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.
Interested in Attending the Retirees and Jubilarians Dinner?
If you are interested in attending the Retirees and Jubilarians dinner being held at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) on June 10 fill-out the MSVU Meals and Accommodations form choosing option “Selecting Meals Individually”, then select “Dinner June 10”. From there you can follow payment instructions. If you have any questions please contact MSVU directly, their contact information can be found on the link above.
Elected Members
Thanks to those pastoral charges who have submitted their form already, there is no need to resubmit.
For those pastoral charges still to do so we remind you that this form is required in order for your elected members to have voting privileges at the annual meeting. As the deadline has already passed, we ask that you submit this form as soon as possible.
No elected member willing to stand? Complete the form and indicate VACANT in the member name box.
RC15 Elected Members Memo and The Discipleship of Being a Member to Regional Council 15
Youth @ Region! (Formerly I@C and YF!)
Registration for Youth @ Region is now live! Please make this link available to the youth, grades 6-12 in your community of faith. Have questions? Email Catherine Stuart, Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults, cstuart@united-church.ca.
Moderator Visit – Woodlawn United Church
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is coming to Dartmouth. You are invited to hear the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne – our Moderator – speak at Woodlawn United Church (54 Woodlawn Rd., Dartmouth) on Saturday afternoon, April 15. We’re focusing on Renewing Hope in our churches.
We’ll begin at 3:00 pm with a brief, chapel-style service. Then from 3:30pm-4:30 pm, the Moderator will speak followed by a facilitated Question and Answer time following her address – we’ll have post-it notes for you to write down your questions. Questions can also be sent to ucfd@gracedartmouth.ca. There will be a reception downstairs from 4:30pm with light refreshments.
This should all wrap up by 5:00ish. We know Saturdays are busy for a lot of families: if you can only join us for a piece of this event, please do so.
This event is sponsored by United Churches for Dartmouth; all are welcome.
April 16 to 23 is Earth Week!
Join the many faith communities that are taking action for climate justice during Earth Week (April 16-23, and beyond!)
Sunday April 16th or April 23rd is Earth Sunday! Focus sacred readings, prayers and messages on loving and caring for the Earth. Use “For the Love of Creation” worship resources or those of your own choosing. Earth Day Sunday Worship Service, click here – Use in full or in part.
Sign the Open Letter to Stephen Guilbeault, M.P. Minister of Environment & Climate Change, click here.
The theme for the global Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”. There are a number of online resources available including 52 actions for any day of the year. Access additional resources for the campaign.
2023 Self-Assessment Form Now Available
Greetings from your Region 15 Living Faith Stories and Community Covenant Committee!
We are happy to announce that the 2023 Self-Assessment Questionnaire is now available and ready for communities of faith to complete.
The Self-Assessment process is an opportunity for every community of faith within Region 15 to review together the ways in which they have been living out their mission and ministry on a regular basis. It also provides an opportunity for the Region to evaluate the ways in which it might strengthen connections between communities living through similar circumstances and best use its resources for the building up of the church in Nova Scotia and Bermuda. Please take the time to complete this assessment together with your governing body and/or congregation.
The form can be found here.
Deadline for completion is June 30th, 2023.
Thank you and blessings on your continued ministry!
Seeking Director of Music (Part-time), Grace United Church, Dartmouth, N.S.
We are hiring a new Director of Music (part-time) at Grace United Church, Dartmouth, N.S. The Job Ad as seen here, gives a brief description of the position and information regarding the application process. Please visit our website (http://www.gracedartmouth.ca/music-director) for a detailed job description and information about life at Grace United Church.
Grant Opportunity – Relief Fund for Thriving Congregations
The United Church of Canada Foundation has sent us the following 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. Applications are being accepted for this grant from 15 January – 15 April 2023. The application, and additional details, are available 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.
Turning Ourselves Inside Out: Late COVID Reflections on Thriving Churches
Monday, April 17th and April 24th via Zoom
8:00 pm Atlantic/7:00 pm Eastern
$20 per person plus Eventbrite Fee
Two evening sessions with Russ Daye and Rob Fennell, co-authors of Turning Ourselves Inside Out: Thriving Christian Communities. Join these two pastor-scholars to learn about their research on thriving churches, and their most recent reflections on church life in the COVID era. These sessions will be interactive and will not be recorded.
These sessions are geared towards anyone who wants to learn how churches can thrive in the post-COVID era.
The first 40 registrants will receive a FREE paperback copy, by post, of the book, Turning Ourselves Inside Out: Thriving Christian Communities. Register soon!
To learn more about this book, go to: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506470023/Turning-Ourselves-Inside-Out
To attend, please register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/turning-ourselves-inside-out-late-covid-reflections-on-thriving-churches-tickets-532118449607
Ask and Imagine: Youth! YAYA Leaders – National Conversation
We invite those who lead and love young people to a Zoom conversation—a first step—to hear what young people have told us and to invite your thoughts, questions, and opinions.
The conversations will be led by Pamela Evans, Pacific Mountain Regional Council, and Amy Crawford, General Council.
Please join us at one of these four opportunities—no registration is required:
Tuesday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 27, 1:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 27, 5:00 p.m. ET
Monday, May 1, 9:00 p.m. ET
Zoom link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/87351214321
Nuclear Power Initiatives in Atlantic Region raise concerns
The Coalition for Responsible Energy Development In New Brunswick (CRED-NB) is actively raising concerns about several nuclear power developments in New Brunswick
Concern with NB Power Exploring Partnership with Ontario Power Generation
New Brunswick government and NB Power misleading the public about plan for ARC-100 radioactive waste
