NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
Emergency Response Memos for Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW)
It’s Your Call – Podcast
Spark 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.
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW) Committee Interest form.
Condolences – Evelyn Jean Udall
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Evelyn Jean Udall who passed away on March 28, 2023. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences – Rev. Ralph Johnston
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Ralph Johnston who passed away on April 16, 2023. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences – Margaret Ann Plant
Our condolences are extended to the family of Margaret (Maggie) Plant who passed away on April 18, 2023. An obituary will be posted once it is available.
Annual Meeting Draft Agenda
The Annual Meeting full draft agenda is now available online, view using this link.
Don’t forget to check the Annual Meeting page regularly as information is updated often.
Committee Meetings Adjacent to the Regional Council Meeting – Deadline
The deadline to submit your request for Committee Meetings Adjacent to the Regional Council Meeting is April 28, 2023. Please click here to submit your request.
Display Space Request Deadline
The deadline to submit your request for Display Space is April 28, 2023. Please click here to submit your request.
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.
Introduction to Community of Faith Profile Process
The Regional Pastoral Relations Committee is offering an introduction to the Community of Faith Profile Process on April 15 & 22 beginning at 9:30 am and ending at 11:00 am.
This process is proving valuable not only in times of pastoral transition but also in:
* visioning for ministry direction
* assessing our financial viability
* assessing priorities
* gaining a deeper understanding of who we are as a community of faith
* matching our strengths and passions to needs & opportunities
* better understanding who our neighbours really are
We will explore the sections of the profile and how best to use questions and small group discussion to ascertain the most useful and instructive data. We will look at the role of a profile committee and liaison. (when one is assigned) We will introduce you to workshop tools and outlines. We will talk about the 20% challenge and how you and the other leaders in your community might realize a 20% swing in your budget.
We are asking all ministry personnel to make an effort to be at one of these offerings. This introduction training is also open to all lay leaders in communities of faith who may have interest in inviting this type of discussion in your own community or as part of the Regional Pastoral Relations Process.
To register, please click here.
Covenanting Service
A Covenanting Service for the Rev. David Cleveland and the Dalhousie-New Mills Pastoral Charge will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday April 23, 2023 at Bethel United Church, 23249 Route 134, Nash Creek N.B.
May God bless this ministry between Rev. Cleveland and this community of faith.
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
Notes from the Pastoral Relations Committee April 2023
- Approved the call of the Rev. Richard Bowley to the Nashwaaksis Pastoral Charge, Fredericton North, effective August 1, 2023.
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.
April UNJPPI news (United Network for Justice and Peace for Palestine and Israel)
In UNJPPI’s April Network News:
– Kairos Palestine’s Easter Alert
– April 27 event “New Developments in Israel-Palestine and the Role of the Churches” that takes place in Ottawa and online
– CPT’s Prayers for Peacemakers
– Video recording of Rabbi Rous’ sermon “Tears of Zion”
– “The Trip that Changed My Life” video series by Palestinian film maker on his experiences of travelling to South Africa
Plus resources, relevant articles, campaigns and more, here.
For more information about the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine Israel or to subscribe to our newsletters visit: http://www.unjppi.org/.
Berwick Camp Promotion Video
Berwick Camp is a 10-day camp for all generations located in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. The Berwick Camp Communications Team has prepared a promotional video to be shown in churches for Camping Sunday or some other Sunday at a congregation’s discretion. The link can also be forwarded to members of your congregation.
For more information, visit the Berwick Camp website.
Vital Church Maritimes 2023 – Registration info
We are ‘Setting Sail!’ for a new voyage in missional ministry. Join in three days of encouragement, leading-edge learning and sharing ideas at Vital Church Maritimes 2023 conference.
Taking place April 27 – April 29 in Truro, NS, and on Zoom, this year’s keynote speaker is the Rev’d. Dr. Dawn Davis, professor at Huron University College, London, ON. She teaches Contextual Theology and is Director of Leadership for Ministry Programs. Dawn also hails from St. Luke’s, Dartmouth.
VCM 2023 conference emphasizes spiritual formation and discipleship, as well as opportunity consider present realities and future trends. Let’s explore where God’s Spirit is leading us in missional ministry! Keynote talks titles are:
• Leaving Port
• Sitting in the Fog
• Leaning into the Wind
• Set Sail!
An additional speaker is Registered Psychotherapist, Stephen Doucet Campbell, of Shad Bay, NS. He offers a talk on leadership mental health and resilience. He has a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Providence Theological Seminary and works from the models of Attachment, Narrative, and Dialectical Behaviour therapies. Stephen has worked with adults, youth, and families in out-patient mental health and addiction clinics, clergy and congregational care programs, schools, health centres, and with the justice system.
On Friday there’s a festive fun night, Sea Shanty Kitchen Party. Be sure to bring your musical instruments and wear your finest Sou’wester!
VCM 2023 is open to anyone – laity or clergy. (Invite your friends from other local churches too!)
Conference registration includes engaging presentations, plenty of group discussion, creative worship, materials and most meals. Hotel guest room costs are separate.
MORE DETAILS (including schedule) HERE.
REGISTER HERE.
Inn on Prince Hotel is the conference location. For guest room reservations, ask for our SPECIAL DISCOUNTED Anglican Diocesan rate of $121/night (includes a free hot breakfast).
GOT QUESTIONS? E-mail lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca or call 902-789-4840.
Special Service of Commemoration
Coming up May 2: a special service of commemoration for all the mission co-workers from The United Church of Canada who have served in Korea over the years. United Church mission co-worker John Egger, who has served in Korea since 2018, is now in Canada on his final home assignment. John’s return to Canada marks a significant ending for the United Church, as he stands at the end of a long line of mission co-workers who have served in Korea since 1898, when the first mission co-workers from the Presbyterian Church in Canada arrived in Korea.
Join us on May 2 at First United Church in Truro as we celebrate the ongoing partnership in mission between Canada and Korea and commemorate the contributions of the many mission co-workers who have served in Korea over the past 125 years.
May 2, 2023
7 pm (Atlantic time)
First United Church, Truro
711 Prince Street, Truro, Nova Scotia
live-streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@firstunitedtrurons
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
Upcoming Events – Centre for Religion and Its Contexts
The Centre for Religion and Its Contexts has upcoming events for the spring and summer and have asked that the details be shared widely with your congregations, communities, friends and colleagues. Details can be found here. The next event is Thursday, April 20th and it is an online book launch of Practical Theology Amid Environmental Crises; the link for registration can be found here.
