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 – Claudia Dawn Kitson
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Claudia Dawn Kitson who passed away on April 20, 2023. The obituary can be viewed here.
Discussion Opportunity
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 a first of three opportunities for discussion and reflection on May 2nd at 10:00 am.
Please register here to confirm your attendance and the Zoom link will be sent to you.
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 – this Friday
The deadline to submit your request for Display Space is April 28, 2023. Please click here to submit your request.
Annual Meeting Registration Deadline Saturday, May 6
Annual Meeting registration deadline is Saturday, May 6. Thank you to those who have already registered for the upcoming FSLDW annual meeting taking place May 26-28, 2023 at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). For those who have not yet registered for the Annual Meeting, please do so before the deadline. Note that when your registration has successfully gone through you will receive a confirmation email, if you have not received a confirmation email then your registration was not successfully completed. You have to register yourself individually, the annual meeting registration is separate to the Official Members to Regional Council form.
If you are unable to attend the meeting please fill out the regrets form.
All material for the meeting, including the information for the webinars is available on the Regional Council Annual Meeting webpage. It is highly recommended that members of the Region attend the preparatory webinars, these webinars will allow time for questions for clarification and help us to be prepared for the AGM. If you are unable to make the webinar on the allotted day, they will be recorded and posted on the annual meeting website page the following day for viewing. If you have questions after viewing you may direct them to the presenters.
If for any reason you are unable to attend the meeting following your registration please ensure to contact Jenn Whittemore (jwhittemore@united-church.ca) to cancel your accommodations and meals no later than May 22, 2023 or you will be billed by the Regional Office for those expenses.
Regional President-Elect Nominations (Deadline May 5)
It’s Eastertide and a time of new opportunity and rising energy. It’s a time for us to consider what new thing God is calling us to now, today. We are looking forward to our election process in this Region as part of our Annual General Meeting in Charlottetown this May.
In particular, I am writing to ask you to consider offering yourself to serve the Region as our President-Elect. Those who have previously served as a President of Conference are eligible to be nominated as President of the Region. This is a key position and one that offers a wealth of learning and new connections (read the Roles and Duties here). I am also asking that you think of others in the Region who you know and think might be a good fit for a leader at this time in the Church’s life. More than that, I am asking you to speak to that person, and share your thinking about their gifts and potential to lead us forward. You might be surprised to know that often, this sort of conversation offers a new and exciting possibility to that potential candidate. They may never have thought of themselves as a potential leader, for these times. It’s all about our collective action in discerning as a Church. We are privileged to be able to participate in our governance and choose our leaders. This gives us the responsibility to engage and get involved in the process. I look forward to hearing from you. The nominations form can be found here.
Rose-Hannah Gaskin, Chair, Nominations Committee
Interested in Attending the Retirees and Jubilarians Dinner?
If you are interested in attending the Retirees and Jubilarians dinner being held at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) on May 27, you will be able to do so through your registration to Annual Meeting. You will note that the meals and accommodations information is at the bottom of the registration form this year.
Annual Meeting – Thursday Accommodations and Meals Friday
If you require accommodations on Thursday, May 25, or breakfast and/or lunch on Friday, May 26 we would ask that you fill out the form to let us know by May 6.
If for any reason you are unable to attend the meeting please ensure to contact Jenn Whittemore to cancel your accommodations and meals no later than May 22, 2023 or you will be billed by the Regional Office for those expenses.
Elected Members Forms Needed
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, it is necessary that you submit this form as soon as possible – to-date, we have only received forms from approximately half of the pastoral charges.
No elected member willing to stand? Complete the form and indicate VACANT in the member name box.
Executive Minutes
The draft minutes of the March 30, 2023 meeting of the Executive are now available on the website.
New FSLDW Covenanting Policy
The FSLDW Pastoral Relations Committee wishes to make you aware of the recently approved FSLDW Covenanting Policy. The policy can be found on the website under the Pastoral Relations Resources tab of the Pastoral Relation Committee link.
In addition to the policy you will also find links to two templates which provide Pastoral Relations Liaisons, Communities of Faith and Ministry Personnel with suggested liturgies for the Covenanting Service.
We encourage you to make yourselves aware of the policy and templates.
New Developments in Israel-Palestine and the Role of the Churches
Presented by Anglican Studies, the Faculty of Theology and the School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality
What is the role of Canadian churches in advocacy regarding Palestine? Join national leaders for a conversation about how churches in Canada are involved in advocating for and with partners in Palestine, and what next steps may be needed in the context of new developments in a deteriorating situation.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
7:00-9:00 pm (ET)
Amphitheatre at Saint Paul University and Livestream – Attend online or in person, click here to register
Click here for more information
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.
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. She has become a well-regarded coach and advisor for churches creating an accessible, inclusive, and supportive online community. 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
REGISTER NOW – registration closes April 27th at 5pm
Learn More and Register Here
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
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.
United Church of Canada – Job and Volunteer Opportunities
Click here to see the latest job and volunteer opportunities at the United Church.
Zoom Meeting: Maritime Circle for Progressive Christianity
The Maritime Circle for Progressive Christianity will meet via Zoom link on May 12th at 10:30 a.m. We will discuss plans for a summertime in-person gathering, with guest, Nancy Steeves, as well as other topics you’d like to bring to the group. All are welcome! Contact pixonsand@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Spring Resources & Programs
WORSHIP SHEETS
If you are an occasional worship leader, looking for inspiration, or want reflections for personal reading, check out Worship Sheets here. in the description there, is a sample you can read and use.
STROLL FOR YOUR SOUL
This popular email program begins May 12. You receive a brief email each day for 21 days inviting you to use one of your seven senses to mindfully explore our green and growing world. Sign up for an INDIVIDUAL subscription or stroll with a GROUP (Unlimited numbers) at the Prayer Bench.
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.
ASTE 2023 COMING SOON
The 54th annual Atlantic Seminar in Theological Education will be happening at the Tatamagouche Centre June 11th to June 16th, 2023.
We will continue the theme “Building Respectful Relations” centering this year on experiences of Black Persons within Canadian Society.
We hope you will join us as we spend 5 days exploring the history, culture and impact of the Black Community in the Atlantic Provinces and how Individuals and Communities of Faith can work as true allies.
This is an opportunity to explore this topic in depth in a safe and supportive environment under the guidance of Dr. Harvey Amani Whitfield, The Rev. Brigid Maya Douglas and the ASTE 2023 community.
More information can be found on our webpage ASTES2023.
Camp Wegesegum – Celebrating 100 Years!
Camp Wegesegum – 100th Anniversary Party July 15, 2023
We are so excited to finally announce the schedule of events for our 100th anniversary party! Mark your calendars! Come celebrate with us !!
