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.
Elected Members to Regional Council 2023
Please use the below link to complete the elected members form to Regional Council for 2023, thank you to those who have completed it already. Without completing this form elected members will not be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.
RC15 Elected Members Memo and The Discipleship of Being a Member to Regional Council 15
Nominations are Open for President-Elect
Regional Council 15 is seeking nominations for President-Elect. The President serves for a total of 3 years: as President-Elect, President, and Past-President. The President-Elect will serve as a member of the Regional Executive, leading our Region in its work and ministry, within the bounds of the Region. Serving as President of the Region offers many unique and exciting opportunities to engage in the work and life of the Region. More information on the role of President can be found here.
The election will take place at the Annual meeting. In order to post bios of the nominees and have an opportunity for the nominees to address the council, please submitted nominations by May 19, 2023 at midnight. Nominations are open to all members of Regional Council 15, including ministry personnel and lay representatives. To submit your nomination, please fill out the form here. The nomination form must include the name of the mover and seconder of the nomination. The Nominee, the mover and seconder must be members of Regional Council. Nomination can also come from the floor of the meeting at which time the deadline will be at the close of the Friday night session. If you have any questions, please contact Nominations Chair, Alicia Cox.
Childcare Providers Needed for Annual Meeting
The Region is looking for people who are certified to provide paid childcare at our annual meeting. If you are that someone or know of someone please forward your resume to Jenn Whittemore at the Regional Office.
Executive Minutes
The approved minutes from the November 29, 2022 Executive meeting are now available on the RC15 website.
Film Screening for Trans Visibility Day, March 31st
Celebrate Trans Day of Visiblity Friday, March 31 with Bedford United Church for this special, nation-wide screening of “Dawn, Her Dad, & the Tractor.” As a young trans woman and her estranged father begin to restore the old family tractor, they cautiously rebuild their relationship and come to understand the mechanics of the heart.
Suggested donation $10 to go to the DAWN fund at Phoenix Youth Programs, supporting trans youth in the Maritimes.
Friday, March 31 at 7pm; facilitated discussion to follow
Location: Bedford United Church, Sanctuary. 1200 Bedford Highway.
Bring your favourite movie snacks!
Rated PG, Mature. Content note for language and a brief scene of sexual touching without consent.
Please share with family and friends. Link to trailer found here.
Covenanting Service Postponed
Please note the Covenanting service for Shubenacadie Pastoral Charge and Rev Krista Elizabeth Winn did NOT happen March 26 and will be rescheduled in the months ahead.
Region 15 Ministry and Personnel Committee webinar
M&P 101
An introductory webinar for Ministry and Personnel Committee members will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., facilitated by Regional Minister David Hewitt. Topics will include:
• Purpose and function of M&P Committee
• Confidentiality and Accountability
• Record keeping
• Annual Reviews
• Conflict
• Leaves
• Resources
• Q&A
Please register to confirm your attendance, share your questions, and receive the Zoom link.
Registration: https://ucceast.ca/77224-2023-region-15-ministry-and-personnel-committee-workshop
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca.
Property Inventory Update – March 2023
The RC15 property inventory list has been updated for March 2023, this inventory lists property (buildings, cemeteries, lands) currently registered to your pastoral charge. All forms and amendments received up to March 28, 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.
Classic Sanctuary Furniture
Three Gothic style chairs and/or pulpit available free for collection from Parkhill United Church building, 5 Kirk Rd, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3P 1A5. If interested, please contact Sheila Kindred at kindredsheila@hotmail.com.
An Easter Retreat: for Personal & Con Ed
Beating Hearts: An Easter Retreat (Digital Resource)
There are beating hearts in the garden of life, and we hear echoes of other stories in our tradition in this Easter story. By holding them side by side and pondering on them, we gain insight into the true meaning of Easter. We come heart to heart with the ever-seeking Mary Magdalene and the two early morning runners and learn how to see. We ponder what spiritual practice might nourish us during the 50 Great Days of Easter.
What You Receive Learn more
A nine-page Retreat Guide offer suggestions for creating a space for settling into your retreat, a reflection on the theme, Beating Hearts, several prompts to evoke reflection, art or journaling, and three suggestions for spiritual practice during the Easter season.
You have permission to share this retreat with others for the purpose of retreating together in the same space.
There is no right or wrong way to make this Easter retreat. You might want to set aside an hour or a half day of quiet time. You might want to get up at sunrise, matching your setting with the time of the story. You might want to work with the retreat over a few days, allowing it to work in you. You will know what your heart needs and what fits with the realities of your life.
Moderator Visit
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.
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.
Women’s Retreat
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Where: St. John’s United Church, 75 Alma St., Moncton, NB (use Victoria St. entrance); on-street parking is available free of charge on Saturday.
Introduction: In the fall of 2019, St. John’s United Church in Moncton hosted a gathering of women for a half-day retreat led by Rev. Janice MacLean. The event brought together women from the greater Moncton region and provided space for learning, sharing and growth in faith. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and we’ve looked forward to being able to host the second Women’s retreat, led by Rev. Janice MacLean and hosted by St. John’s United ever since. It is finally time!
