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.
Celebration of Life – Rev. Jim Forbes
There will be a Celebration of Life service in honour of Rev. James Walter Forbes (September 7, 1934-January 7, 2021). All are invited to join Jim’s family and friends as they celebrate his life, Saturday May 27, 2023, 2pm, R.H.Porters Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave. New Glasgow N.S.
The service will be live streamed through www.rhporter.ca. Reception to follow.
Annual Meeting Meals and Accommodations Registration Deadline
The deadline to book and pay for your annual meeting Meals and Accommodations with Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is May 19. If you are interested in attending the Retirees and Jubilarians dinner being held on June 10 fill-out the Meals and Accommodations form choosing option “Selecting Meals Individually”, then select “Dinner June 10”. If you have any questions please contact MSVU directly, their contact information can be found on the link above.
Annual Meeting – Webinars, Proposals and Remit
Dear Regional Council Members,
As the meeting dates approach, your staff, Division and Committee members have been busy with making sure you have what we need to have a productive and spirit filled meeting. As part of our preparation we remind you to visit the Annual Meeting link on our website to read the reports and information provided.
As a reminder our listen, learn and discuss webinars are coming up. We see this as an extension of our meeting as a way to help us to have some informal time together, to hear about what is coming forward, learning about what it means and to have discussions to help us further discern. The webinars can be found on the Annual Meeting web page under Information Webinars (Pre Annual Meeting).
The Regional Council will be dealing with six proposals and a remit at our June 9-11 meeting. Please see the links below to assist in your preparation.
On behalf of Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister
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. Note – that the registration cost has changed to $100 per youth! Have questions? Email Catherine Stuart, Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults, cstuart@united-church.ca.
First Aid Volunteers – Annual Meeting
We are looking for people that are certified in First Aid and CPR who would be willing to volunteer to be the first aid contacts in the event of any issues during the Annual Meeting. If you are interested, please send your name to Shari Kaster.
Region 15 Pastoral Relations News – May 2023
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Cathie Crooks with First United Church, Truro, full time, July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
- Approved the Provisional Call of Linton Worrell with Tatamagouche Pastoral Charge, effective July 1, 2023.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Judith Perry, retired, with Knox United Church, Lower Sackville, 15 hours/week, April 2 to June 25, 2023.
- Approved the Appointment of Sandra Cox, retired, with William Black Memorial United Church, 13 hours/week, June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. Betsy Hogan, Liaison.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Meredith Fraser, retired, with Trinity United Church, New Glasgow, 20 hours/week, September 1 to November 24, 2023, during the sabbatical leave of Donna Tourneur.
- Approved the position description for short-term, half-time Supply at Hope United Church and authorized Search.
- Approved the revised position description for the one-year, half-time Supply second ministry position for Orchard Valley Pastoral Charge and authorized Search to continue.
- Approved, pending approval from the pastoral charge, the Profile and position description for Northumberland Pastoral Charge and authorized Search for half-time ministry personnel. Connie McNamara, Liaison.
- Approved the position description for short-term, 24 hours/week Supply at Berwick Trinity Pastoral Charge, and authorized Search.
- Approved the position description for short-term Supply ministry at St. John’s United Church, Halifax, covering the sabbatical leave of Hubert den Draak.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations from Kevin Cox of Newport Pastoral Charge, effective August 6, 2023.
- Approved the Profile and position description from Fort Massey United Church, and authorized Search for full time ministry personnel.
- Next meeting: Friday, June 23, 9:00 a.m.
- For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt at dhewitt@united-church.ca
Discussion Opportunity – Health, Joy and Excellence Summary Report
Our three Eastern Regions have been working in consultation to create an institute of learning and support for leaders.
A summary document has been prepared and we want to invite ministry personnel to assist us with the next steps as we continue to hone our focus and discover together opportunities for mutual learning and support.
To this end we will be hosting the final of three opportunities, via Zoom, for discussion and reflection on Saturday, May 27 at 10:30 (Newfoundland time)
Please register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Living Faith Story Workshop
What is a Living Faith Story?
Why does our church need one?
How can it do everything from define and enliven our mission
to help us find a new minister?
How can we make one that’s uniquely our own?
Come and see.
Region 15 is hosting another Living Faith Story workshop on Saturday, May 27th from 10am – 3pm at Central United Church, 283 Lincoln St., Lunenburg. This workshop is open to all communities of faith, with a particular invitation to all churches along the South Shore.
Lunch will be provided.
If you’ve ever had questions about the living faith story and how it can help enhance and support your ministry, this is your opportunity to learn more! Please register for the lunch by emailing centralminister@bellaliant.com by or before Monday, May 22nd.
Please share this poster with your congregations.
Decommissioning Service for Tenecape United Church
The Decommissioning Service for the Tenecape United Church, 1793 GlooscapTrail ,Hwy 215, Tenecape, NS, will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 2:00pm. The service will be held at the Tenecape Community Hall, followed by a reception.
All are welcome to come and share in this time of remembrance and celebration of the ministry of this congregation.
Rural Routes Through the Holy 2023
The schedule is now posted for this years gathering from June 15th – 17th at Camp Abby, PEI. Dr. Marvin Lee Anderson will offer the main presentation, Restoring and Re-storying Community.
There’ll also be Tasters, brief presentations, on Faithful Footprints, Pop-Up Church and more. During free time you can choose to experience Healing Pathway ministry, participate in a prayer-writing workshop, sample a variety of prayer practices, or try out a new resource for congregational or individual discernment. There’ll be music and worship and good food. You can view the complete schedule here and register here.
For questions email ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com.
Future Directions would like to remind folks of the Ministry Personnel/Lay Continuing Education Fund, the application can be found here. This fund is available to both lay and clergy, and should be able to support those attending this event.
Visiting Scholar vacancy at AST
Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax is seeking to appoint a Visiting Scholar in Theology in 2024. Application deadline: May 18th. Complete details may be found at this link.
We’re hiring Summer Students at BUC!
Hi Region 15! Here at Bedford United Church we are hiring youth and young adults for summer employment, and we would love to have you join our team!!
To learn more about this work please check out the full job descriptions here.
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 19th! If you or someone in your family is looking for a life-giving and rewarding summer job, we would love for them to consider applying. We know there are so many amazing gifts and talents to be shared with our community!
L.I.F.E Workers: BUC is hiring two youth (aged 15-18 when hired) to work as L.I.F.E Workers, L.I.F.E stands for ‘Living In Faith Everywhere.’ These positions will offer work and life experience for youth and an opportunity to participate in the life and work of Bedford United Church with a focus on children, youth, and family ministry. Throughout the summer L.I.F.E Workers will help with Sunday School, Children’s Camps, Outreach projects, Youth programs and more! They will also gain valuable leadership training and experience.
To learn more about this work please check out the full job descriptions here.
We are also hiring one L.I.F.E Worker Supervisor (aged 18-30) to support and supervise the L.I.F.E Workers throughout the summer. This role would also be involved in offering leadership for children, youth, outreach, and family programs throughout the summer.
The full job description can be found here.
Please feel free to share these roles with youth and young adults in your life looking for summer employment, All Are Welcome!
