NEWS AND UPDATES FROM REGIONAL COUNCIL 15 (RC15)
Please send announcements to trose@united-church.ca
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
Emergency Response Memo’s Regional Council 15 (RC15)
Making Hope Visible – Podcast
To view upcoming programs at the Tatamagouche Centre please click here.
To view upcoming events at the Atlantic School of Theology please click here.
To view upcoming programs at the United Theological College please click here.
Regional Council 15 (RC15) Committee Volunteer form.
Condolences: Karen Pearce
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Rev. Karen Pearce who passed away January 5, 2021. A copy of the obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: Pam Harrison
The sincere condolences of the three Regions go out to the family of Pam Harrison. Pam was the first staff person to serve the Maritimes and the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference as the Special Gifts Officer, a General Council position deployed in what is now known as the First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, Regional Council 15 and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council. Pam was known to all of us as a fun-loving, brave and passionate person. Her love for the United Church and its communities was seen in everything she did. With humble gratitude we remember her life and Ministry. A copy of the obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: James Walter Forbes
Our sympathy is extended to Rev. Carolyn Palmer, and family, whose husband Rev. James Forbes passed away January 7, 2021. A copy of the obituary can be viewed here.
Tri-Regional Town Hall
The three eastern regions of the United Church invite clergy, Board/Council Chairs, and Pastoral Charge Supervisors to participate in a Tri-Regional Town Hall meeting for discussion and information regarding Annual Congregational Meetings for 2021. We will be discussing the motions passed by the Sub-Executive of the General Council pertaining to Annual Meetings. The must haves and the how-to in these different and difficult times. Date: January 28, 2021 at 12:30 pm (Atlantic) Zoom instructions are available here.
Atlantic Regions Ministry and Personnel Committees – Managing Conflict
A webinar for lay members of M&P Committees
Saturday, February 20, 2021
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Atlantic, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Newfoundland
Register here, deadline to register Feb 15, 2020
This webinar will be resourced by the three Regional Ministers of the Atlantic Regions, Kendall Harrison (Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters), David Hewitt (Region 15) and Heather Sandford (First Dawn Eastern Edge). Topics will include roles and responsibilities, stages of conflict, strategies for addressing conflict, resources and support. . For more information, please contact the Regional Minister for your Region.
Archives and Artifacts Workshops
Have questions about archives and records in the United Church? Have questions about artifacts that your community of faith owns? Join us for two workshops via Zoom. Participants from FSLDW and Region 15 both welcome!
Workshop # 1
Title: To Archive or Not To Archive?
Presented by: Sarah Wallace, Archivist, FSLDW and Region 15
Date: January 21, 2021
Time: 1:30-4:00 p.m.
R.S.V.P.: jmandrs@mta.ca by January 19, 2021
Workshop # 2
Title: Artifacts Unlocked!
Presented by: Julielynne Anderson, Chair, Archives and Records FSLDW and member of the Denominational Working Group on Artifacts
Date: January 28, 2021
Time: 1:30-4:00 p.m.
R.S.V.P.: jmandrs@mta.ca by January 26, 2021
Stewardship Updates
Mission & Service 2020 – Deadline for forwarding gifts
We want to remind pastoral charges that the deadline to transfer their 2020 Mission & Service donations is Friday, January 29th. For anyone who needs information around ways to transfer their Mission & Service, please contact Roger (rjanes@united-church.ca)
Read Mission & Service 2021 updates here.
While in-person visits and workshops are suspended at this time, please know that I am here as a Stewardship Resource for you. I am available by telephone, e-mail and Zoom and would be excited to participate in online consultations with individuals and groups and to continue to share resources in the areas of Congregational Giving, Mission & Service, Planned Legacy Giving, United Church Foundation and investing opportunities for your congregation. Please do not hesitate to be in touch. Rev. Roger Janes, Stewardship & Gifts Officer. rjanes@united-church.ca or call (709) 486-3239.
