Memorial Scholarships

Carmen was born in Enterprise, Ontario, one of two sons in the family of Earl and Floetta Bell. Louisa was born in Limavady, Northern Ireland, one of sixteen siblings in the family of Samuel and Margaret Reilly. Her family emigrated to Canada, date unknown.

Upon completing school, Carmen initially began work in pharmacology at the Kingston General Hospital, but later moved to Toronto to work for the Toronto Transit Commission. There he met Louisa and through her influence became a Christian. They were married in 1950.

They attended the Toronto Broadview FM Church, where he served as Treasurer. Later he was active on a committee to build a new church on Warden Avenue, Wesley Chapel FM Church. They became members there and he again served as Treasurer, making his combined service record 50 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Lorne Park Foundation for more than thirty years.

He completed a long-service career with the TTC. After his retirement, they continued living in Toronto and remained active members at Wesley Chapel until their deaths.
They are buried in the Moscow Cemetery near Yarker Ontario.

GUIDELINES

For students preparing for service as ordained ministers in The Free Methodist Church in Canada or missionaries appointed by The Free Methodist Church in Canada.

Also to assist persons pursuing non-traditional educational experiences such as internships or special biblical study projects.

Earl Sims Bull was the first of six children born to Joseph and Nora (MacDonald) Bull. His middle name was in honor of a highly respected Pastor, Rev. Albert Sims.

He was raised on a farm near the small community of Jefferson, on Yonge Street, north of Richmond Hill. His family faithfully supported the Newmarket Free Methodist Church for many years.

On May 6, 1937, he married Violet Mae Perry, daughter of Rev. Norman and Hanna Perry. Their union was blessed with two sons and a daughter.

In 1937, sensing together a call to pastoral ministry in service of their Lord and Saviour, they began service as a team and over many years ministered in the following congregations:

• Oshawa supply (2 yrs),
• Huntsville (3 yrs),
• Picton (4 yrs),
• Harrowsmith (6 yrs),
• Newmarket (2 yrs),
• Armadale and Richmond Hill church-plant (7 yrs),
• Picton again (3 yrs)

Following this pastoral service, in 1963 he was elected to the superintendency of Canada East Conference, which position he held for seventeen years. During this period he provided visionary leadership to the Conference with a commitment to church growth and planting, pastoral training and guidance, and helping pastors successfully transition into retirement. He also spearheaded a cooperative endeavor by three denominations to found Aldersgate Homes Inc. in Belleville, a Christian retirement community.

Following his superintendency he completed his pastoral ministry by assisting at the Newmarket church for three more years. On his retirement in 1982 Earl and Violet became the first residents of Aldersgate Homes, and he served there as its first Administrator.

Their ministries were always as a team and done with wholehearted commitment. Violet was heavily involved in the Women’s Missionary Society for years, both in their local churches and at the Conference level.
Rev. & Mrs. Bull are buried in the Armadale Free Methodist Church cemetery.

To honour them, their children, Rev. Carl Bull, Norman Bull, and Erla (Bull) Hanson dedicate this scholarship to the Glory of God.

Guidelines

To assist persons studying in preparation for pastoral or missionary service in the Free Methodist Church.

Born in Brantford to Rev. M.O. Coates and Elizabeth Jane (née Hill) Coates. In 1930 he married Elva ‘Aleta’ Ecker (1908-2000) from Wisconsin. To them were born two daughters, Marilyn and Helen.

William and Aleta Coates gave pastoral leadership in West Ontario to the Charlemont FM Church from 1947 – 49. They went on to pastor two Free Methodist Churches in Oregon from 1949-62. In 1962-63 he served as Business Manager of Los Angeles Pacific College (now Azusa University). They then gave pastoral leadership to two FM churches in the California Conference (1963-71), before returning to Canada to retire in Dresden, Ontario. They are buried in the Dresden Cemetery.

He was born in Brantford Ontario to David E. Hill and Lucinda Hyndman, and was a first cousin of William A. Coates. He married Marguerite Byers in 1921 and they had one son, Lloyd, who predeceased them leaving no progeny.
Bruce was a farmer by occupation. Bruce, his wife and son are buried in the Free Methodist Cemetery in Kelvin, Ontario, the land for which was donated to the FM Church there by his parents.

Guidelines

To assist ministerial candidates of the Canada Great Lakes region of The Free Methodist Church in Canada who have financial need, exhibit potential for scholastic achievement and future leadership, and who are students at a Free Methodist college or approved seminary.

Wife of Rev. E. A. Cooper. To them were born two daughters, Rilla and Barbara.

With her husband she served in 12 pastoral appointments, and while he was Superintendent of the Great Lakes Conference. She taught Sunday school classes and served in Christian Youth Crusader camps over a period exceeding 40 years. She served as Conference President of the Women’s Missionary Christian Fellowship and taught for 2 years at Lorne Park College. She wrote for the Winona Lake Sunday School Journal over a 13-year period and was in regular correspondence with people serving in several overseas mission fields.