Theme: Inviting Kindness
Being kind – truly kind – is hard work. It is more than being “nice” or simple “do-goodery.” It asks us to reach out, take risks, and expect nothing in return. During our retreat day, we’ll journey with Ruth from the bible, who might surprise us with how she radically extended kindness. We’ll look at prayers, quotes and bits of poems that encourage kindness. We’ll see the kindness in ourselves and celebrate how we can change the world by inviting kindness.
Facilitator: Rev. Janice MacLean
Rev. Janice MacLean is host of the Prayer Bench, an online ministry offering resources to deepen spirituality. She actually has a wooden prayer bench she took home from Scotland in a backpack, which she’ll bring to show you. It’s a story of kindness. Over a life-time, Janice is grateful for many experiences that she carries in her heart. Janice lives in Cape Breton with her partner.
Who can attend? Anyone identifying as a woman who is interested in inviting kindness into their lives and their world.
What can you expect? A time of fellowship and exploration. Snacks and tea and coffee will be provided. There is no fee to attend this event. You can choose to wear a mask or not.
Please let us know if you plan to attend to help us plan; email sjuc@nb.aibn.com or call the church office 506-858-8289.
Caring Workshop
Caring for Me: Caring for You: Caring for the Church: Caring for the Wider Community. Sat. April 29. 10am to 3pm. Bridgewater United 87 Hillcrest St.
Register with Cindy Embree scembree@auracom.com 902-656-2793 or Marg Forbes raforbes@ns.sympatico.ca 902-543-2495. $15 covers lunch, drama, meditation and music.
Singing Gregorian Chant: An Introductory Workshop
Presented by the Holy Heart Schola Cantorum and hosted by the Atlantic School of Theology, this workshop will introduce participants to Gregorian chant and its nature, forms, and functions in the liturgy. Participants will leave equipped with ideas for introducing chant in a church setting. Following the workshop, they will have the opportunity to attend and participate in sung Evening Prayer which will include many of the chants learned during the workshop.
These sessions are geared towards anyone who wants to learn how to sing Gregorian Chant and introduce it to others.
About Holy Heart Schola Cantorum: The Holy Heart Schola Cantorum is Halifax’s only men’s choir specifically focused on singing Gregorian Chant, primarily in a liturgical context. They have been singing together regularly since 2007. The Schola has been chanting Evening Prayer every Sunday evening at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica since 2014.
Date: Saturday, April 29th from 2pm to 6pm
Location: In-Person at the Atlantic School of Theology Chapel
Registration Fee: $15.00 per adult (18 and over) plus Eventbrite fee
Learn More and Register Here.
Stilling and Stirring: A Spring In-Person Retreat
Contemplative Pathways is hosting a time of silent retreat and rest from May 3rd to 6th at the Tatamagouche Centre. We will be supported in our silence by gathered worship to begin and end our time together, optional morning and evening prayer, brief teaching times and the possibility of sharing experience in common for those who feel this would enhance their retreat.
Learn more and register here.
Genuine Online Relationships
In a post-lockdown church, online community has become a common reality. Most churches are offering ministry online, whether it be a weekly email, a Facebook group, online studies, or live-streaming worship. In this course, students will consider how to widen ministry beyond the church walls and into their online community. Readings will include case studies as well as work on building community, missional thinking, pastoral care, and online strategies. Students should come ready to investigate their current context and with a knowledge of the online platforms they currently use.
This event is sponsored by Pine Hill Divinity Hall.
About the Instructor: Dawn Leger is a pastor of Harbor Online Community, a virtual community of people following Jesus outside the lines of traditional church models. Dawn served in parish ministry for 15 years in urban and rural churches and is currently a PhD candidate at Martin Luther University College.
Dates: Thursdays in May from May 4th to May 25th from 1pm to 2.30pm AST
Location: Online
Registration Fee: $50.00 plus Eventbrite fee
Learn More and Register Here.
Rural Routes Through the Holy: 2023
Rural Routes Through the Holy: 2023 is happening June 15th at 10:00 through June 17th, 2:00 at Camp Abby, PEI. Started in 2019 from a small, rural United Church in New Brunswick, RRTH is now an annual event, a space of nurture for people in rural congregations of any denomination. It’s a gathering with time for both structured and informal conversations, worship, education, play, prayer, good food and stories, lots of stories. You can register and read about last year’s gathering and see a list of accommodations here. Just hover over the Rural Ministries tab to see all that’s there. You can also email ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com with questions.
This year Dr. Marvin Lee Anderson will again be our main presenter, but we’ll have lots of Tasters too, brief presentations from those who are doing things they love in the congregations they call home. We’ll hear about Community Gardens, Faithful Footprints, Pop Up Church and more. Registration is $50. Gather a group from your congregation, reach out to your neighbouring congregations, consider a carpool, and come. On your own or with friends, you’ll be warmly welcomed!
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.
