First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council
Weekly Announcements
May 26, 2020
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council Page Emergency Response Link
United Church Bookstore & Gifts
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council is now on Facebook!
UCC Regions East YouTube Chanel
Weekly Prayer from Rev. Larry Noseworthy, Newtown-Lumsden Pastoral Charge
Supporting and sustaining God, we come before you in prayer concerned for our families, our communities of faith, our friends and neighbours in communities and others we know and those we don’t, wherever they live. We come before you humble and humbled because we had no idea when we first heard about the corona virus the havoc and destruction this virus would bring to our world. If someone had suggested to us in the first week of the year 2020 that by mid march the world would be in the midst of a giant shutdown, we would not have believed it. Yet here we are. We are just as vulnerable, if not more so, from this corona virus as we were in any of the major wars of recent centuries. We do not understand how and why this is happening beyond the fact that what we have been asked to do to flatten the curve are things we should be doing by nature; keeping appropriate distancing, not sharing drinks passed around in a container or passing around a cigarette or recreational drugs among a group, practicing good hygiene, staying away from people when we are or feel we might be sick. How often do we fail to do this? Yet, when we see the need to do so and respond faithfully to that need, we realize before too long the benefit of our individual and collective commitment.
Although this is a challenging time in our life journey, we still can find many things for which to be thankful. All of the front-line workers, the doctors and nurses who have cared for people at risk to themselves, and unfortunately some have paid the ultimate sacrifice; the screeners and testers for the virus who also worked directly with those being tested. The pharmacists, store clerks and other essential workers who were in contact with infected clients. The medical and political officials who monitor the advance and decline of positive tests for the virus and the rate of recovery and offer directives the general public should follow to prevent spread of the virus; the drivers who made the deliveries to the businesses to provide the necessities we need, and those who delivered products and prescriptions to the customers. There is always a danger in thanking people and groups that some will be inadvertently omitted and, at times like this, there are many working unknown on and behind the scenes. We offer our praise and thanks to all who have helped in any way. We acknowledge everyone who subscribed to the directives of distancing and isolation as suggested by our medical and government officials. There has been some talk in the media about identifying the parties that are responsible for allowing this virus to develop and spread unreported for such a long time. This action at this time is not particularly helpful. The goal for everyone right now should be on battling, controlling and reducing the risk of the virus. Everyone has a part to play and by working together, we can achieve great things. So let us remain faithful to that call. We continue to pray for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic event. We recognize not only the loss of a life but also the opportunity to gather, grieve and support one another, to celebrate the life of the person in a traditional manner. We continue to pray for the essential workers in the hospitals and in long-term care facilities and retirement homes where most of the deaths have occurred. We pray for one another that we can remain faithful to the role we have to play.
The Scottish spirituality compares sin to a snake in the grass ready to pounce on someone in his or her moment of vulnerability. Let us remain alert, as Jesus so often reminded his disciples, so that we are not caught unaware. Help us to keep up our guard and faithfully adhere to the practices which we have been observing. In Acts 1 we learn that Jesus told his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they have received the Holy Spirit. Let us remain in our Jerusalem until it is safe to leave. Amen.
Oliver Dingwell called to be the new Minister at Cowan Heights United, St. John’s
Following the approval by the Official Board and the approval of the Regional Council, Cowan Heights United Church is pleased to announce that Mr. Oliver Dingwell will be called on June 1, 2020. Oliver Dingwell holds a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel College, University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Oliver brings a wealth of experience to his ministry at Cowan Heights, having served in various capacities across The United Church of Canada, including General Council and Regional Council committees, Director of Music Ministry at Kingsway-Lambton United Church in Toronto, Intern Minister at Alderwood United Church in Toronto, and Supply Minister at Cowan Heights. During his studies at Emmanuel College, he served as a student chaplain at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Oliver has been in high demand as a preacher, liturgist and musician, for which he has received numerous accolades and awards. Oliver has relocated from Toronto and resides in Torbay with his fiancée Samantha and their cat Nugs.
Conversation with Ministry Personnel
Our next conversation will be Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 1:00 pm. The focus of this gathering will be caring for ourselves in this time of uncertainty. Please plan to join in as we learn some practical ways to work through this time and prepare to look at opening for in-person worship.
Conversation with Governing Body
This gathering will be a town hall meeting. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 11:00 am. Ministry personnel and governing bodies are invited to join in as we begin to look at opening our churches for in-person worship once again. On Monday, May 25, guidelines were posted and distributed via email on resuming in–person worship. Please read the document and bring your questions as we gather together.
Youth Forum – THIS WEEKEND!
First Dawn Eastern Edge Youth Forum gathering together on Zoom! 
May 29 – 30, 2020
Accommodations at your own house!!
Theme: You are Salt. You are Light
To register, email fdeeyouth@gmail.com with:
- full name
- age (age range junior high through high school)
- mailing address
- phone numbers
- home church
Any questions, please contact Ian at fdeeyouth@gmail.com or call 709-368-2194
Rendez-vous 2020
Rendez-vous 2020 is going ahead in August 2020 – just in a different way. Due to the ongoing health crisis, we will not be able to hold a large gathering in Calgary. Rendez-vous brings together youth (entering grade 9 and up to any age), young adults, and their leaders from across the church. Through real-time online events, recordings, and DIY workshop kits, we will celebrate bold faith, brave space, and brazen grace. Click here for more information.
UCC East YouTube Channel
UCC East has a YouTube Channel! Rev. Catherine Stuart, UCC East Minister of Children, Youth and Young Adults, wants to hear your suggestions and answer any questions you might have for our YouTube channel: cstuart@united-church.ca.
Distribution List – Email Addresses
Has your email address changed? Is it about to change? To continue to receive important announcements and correspondence from First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, please notify Leona Laundry. She will update your information to ensure you are current with the happenings in FDEE Regional Council.
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council Webpage Emergency Response Link
Stay updated with Emergency Response Updates on COVID-19 on the First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council webpage.
Announcements
If you have news to share relating to First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, please share it with us and we will include it in our weekly announcements.
Send any information to: info4rc16@united-church.ca.
