NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Committee Volunteer form.
Annual Meeting Evaluation Form
We would ask everyone who attended the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council annual meeting to take a few minutes to fill out the online evaluation form by June 23.
Hope & Unity Leaders Luncheon
Pastors and Leaders are invited to gather together on June 27th for a time of Hope & Unity filled connection, fellowship, and motivation.
Difficult times breed community strength. The Canadian Bible Society invites Pastors and Ministry/Agency Leaders to gather together for a HOPE & UNITY luncheon event. Our goal is not to take from you, but lift you up, encourage you, and provide a safe space to connect, fellowship, and dine together, while being motivated and encouraged in your faith. Allow us to serve you.
In good faith,
The Canadian Bible Society
–> FREE ADMISSION
–> Lunch & refreshments to be provided
–> Please register here to allow us to better prepare for your arrival
United Church of Canada reviews and updates Cost of Living (COL) groups in Salary Schedule
- The current “comprehensive” model for ministry remuneration has been in effect since 2015. There is one salary schedule for circumstances where a manse is provided, and another salary schedule where a manse is not provided.
- Where a manse is not provided, there are 6 Cost of Living (COL) categories that will vary salaries by cost of living factors across geographic zones. Beginning in 2015, the COL groups were determined on real estate sales data. COL groups are to be reviewed every 3 years.
- The COL zones were reviewed and revised in 2019, using the same data set. The 2021 COL review was postponed due to volatility in the housing market.
- In 2023, the Mercer group provided guidance for COL groups to be determined on a more diverse set of data that included housing costs, utilities costs, variations in taxation, and costs of goods and services.
- Every Community of Faith in the United Church was reviewed as to their COL group assignment. 45% did not change. 39% increased one level. 16% decreased one level.
- In Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council there are 137 pastoral charges. All but 2 Communities of Faith increased one level. 2 Communities of Faith remained at their current level.
- In Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters there are 111 pastoral charges. 76 remain unchanged, 32 decreased one level and 3 increased one level.
- In First Dawn Eastern Edge there are 88 pastoral charges. 45 increased one level and 43 remained the same.
- Any Community of Faith that has experienced a reduction in COL group may NOT decrease their minister’s salary. The salary level that was agreed-to at the time of Call or Appointment will continue, including Appointment renewals. The effect of a lowered COL group may only be applied in the case of a new pastoral relationship with new ministry personnel.
- The change in COL group will take effect on July 1, 2023. In any situation where the COL level has gone up, the new increased salary will take effect on the first pay in July.
- For more details on the COL review, please go here: https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2022-12/ucc-col-measure-revisions_2022.pdf.
- To check on your COL group, effective July 1, 2023, please go here: https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2022-12/revised-col-group-assignments_2022.pdf.
- For the 2023 Salary Schedule, please go here: https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2022-12/salary-schedule-ministry_2023rev2.pdf.
- Remember, in addition to the every-three-year review of COL groups, the United Church also provides an annual cost of living adjustment to salary amounts, based on the Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index – Common. These annual changes are in effect as of January 1 every year.
- General Council communicated these changes to Pastoral Charge Treasurers and Administrators by direct email in December 2022. This letter is available here: https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2022-12/col-2023-changes-letter-treasurers-administrators.pdf.
- For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca.
2023 Self-Assessment Form Now Available
Greetings from your Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Living Faith Stories and Community Covenant Committee!
We are happy to announce that the 2023 Self-Assessment Questionnaire is now available and ready for communities of faith to complete.
The Self-Assessment process is an opportunity for every community of faith within the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council to review together the ways in which they have been living out their mission and ministry on a regular basis. It also provides an opportunity for the Region to evaluate the ways in which it might strengthen connections between communities living through similar circumstances and best use its resources for the building up of the church in Nova Scotia and Bermuda. Please take the time to complete this assessment together with your governing body and/or congregation.
The form can be found here.
Deadline for completion is June 30th, 2023.
Thank you and blessings on your continued ministry!
Advocacy Works!
This past week, the Atlantic Mayors passed this resolution 26 to 4. Thanks for your advocacy for Guaranteed Liveable Income in Canada. Each step matters.
More Good News re GLI
On June 7 Hamilton city council passed a resolution asking the provincial and federal governments to get going with basic income. The vote was unanimous: 16-0.
Please click here to read more about this vote and why it is important.
Bookstore Pre-order
Prepare! 2023-2024 NRSV ue Edition – An Ecumenical Music & Worship Planner
The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2024 – The local pastor’s go-to resource for weekly sermon planning.
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2024 – The go-to worship planning resource for all who plan weekly worship.
Please click here for complete descriptions and pricing on the above books.
Leona Laundry
United Church Bookstore & Gifts
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council
The United Church of Canada
320 Elizabeth Avenue
St. John’s, NL, A1B 1T9
1-800-268-3781 ext. 6141
llaundry@united-church.ca
Unique Ministry Opportunity
Gibson Memorial and Forest Hill United Churches in Fredericton New Brunswick are separate congregations exploring a unique joint ministry. We are seeking a full-time minister with new ideas and energies who is interested in exploring these possibilities with us. Are you the right person to lead us with this pilot project in Cooperative Ministry?
If you think you have what it takes or have any questions, contact us at foresthillgibson@nb.aibn.com
Help us build our spirit of cooperation.
Save the Dates: October 30-November 2. ‘Healing and Hope’ Retreat for Clergy Women
This retreat will be held at Five Oaks Centre, 1 Bethel Road in Paris, On. Rev. Tina Conlon of Davenport-Perth Community Ministry and President of Shining Waters Regional Council will be a keynote speaker, as well as Moderator Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Landsdowne who will join by Zoom on November 1. We plan to ensure lots of time for small groups, and relaxation in the beautiful fall landscape of Five Oaks.
There are a few single rooms, $475 including meals. Double rooms are $405 including meals. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis to a maximum of 50 persons. We will keep a waiting list as well. Please contact us at sistersandministers@gmail.com.
Continuing Education Opportunity
Rev. Oliver Dingwell (Cowan Heights United Church, St. John’s, NL) will be teaching a course entitled Liturgy, Sacraments, and Radical Hospitality at Queen’s College (Memorial University of Newfoundland) during the Fall 2023 semester on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. NL time (5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Atlantic time) beginning Monday, September 11. The course will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. It is possible to register for this course as a continuing education opportunity. The cost is $350 for the full course, or $175 to join as a course auditor.
The course will explore the concept of ‘welcome’ and ‘inclusion’ in the Canadian church context through a liturgical and sacramental lens. Together we will explore issues of race, gender, orientation, and identity in contemporary Canadian society, and how the worship and sacramental life of churches might be called to respond.
Oliver is the Minister at Cowan Heights United Church in St. John’s, NL. He is currently a doctoral student at Emmanuel College. His academic work is in liturgical and eucharistic theology, studying the value of frequent eucharistic celebration within mainline Protestantism.
For more information, please contact Oliver at odingwell@cowanheightsunited.ca. To register for the course or to get more information about Queen’s College, you can email queens@mun.ca or call (709) 753-0116.
