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.
Condolences: Rev. Val (Vlasta) Chongva
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Val Chongva who passed away on May 22, 2023. The obituary can be viewed here. There will be a Celebration of Life service Thursday, June 1 at 2:00pm at Central United Church, 150 Queen Street, Moncton. The service will be livestreamed on Zoom; please click here for the required Zoom information.
Congregational Service for June 11, 2023
The Annual Meeting Planning Committee is working on putting together a service that congregations can use for Sunday June 11th during the Annual Meeting of Region 15. This service will be available next week.
United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI) May news
In this special issue of UNJPPI Network News, we reflect on the Nakba and the effect that seventy-five years of genocide has had on a land and a people.
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.
Discussion Opportunity – Health Joy and Excellence Summary Report
The three Eastern Regions have been working in consultation to create an institute of learning and support for leaders.
A Summary of Focus and Executive Summary have been prepared and we want to invite our lay members of the Regions, governing body members and members of the congregations along with 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: Health Joy & Excellence Summary of Focus and Executive Summary
To this end, we will be hosting the 4th and 5th of five opportunities for discussion and reflection.
Register in advance for this Health, Joy & Excellence Summary Report Discussions to confirm your attendance:
- #4 Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 12:30 pm (NDT) and 12:00 noon (ADT): https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvf–grj0qHtK_xMDOUGmHIs0_9S9MO2GK
- #5 Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7:00 pm (NDT) and 6:30 pm (ADT): https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvcO2gqjIsHNS0clpmxHPSHxEbuG-0NuWf
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Order by June 1st for Guatemalan stoles, Breaking the Silence coffee to pick up at Region 15 Annual Meeting
The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network is pleased to once again offer Guatemalan stoles, often purchased as ordination gifts or gifts for ministers. Breaking the Silence is a human rights solidarity network and a partner of the Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee. These beautifully woven stoles by the Mayan women of Santiago Atitlan combine Christian and Mayan symbols such as corn. At this time, I only have: two red stoles and three rainbow stoles, so you may wish to reserve the stole purchase in advance.
We will also be selling gorgeous crafts from a Guatemalan women’s cooperative and Breaking the Silence fair trade coffee, which supports a courageous indigenous land rights organization and coffee farmers. I will order boxes of six bags of ground Breaking the Silence coffee for purchase at the wholesale price for churches. $60 per box. Orders for boxes of six bags must be sent no later than June 1st., with payment at the Regional Meeting or by E-transfer. To order stoles and coffee, contact: Kathryn Anderson, kathrynande @gmail.com And please stop by the Breaking the Silence table.
Talking Circle
To all members of the United Church, clergy and lay, in Nova Scotia who identify as Indigenous
Murray Pruden, Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries and Justice, along with a small working group from Nova Scotia, invite you to join us for a talking circle on Thursday, June, 8th from 7-8:30 at Stairs Memorial United in Dartmouth (44 Hester Street). This will be an opportunity to connect, share our stories and begin building relationships. Please see flyer for more details.
Christian Education Event
“We will be hosting a gathering with the Rev. Catherine Stuart (Regional Minister for Children, Youth, and Young Adults) on June 17 from 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon at Port Wallis United Church, 263 Waverley Road, Dartmouth
to discuss ideas for Christian Education Programs for Children.”
How do we re-animate Christian Education Programmes in our Churches?
Innovative ideas? Resources? Collaborative approaches?
Educating our educators and assisting our families in their knowledge.
How do we tell our children about Jesus?
We especially welcome Sunday School Teachers, Youth Leaders – all who want to tell the story to children, youth, and young adults.
Please RSVP by emailing the church – port.wallis.uc@ns.sympatico.ca or calling 902-435-3644.
New Staff Position Available – Growth Animator – Atlantic Canada
Dear Members of Regional Council. As part of the General Council strategic plan towards Renewal, Invitation and Growth, Regions East will have a new General Council staff person deployed in our Regions. The position is posted and we encourage you to visit the link to discern if you are feeling a call to this work.
The United Church of Canada is seeking an individual to fill the role of Growth Animator for First Dawn Eastern Edge, Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters and Region 15 Regional Councils in the Organizational Development and Strategy Unit (ODS).
Are you feeling called to work with the members in the three Eastern Regions? Maybe you know of someone who might need a little nudge? This is a permanent full-time position (35 hours/week) shared equally among the three regions. The individual will be required to live in one of the Atlantic provinces.
Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume to careers@united-church.ca quoting the job number 23-30. Closing date is June 9, 2023.
For full position description, qualifications and other details, please go to the General Council link: https://united-church.ca/opportunities/growth-animator-atlantic-canada.
Test drive an electric vehicle!
“Next Ride is the provincial electric vehicle education and engagement program for Nova Scotia. They are offering free test drives (30 minutes) where you can experience the thrill of driving electric and get answers to all of your questions about making the switch to an EV.”
Date: Friday June 9th
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Mount Saint Vincent University. Parking lot outside the Rosaria Student Centre
The United Church of Canada Region 15 is meeting at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Come early or just come to test drive and learn more about electric cars!
Spots are limited so register here.
