NEWS AND UPDATES FROM REGIONAL COUNCIL 15 (RC15)
Please send announcements to trose@united-church.ca
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
Emergency Response Memos for 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.
Regional Council 15 (RC15) Committee Volunteer form.
Condolences: Allen Hallett
Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Allen Hallett who passed away on February 3, 2022. Rev. Hallett served as a minister for Maritime Conference. The obituary can be viewed here.
Annual Meeting Registration is Now Open
Registration is now open for the annual meeting. Please read the memo sent today from the Executive Minister. Visit the annual meeting webpage regularly for the latest updates and information on the upcoming meeting.
Conversation with the President
View an invitation to a conversation with the President, Jane McDonald here.
Contact Tracing
To all members of Regional Council 15 (Nova Scotia):
Below is a statement from Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Strang, in response to church leaders’ questions regarding contact tracing:
Q: Is it necessary to record attendees for contact tracing?
A: Public Health is no longer asking organizations and businesses to keep lists of attendees for the purpose of contact tracing.
Thank you, once again, to all Communities of Faith for all of your efforts to keep our communities safe. Please continue to refer to the Government of Nova Scotia website for all guidance during the reopening plan: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/
If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to be in contact at fmaccuish@united-church.ca or at 1-800-268-3781 ext. 6156.
How will we meet as a Region going forward?
Dear Members and Communities of Faith of Regional Council 15,
The Annual Meeting Planning committee is busy with this year’s meeting planning. Once again we have had to move our meting to an online format. We are grateful that we have the ability to keep our regional and congregational work moving and thriving in many different ways through a pandemic. One of the learning from the pandemic is that we can have our annual meetings and the work of the Region can continue in a good way because of the advances of technology. A big thank you to all who have taken part in the work of the Region for the past two years in the midst of the such difficulty.
As we look to the future and ponder the question “how will we meet as a Region going forward” we need to hear from you. It is important that we ponder these questions together.
Please use this link to go to the questionnaire. I realize that one more task is not something any of us want right now, but we need our collective thoughts and idea to plan for the future.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated response and shared wisdo.
Sincerely,
The AGM Planning Committee
Certificate in Ministry of Supervision
Code: PT130
Dates: March 28, 2022 – April 1, 2022
Time: 9:00 am for 3 hours daily (via Zoom)
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 who are interested in supporting students and communities for supervised ministry education (SME), internships and field education. Read full information here.
Dreaming Survey – Future Events for Children, Youth and Young Adults
Dreaming is currently in progress concerning the future of events for Children, Youth and Young Adults in our region. You are invited to complete the following survey: https://forms.gle/qZpAGTy2SmanMwTM9 Please share this in your networks! Should there be any questions, please be in touch with Rev. Catherine Stuart, Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults cstuart@united-church.ca
New Prayer Bench Small Group Study: It’s Our Saga Too
This five-week Lent Small Group Study weaves the saga of Joseph with the journey of Jesus and invites us to think about hard things like violence, grief, values, temptation and forgiveness, and seek faithful ways to respond. You can review the complete first session to give you a good sense of this study. It includes the study paper written by the Rev. Dr. Hugh Farquhar and process by Janice MacLean. See https://prayerbench.ca/product/its-our-saga-too-lent-small-group-study/ Written as a small group study, it is also useful as a personal study during Lent or for a worship series. Some liturgical resources for use in worship services will available on the study webpage.
Lent 2022 Email Retreat and Holy Week Series
Lent offers a season of reflection. We make our journey applying our hearts to wisdom through a Lent retreat delivered in two parts, plus daily Holy Week meditations. Learn more at the Prayer Bench: https://prayerbench.ca/product/lent-retreats-holy-week-reflections/
Free Lent Calendar
Come by the Prayer Bench to pick up a free Lent Calendar: 40 Gestures Supporting Mindfulness & Presence. Get it here: https://prayerbench.ca/lent-calendar-40-gestures/
Hearings on Nuclear Waste Governance
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development is holding Hearings on the governance of nuclear waste in Canada. Recorded sessions are available here.
As an example of a written submission you may wish to read the one made on February 18th by Gail Wylie. She has been reporting on nuclear issues as a member of the Region’s East Eco-Justice Working Group (Justice Mission and Outreach Committee). While it is a personal submission, it is consistent with United Church policy related to nuclear waste, view here.
Understanding Antisemitism with a Critical-Thinking Lens
The Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee invites members of Communities of Faith in the regions of UCC East to a workshop, “Understanding Antisemitism with a Critical-Thinking Lens”. It will be conducted by Independent Jewish Voices Canada on zoom Saturday March 5th at 10:00 am. See details here. This is a learning opportunity offered as a follow-up to a proposal passed by Region 15 in September 2020 on antisemitism. Click here to register. This issue is especially timely as GC44 is updating United Church policy positions on Israel and Palestine.
Emmanuel College Connections
Saturday, March 5, 1-3pm Day with Emmanuel – Virtual Open House – Join us live on Zoom to experience the Emmanuel Community. Meet current faculty and students. Learn about the programs and applications process. Ask questions and make new friends.