Guidelines

To assist Christian students with financial need in overseas conferences of the Free Methodist Church in pursuing practical studies, including Bible School training.

Leslie Freeman was a long-term lay member of a Free Methodist church in Hamilton, Ontario. His professional career was in teaching and education; when he retired he was the Superintendent of Public Schools for the Hamilton Board of Education. For 45 years he served on the boards of both Lorne Park College and the Lorne Park Foundation. He also gave leadership in several capacities in the national church prior to the formation of the Canadian FM General Conference.

Guidelines

To assist qualified students in pursuing higher education with an emphasis on training for lay service.

He served as the President/Director of Lorne Park College Foundation and as Executive Secretary of The Free Methodist Church in Canada. Some of his pastoral ministry was in the United States and there he assisted with the international Free Methodist radio program known as the “Light & Life Hour”.

Guidelines

To assist theology students in preparation for Christian ministry and to encourage the development of competent pastoral leadership.

Reynolds was born on a farm near Stittsville, Ontario, the eldest of six children. In 1941, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving at several bases in eastern Canada. In 1944, while serving in Windsor, Nova Scotia he attended a Nazarene Church and received Christ as his Saviour and Lord.

Shortly after discharge from the Air Force, he felt God’s calling into Pastoral ministry. He completed his theological training at Bible School in Brockville and was ordained Elder in the Holiness Movement Church, which transferred to the Free Methodist church following the 1959 merger.

In 1950, Eliza Jane Hodgins from Admaston, Ontario and Reynolds were married. Their family comprised four children, Bill, Stewart, Bonny and Anne. Eliza Jane was a dedicated homemaker and gracious hostess; Reynolds’ pastoral ministry was known for reaching out to others through his infectious love of people. Together, over a period of more than 50 years, they served at nine different churches in Ontario and Quebec, and for some of these he was the church planter.

Reynolds had a keen interest in community service, serving one term on the Whitby School Board, and in political parties emphasizing Christianity and free enterprise.

Guidelines

To assist students preparing to serve as church planters or bivocational church planters/pastors in FM churches in Canada.

Weston was born in Ottawa, Ontario to Andrew and Starla Klinger, shortly after Andrew’s ordination to pastoral ministry in the Free Methodist Church. At birth, he was found to have a rare disease that would result in his passing in less than six months.
During his brief life, spent in hospital and hospice care, their families, their pastors and local church family, and many colleagues provided incredible spiritual and emotional care and support, which continued long after his passing.
Weston’s life, although brief, had a profound impact on those involved in his journey. It engendered an outpouring of genuine Christian love and spiritual growth among those touched by it, and led to the establishment of this scholarship in his honour.

Guidelines

For Ministerial Candidates studying in preparation to become Ordained Ministers in The Free Methodist Church in Canada and pursuing a graduate or post-graduate degree.

Milton & Mary Shier

Milton D. Shier 1886 – 1958
Mary (McWade) Shier 1892 – 1986

They were residents of Bracebridge Ontario and were married there in 1915. Into their family were born two daughters, Winnifred and Wilma, and two sons, Stanley and Gerald (Gerry).
They were long-term members of the Bracebridge Free Methodist Church. He was a partner in a family-owned business in Bracebridge, JD Shier Lumber Co. Ltd.

Prior to their marriage she was a public school teacher in the Muskoka District, teaching by preference in some of its rural schools. After their children were grown she continued teaching as a supply teacher. She was a thoughtful Bible scholar, well-liked Sunday school teacher, and served often as a very capable lay delegate for the Bracebridge FM church to the East Ontario Annual Conference.

Both are buried in the Bracebridge United Church Cemetery.

Guidelines

To recognize a Free Methodist student, graduating from a college or university, who has achieved academic excellence.

Donald Lloyd Snider 1954-2002
Darlene Elizabeth (Kenny) Snider-Robbins 1958-2022

Donald Snider was born to Floyd and Wilma (Kay) Snider of Westport, ON, one of their family of seven boys and one girl.

Darlene Kenny was the eldest child and only daughter of the three children of David and Elva (Craven) Kenny of Brewers Mills, ON.

In 1978, Donald and Darlene were married. Their union was blessed with two children, Derek (1981) and Melissa (1984), and later four grandchildren.

Music was very significant throughout their lives. Don played bass guitar and sang gospel music with “The Snider Family” for 35 years. He also served as president, and treasurer, and for over 15 years was a board member of the Canadian Gospel Music Association, from which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

At age 12, Darlene became pianist for “The Snider Family” and began her journey of composing songs and being the anchor for the group. She amazed everyone with her ability to hear a song once, transpose it at once to any key, and grasp the intricacies to make it excellent. Her compositions included, “As For Me and My House,” “Take Courage,” and “The Time Has Come.”

Don’s joyous smile and enthusiastic encouragement were his natural style. When helping a friend or neighbour, his gentle humour and keen mind made everything brighter.