Making Hope Visible Podcast Episode available: Don MacDougall – Contemplative Living and Justice Seeking
Contemplative practices and ways of living are complimentary practices to working for change. In this episode Laura talks to Rev. Don MacDougall, a wise teacher, leader, and mentor of Spiritual Direction and contemplative living. They dig into the differences between dedicated practice and spontaneous practice, why “mindfulness” might not be the best word to describe the practice, and how it is important for all of us to have ways that we attend to our hearts and minds while working for change in the world. Don describes what was missing for him after 8 years of preparation for ministry and how a journey into contemplative ways of living and working helped. You will find this episode and past episodes at Making Hope Visible
Call for Nominations: Three Youth Members
Are you, or do you know, a young adult (18-30) who is passionate about the church and ecumenical conversations in Canada?The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) is adding three Youth Members to its Governing Board. The United Church of Canada is invited to nominate one of our members for these positions. Link to nomination form here.
Certificate in Ministry of Supervision, February 22 – February 26 Intensive 2021 Vancouver School of Theology
Training for Ministry of Supervision is an intensive being offered in February 2021 in order to equip people to be credentialed as supervisors for Supervised Ministry Experience students within the United Church of Canada. The Certificate in Ministry of Supervision provides participants with the information and skills to mentor individuals preparing for ministry by equipping them for supervision including pastoral practices, leadership, reflection, feedback and spiritual guidance. It is designed for clergy and lay individuals. Instructors: Rev. Brenda Fawkes and Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson, Office of Vocation Ministers in Pacific and Atlantic Regions. This online course is available to participants from any region of Canada or beyond with an interest in credentialing for supervision.
Ministry of Supervision is offered in partnership with the Vancouver School of Theology and is an online (zoom) format using Canvas for student and instructor interaction and resources. Course Fee: $211.50
Class times: 9:00am-12:00pm (Pacific); 10:00am-1:000pm (Mountain); 11:00am-2:00pm (Central) 12:00pm-3:00pm (Eastern) 1:00pm-4:00pm (Atlantic) 1:30-4:30 (Newfoundland) PREREQUISITES: A minimum of five years of experience in congregational ministry leadership. Contact arichardson@united-church.ca for more information.
Books Available for Pre-Order
The United Church Bookstore is now taking pre-orders the 2020 editions of:
Shepherding The Seasons, Author: Catherine Foote and Faith on the Move: Daily reflections on hope and change, Edited by: Julie McGonegal, see further information here. These books are new editions published in 2020. Contact Leona Laundry, llaundrey@nited-church.ca or call 1-800-268-3781 ext 6141 for more information or to order. Order deadline is January 15, 2021
Pine Hill Divinity Hall Continuing Education Bursary 20-21
Review the guidelines and contact information here. Deadline for applications is February 1, 2021
UN World Interfaith Harmony Week Halifax
“Sharing Common Ground in Uncommon Times” UN Interfaith Harmony Week Halifax. Jan.31-Feb.7, 2021. Join in the celebration! This year’s events (worship, ritual, prayer, practice, study) are all available online! See the full Sacred Spaces schedule at ihhalifax.ca. Sacred Spaces Hosts include: Brahma Kumaris Centre, Mi’kmaq Pipe Carrier George Doyle-Bedwell, Shaar Shalom Congregation, Halifax Universalist Unitarian, Ummah Masjid, Shambhala Buddhist Centre, Baha’i Community, Earth Spirit Society, Presbyterian Church of Saint David. Want to deepen your experience? Join in the Interfaith Engagement Program – Full details here.
Three important Eco-Justice options from the Eco-Justice Working Unit
A. Mon. Jan. 18, 2021, 5-6:30pm A national UCC call to lift up resources available and plan how to support each other in communities of faith, networks, and regions, to take up these resources and build local initiatives for climate action. View further details here.
B. The ecumenical For The Love of Creation is a great opportunity to build climate justice leaders in our churches and contribute to ecumenical push for climate conversations, theological reflection and advocacy.
C. United Church people are invited to join Anglican Diocese of NS/PEI Environmental Network (DEN) Zoom calls on various topics. View further details here.
Bedeque Pastoral Charge, Bedeque, PEI
Position: Full time Ordained/Commissioned Minister or full time Student Minister
Position Summary: The congregation of the Bedeque Pastoral Charge is searching for a dynamic individual to fill a full time ordained/commissioned minister or student position on or about March 1st, 2021. The minister is responsible to the Official Board and would be accountable to the Region for the general conduct of the ministry. Bedeque United Church’s spiritual atmosphere is enjoyable and rewarding with a supportive congregation of strong faith and commitment.
Start Date: on or about March 1, 2021
For more information contact: Jack Spencer jackrichardspencer@gmail.com or 902-836-3347
Living The Faith and Terms
