NEWS AND UPDATES FROM REGIONAL COUNCIL 15 (RC15)
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
It’s Your Call – Podcast
News from the Pews Newsletter
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 Continuing Education opportunities at the Atlantic School of Theology please click here.
Regional Council 15 (RC15) Committee Volunteer form.
Obituary: The Rev. Florence Marion Innes
Condolences are extended to the family and many friends of Rev. Marion Innes, who served our church in congregational ministry and also mentored ministry students as UCC Formation Director at AST. The obituary can be viewed here.
Foraging A Mosaic: Interfaith Harmony Halifax 2023 Jan.28 – Feb.13.
During this annual event the diverse communities of faith in HRM open their doors to welcome curious guests and adventurous neighbors. This year’s schedule is full of wonderful opportunities to try something new, engage in conversation, and visit a variety of sacred spaces. There are in-person and zoom venues. All are welcome!! The full schedule is attached.
‘Theology on the Spot – a Conversation’ – Maritime Cluster of Progressive Christians
The Maritime Cluster of Progressive Christians (those in Region 15 & FSLDW Region who lean toward a progressive, expansive, evolutionary approach to Christian theology) are invited to join in online conversation: Tuesday, February 7th at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Bring your ideas, topics, questions. We will also discuss future meeting dates. Zoom link available by contacting pixonsand@gmail.com.
Covenanting Service
A service to celebrate the covenant amongst the Rev. Catherine MacDonald, St. James United Church and Region 15 will be held on Sunday, February 12th @ 2 pm, with a reception to follow. Rev. Wendy Kean will lead the service and Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett will preach.
St. James United Church is located at 181 Portland Street, Dartmouth; the elevator is accessed via the parking lot entrance, which is reserved for those with mobility issues. There is plenty of additional parking at Moffatts Pharmacy across the street.
Getting Started in Stewardship
Getting Started in Stewardship
Tuesday, February 21 – 2pm AST & 2:30pm NL
Presented on Zoom
Join United Church people from across the country to learn some stewardship first principles.
Start with an online 2-hour course that answers questions like: What is stewardship all about anyway? Isn’t stewardship just a churchy word for fundraising? Why do people give, and why would they give to our church? What can we do to encourage greater generosity?
The practical assignments that follow will help you reflect on giving and generosity as part of your faith, gather and interpret some of the giving data from your community of faith, and build a stewardship team in order to start making stewardship a priority in your community of faith.
Completion of this course is a great first step before participating in Called To Be The Church: The Journey (Module 1), which will be offered next in March 2023.
Any questions, please contact Roger Janes at rjanes@united-church.ca.
Annual Declaration of Criminal Records
As we celebrate a New Year, we wish for you continued grace and fortitude to continue in your service to Christ and all those around you through the ministry of the Church. We’d like to advise you that the 2023 Annual Declaration for ministry personnel is now open, until May 19, 2023. It’s free and only takes a few minutes. Log in to churchhub.ca (Remember that Chrome or Edge are preferred browsers for ChurchHub; Safari is not optimal) If you make your Annual Declaration (about whether you’ve had criminal charges in the last year or not) each year, you do not need to get a new police records check! Need help accessing ChurchHub? Please contact ministry@united-church.ca.
ReVITALize 2023
ReVITALize 2023, a special learning event for lay people and people serving in ministry, will be held on June 7-9, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
All are invited and welcome! Stay tuned for updates and for registration information.
Rural Routes Through the Holy 2023: Save the Date
Rural Routes Through the Holy will hold its 2023 gathering from June 15 – 17 at Camp Abby, PEI. These gatherings provide a space of nurture for those in rural congregations and for the communities in which they live. Rural Routes is a gathering with time for both structured and informal conversations, worship, education, play, prayer, and table fellowship.
We’d like to share our stories and to hear yours; what is working well and what you lament or long for, what brings you joy and who is your neighbour. We’d like to imagine together ways in which members of small, rural congregations might remain grounded in and able to share the Gospel despite challenging circumstances. You can read about last year’s gathering here.
Are you considering retirement?
If you are considering retiring or have retired since our last annual meeting, please see our Regional retirement resource. If you have made the decision to retire please fill out the form.
Thank you.