Darlene taught piano to dozens of students, and also how to write their own music. Her artistic eye for design was integral in her ministry and whatever she did was always first class.

Don and Darlene both had the ability to make others feel empowered, encouraging both young and old to play various instruments and to participate in church worship teams. Investing in the lives of ordinary people and helping to connect them to an extraordinary God was their greatest reward.

When in a tragic car accident Don was called home on December 13, 2002, his church family and friends established this scholarship in his memory.

After Don’s untimely passing, Darlene was married again in 2019 to Steve Robbins and found new joy in life. On May 12, 2022, after a courageous, short fight with cancer, Darlene passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus.

Donald and Darlene are buried in the Westport United Church Cemetery.
“Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Guidelines

For students preparing for youth ministry in the FMC. 

Rev. George Wesley (“GW”) Stevens

1903 – 1981

He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the oldest of five children.  Converted in his early teens at a Free Methodist camp meeting, he became active in youth ministries in his local church in Hamilton.

Upon receiving a divine calling to full-time pastoral service, he was appointed in 1926 to a rural Free Methodist church near Wallaceburg, Ontario. His ministry included pastoral service in five other Ontario churches and six years as Superintendent of the West Ontario Conference. He was then elected to be a General Conference Evangelist and over a ten-year period ministered extensively in North America. His last pastoral appointment was to the FM church in New Westminster BC. While there he fulfilled a long-held ambition, initiating and completing construction of a Christian seniors residence – Wesley Manor, a 56-suite complex adjacent to the church.  He retired from active ministry in 1969. He is buried in Valley View Gardens cemetery in Surrey BC.

In 1927 he was married to Alice Eagle, who was an invaluable lifelong partner to his ministry. They raised a family of four boys and two girls, and became grandparents of twenty grandchildren.

Guidelines

To assist persons taking post-secondary or seminary studies for pastoral or other ministry in a Free Methodist Church.

Marion P. Sutton (Daughter) 1935 – 2021

Rev. Benjamin A. Sutton 1906 – 1996

Leah (Wells)  Sutton  1901 – 1977

Marion Sutton worked for Bell Canada throughout her life and was a member of the Holt Free Methodist Church. This scholarship was established on Marion’s behalf, posthumously, by the Holt FM Church, in her memory and in honour of her parents, Rev. Benjamin A. and Leah (Wells) Sutton.

Benjamin was the second of four children born to James and Elizabeth (Barnhardt) Sutton. In his early career, Rev. Sutton taught grade school at Marmora. There, he met Leah Wells at the Marmora Free Methodist Church, and they were married in 1928. Their union was blessed with a son, Harold, as well as daughter, Marion.

Benjamin was first listed in the Free Methodist Yearbook in 1931 as a Deacon in the East Ontario Conference (later Canada East Conference), and then in 1935 as an ordained Elder. During his pastoral ministry in that Conference, the Suttons served at Belhaven &  Baldwin, Peterborough, Armadale, Toronto–Eglinton & North York, Gravenhurst, Pine Lake, Bracebridge, Uxbridge, Westport & Bolingbroke, Odessa, Newburgh, Orillia, Severn Bridge, West Toronto, and Warkworth & Castleton.  Notably,  Rev. Sutton was very articulate in his preaching and a good steward of the finances and resources of the churches he pastored.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, in 1946 Rev. Sutton was elected Treasurer of the East Ontario Conference, a position he held for twenty-seven years. After retiring from active ministry in 1971, he served as a minister of visitation at Belleville Centennial Free Methodist Church.

Rev. Sutton, his wife Leah, and daughter Marion are buried in the Queensville Cemetery, York Regional Municipality, Ontario.

Guidelines

Priority is to assist those studying for missionary service under appointment by The Free Methodist Church in Canada.  Consideration will also be given to those training to become ordained ministers in The FMCiC.

Born in Mountain Grove, north of Kingston, ON to Rev. Donald and Esther White, a Free Methodist pastoral family having four children. After high school in Belleville, Bill moved to Toronto, completed an Electronics Technology program at Ryerson Polytechnic (1966) and then worked in Belleville at Bell Canada Engineering.

After his marriage to Myrna Sine in 1968, Bill felt the call of God on his life and returned to school, graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY (1971) and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY (1973).

Returning to Ontario, Bill gave eleven years of pastoral service first at Picton Free Methodist Church and then Warkworth FMC. While serving at Warkworth he began part-time service as chaplain at the federal Correctional Institute there, then transferred into full-time chaplaincy.

Three sons were born to Bill and Myrna – Donald, Derek and Grant. Bill loved hunting and outdoor sports, especially hockey. He was also very involved with his sons, supporting and encouraging them in all areas of their lives.

He passed away suddenly on May 5, 1986 while serving as Protestant Chaplain at Warkworth Penitentiary. He is buried in Crawford Cemetery in McDonald’s Corners, ON.

Guidelines

For Free Methodist ministerial students who are pursuing a career in chaplaincy.