity, t i n w u re o a d m e t m n a th ter Co dren we in ur lives. auses ind chil as urch s c h a C s d gh do beh late or u dist earin ve yer f ly touche th re en leave etho a b r r i d M l p b i d e d h ft p Sa chil e Fre en o nce. hat c ds an r has dee t e h m n m r t o l u n e o f r o o f T a diff materna ese w evastati both t summe day e k n Th h i a c . d d y s a in sit pa hin to m ar y hase ie e enero anda this purc unnecess mething easons be therhood ill d g o w r t u s g o e er so Yo $1 er ) in U moth just over rphan. Th us to do essing th for safe m M 6 T 1 r S d o ( an t are ivate erage n add e a stand n av cines tha onsidered and mot ocuses o s k o a i d to ta c o us a tf ts d n t i r s e e a t r a r n g e a e a m w th er rh ead In U able by kno acilities moth uched ou ization in sioning l ting t r f i n n e e e v h s o n t m t le ealth pa ga yt pre u p r h r men m o t o i r m h n i e u t fo nd ou en qu wi . Wo te a c i e o a o s n t b g d i h u s n d n h w ha ga sa ati ot dia ute M) i educ ght t STM re distrib men of U ve imme en t c e j brou thers (ST through a pro s we dh wom e wo o da a new ee phone el for th encies an r viewed nd to e the M in Ugan t a alu od l-fr nte erg t, a s y. nd ev l four tol e/911 m s or em ties and i use i a nd death mmunit o r t o t i rns a ow ni lin pr ion e cili co t h o c a A s p r f n l i e d t m e e o s u h th ah s pa dq ealt se an as to eir c ns w ject.” Thi es act as th-relate ese h ts purpo ecord th r h e t t n o si ro on bir dt dr mi role a ee Line P se ph ny child e travele each the rn an e a t e l Th Our a r t w to s no a. r, h k l-F a e t e s l e i r e b e w o v w A i T w t m .I h idw call ach e nu the “ Mukono room plead wit s can idwife. E ess of th ith the m y e e r i e l h i t v w m en eli in and fam ith a heir awar teracted the d ad to go heir w t n n i d n o t i i e an at dh er we arn unic ho w se husban to le tionally, w n e i comm ospitals o atal s. h wom arian wh nten e . Add struggle a e s e e h n i h t I t r es in sto irit. caes out heir their ve sp ession. Th es. em t n ab need of a urger y. i r r t h i a a t s e e l o h s h it ir p he s uld ing uggl r in are w t the for t earn ther’s str e wo a mothe a l y w d a e to sh e n s e man k e s o shoc yer befor in each o is the hu ciliti me acros d and m a n f e o e ft o th co ere o en in pra nd share uation, it stances. N e blo w t le at for us to a i e n h W om um rd w and l sit n er, a o do is ha he w geth ’s physica in all circ fort you o t mmo embers t a o o d t d c n a h n u m a ll t Uga com laug ople als le inue mily ers in t hospit ogether, o help pe e to cont who can as too sm om. h t his fa o gd riv ers gw or m vernmen it close t o a lot t the d of believ ere doin s Kin i life f s d o e l g h H d n p g l f a o y ew uild wou thou cts c ses o es pe mmunit ork w e do to b so Even ched nur strangers hile proje God, giv w o e c a w th done t u g e f e a w e o n r k o i v i t y e w l t a a h i e w r h we given n we felt ses each t you h a and th e spi who his trip t s h a h t n g h e y e u h od du db ho and wom ned in t uche may be G down. W that Go ven t rs of Ug r o E t a . e t l n r d e g e We oth wh llin ppo ggle inde that, your stru y’s su for the m ike fa d be rem t l t i i l r n e i e u sp m at uf oul ray er wh en yo lem we w h com nue to p c r u matt u up wh h C nti rob yo odist please co big p h a t e hold h c ould ree M ess su the F at you w addr r o f th f ul hank y, we ask t o s ad re We a or us alre f h muc . team M T S rds de, atitu ria Edwa r G With nd Victo a Zach

The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 16