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.
Forms Related to Retirees, Jubilarians, and Workshop Space Requests
Please click here for a memo from Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, with information regarding forms related to Retirees, Jubilarians, and Workshop Space Requests.
‘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.
Learning Events:
As a commitment to providing connection and learning, Regional Council 15 has asked committees to take a turn hosting webinars. In November we had a learning webinar on Governance and Ministry. Our February learning event is being hosted by the Affirm Committee: Please see information and registration below.
Neurodiversity Zoom Webinar February 13, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm. Hosted by: Regional Council 15 Affirm Committee
Neurodiversity Webinar: This webinar is one in a series of education events in which we affirm and honour the gifts and presence of a diverse humanity.
This webinar introduces the idea of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) as one way of being neurodiverse and how an awareness of TBI can lead to the beginnings of intercultural inclusiveness in our communities of faith. Intersectionality will also be discussed.
Resource person: The Rev. Shelley Pick is a volunteer chaplain and community educator with Brain Injury Nova Scotia. She has lived with a brain injury since 2007 and feels passionately about helping brain injury survivors understand and navigate their lives post injury.
Register Now! Click HERE to Register for the Neurodiversity Webinar
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email, containing information and links to join the event.
Job Posting: Director of Growth – The United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is seeking an individual to fill the role of Director of Growth and Ministry Development in the Organizational Development and Strategy Unit (ODS) on a permanent full-time basis (35 hours/week). Closing date: February 20, 2023.
The United Church of Canada has adopted a hybrid workplace model and thus providing flexibility for this position. The incumbent will be provided, for work purposes, use of secure devices and must be available by email, phone, teams or zoom during regular office hours Monday to Friday. From time to time, they will be required, to work from the General Council Office, currently located at 200-3250 Bloor St. W. in Toronto, and to travel to meetings within Canada.
Please click here for the full job posting.
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.
Property Inventory Update – January 2023
The RC15 property inventory list has been updated for January 2023, this inventory lists property (buildings, cemeteries, lands) currently registered to your pastoral charge. All forms and amendments received up to January 25, 2023 are included. Pastoral charges who do not hold property will not appear on the list. Please take a moment to review and ensure your pastoral charge details are correct, you can review by A-Z property name or by postal code using the link below and submit a form if there are any additions or amendments.
Start Planning your Lenten Study
Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 22! Get ready with the new 2023 Lenten devotional, Good Courage: Daily Reflections on Hope, from the United Church Publishing House.
Good Courage offers honest testimonies from people who have had the courage to follow their hearts, to hope against hope, and to faithfully work toward a better world.
Edited by the Rev. Alydia Smith, this new Lenten devotional includes daily scripture, reflections, study questions, and prayers for individuals or groups.
Get your copy today from the United Church Bookstore. Available in print and as an ebook!
Grant Opportunity – Relief Fund for Thriving Congregations
The United Church of Canada Foundation has sent us the below information for a grant opportunity that your community of faith may benefit from:
“Last year an anonymous couple, who have deep love for the church and who have been members of various congregations across the country, created the Relief Fund for Thriving Congregations.
This granting fund will provide the opportunity for congregations that have plans to continue to be of service to their communities and that have vibrant programs and outreach to receive a grant to help alleviate the pressure of debt.
We understand that some congregations in your region have been carrying significant debt and believe that this grant opportunity may be of help to you. We will be accepting applications for this grant from 15 January – 15 April 2023. The application, and additional details, is available on our website (click here).”
Please contact Jenna Yango Leonard, Foundation Coordinator at JYLeonard@united-church.ca or 1-866-340-8223 with any questions you may have and please feel free to share details of this grant with other congregations you think may benefit.
