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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.
Condolences – Richard Noble
Condolences are extended to Rev. Joy Noble (FSLDW), and family, whose brother Richard Noble passed away on September 20, 2023. The obituary can be viewed here.
Covenanting Service
Lawrencetown-Lake Echo Pastoral Charge is so pleased to announce the Covenanting Service of Shane Doucette. This special service will take place at St. David’s United, on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 2:00pm. All are welcome to attend, so please come out and share in this momentous time with Shane. Fellowship to follow after in church hall.
St. David’s United Church
2723 Highway 7
Lake Echo, NS
Covenanting Service
All are warmly invited to a worship service celebrating the ministry between Rev. Dr. Kathleen Anderson and Hope United Church on Thursday, October 26th at 7 pm to be held at Hope United, 3055 Connaught Ave, Halifax. Hope United’s Minister Emeritus, Rev. Diane MacVicar, will offer the reflection. Light refreshments will follow the service.
Executive Minutes
The draft minutes from the October 5, 2023 Executive meeting are now available on the BNS website.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region Pastoral Relations News – October 2023
- Approved the Call of Elizabeth Hayward with Fort Massey United Church, full-time, beginning November 1, 2023. Anne Hoganson, Liaison.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Shaun Fryday with Woodlawn United Church, 20 hours/week, October 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Valerie Taylor with Kingston Pastoral Charge, 30 hours/week, September 1 to December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Brenda McKay with Newport Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, September 25, 2023 to March 25, 2024.
- Approved the Renewal of SME Appointment of Max Martin, Candidate, with St. Paul’s United Church, Spryfield, 30 hours/week, September 11, 2023 to September 11, 2024.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Carol Smith with Aylesford Pastoral Charge, 30 hours/week, October 1 to December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of John Tapscott with Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/ week, September 19 to December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Call of Ian Harrison with Kingston Pastoral Charge, full time, effective January 1, 2024. Anne Cameron, Liaison.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Robyn Brown-Hewitt with Bedford United Church, 20 hours/week, October 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Doug Pilsworth with Hopewell Eureka East River Pastoral Charge, 12 hours/week, August 1 to November 30, 2023.
- Approved the Appointment of Webster Vhembo with Aylesford Pastoral Charge, full time, January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026. Don Sellsted, Liaison.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Natalie Buchanan Rutherford with Northumberland Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, October 1 to December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Jim MacNaughton, Designated Lay Minister, with River and Lakeside Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations from Sharon Ballantyne of Fort Massey United Church, effective October 31, 2023.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations from Ian Harrison of St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge, effective December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations from Mary Jo Harrison of Baddeck Pastoral Charge and Middle River Pastoral Charge, effective December 31, 2023.
- Approved the Profile and position description for Trenton Pastoral Charge and authorize Search for full-time ministry personnel.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of retirement from David Hann of Windsor United Church, effective June 30, 2024.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of retirement from Rosemary Godin of Trenton Pastoral Charge, effective immediately.
- Next meeting: Friday, November 10, 2023
- Please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca with any questions.
A Pastoral Letter to our churches from the Justice, Mission and Outreach Just Peace Working Group
Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17 (NRSVUE)
Dear friends,
Many of us are confused, anxious and even afraid as we try to understand the situation in Palestine and Israel. Some of us have friends or families in the “Holy Land” and we are worried for them.
Members of our regions’ Just Peace Working Group (JPWG) is offering a Pastoral Letter to those of us who would like some background, insight, and ways to respond. Please click and read more HERE.
Advent Planning
Advent will be here sooner than you think! Are you leading worship during Advent? Are you ready? If you are still wondering what to do during this Advent season, the Bermuda/Nova Scotia Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee would like to offer you an opportunity to get together, to discuss ideas and to share resources. On Thursday October 19th you are invited to join a Zoom Advent Planning Drop-In session beginning at 10 am. For more information and Zoom information, please contact Rev. Sharon at revsharonbeacon@eastlink.ca.
Godly Play Core Training for Storytellers – Fall 2023 – in Sackville NB
Training is offered in modules over two weekends at the United Church Fundy St, Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Centre, 21 Wright St. Sackville NB
Fri, October 27 (4 pm – 9 pm) & Sat, October 28 (8:30 am – 5:30 pm)
Fri, Nov.17 (4 pm – 9 pm) & Sat, Nov. 18 (8:30 am – 5:30 pm)
Godly Play is best learned from the inside out.
Opportunity to learn about Godly Play and supporting children’s spirituality. You will experience a variety of Godly Play stories, tell a story by heart, and receive supportive feedback.
Godly Play is a creative approach to nurturing children’s faith. It values process, openness, discovery, community, and relationships. We will explore the principles and practices of Godly Play in the Environment, the Spirituality of the Child, and the Community of Children.
A parent’s writes about Godly Play: “The children know that to these leaders their faith, ideas, thoughts, and feelings are all valid and wonderful. They feel heard and important.”
Information and register at: https://godlyplaymaritimes.com/
We welcome participants who are new to Godly Play as well as
experienced Storytellers and Doorpersons who want to refresh their leadership skills. Maritime Godly Play Trainers: Shawn Redden, Cathy Laskey, Anne Pirie
Saint Andrew’s United Church is hosting Pride Place
St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax wants to be a place of pride!
We are embarking on a journey, with the support of The Living Spirit Fund at The United Church of Canada Foundation, to ensure that we are supporting and meeting the needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
We invite representatives from 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and community members from across the province to join us in a round table discussion, Tuesday, October 24, to share your thoughts and help us plan for our future as an allied organization.
We want to learn:
What is happening now in the community?
What do you see in the future?
How can we best support that future in a positive and productive way?
To register scan the QR code or click the registration link.
Mi’kma’ki Blanket Exercise October 28th 1:30 – 6:00pm at Sherbrooke Lake Camp
On October 28th, from 1:30pm – 6:00pm Sherbrooke Lake Camp and The Camping Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (CANSPEI) are hosting a Mi’kma’ki Blanket Exercise at Sherbrooke Lake Camp. Arrival between 1:30pm – 2:00pm with the session starting at 2:00pm with Sunshine. Developed by our host, the Blanket Exercise is an interactive and experiential teaching tool that explores the history and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now know as Canada.
During this 2-3 hours workshop, participants step on blankets representing the land and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The narrative shared by the host covers pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, resistance and much more. The exercise is concluded with debriefing through talking circles and folks with Mental Health First Aid and mental health training will be available to participants to support them as needed. Sunshine Paul-Martin, from Eskasoni First Nation, is a L’nu’k Language and Cultural Specialist in Millbrook First Nation who has been offering the Blanket Exercise with Kairos and independently for years. She will be hosting the Mi’kma’ki Blanket Exercise and sharing smudge and prayer with us on October 28th.
As both Sherbrooke Lake Camp, a United Church Camp of Canada, and The Camping Association of Nova Scotia & PEI (CANSPEI) strive to improve their Peace and Friendship with Indigenous communities, this workshop offers the opportunity for all in our faith and non-faith-based camping communities to reflect on the foundation of history to date in Mi’kma’ki.
This exercise invites youth and adults to join in learning together. If you’re interested in participating in this event, please Register Here to join us. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us. There is no cost associated with this for registrants as it is made possible through the Justice and Reconciliation Fund at The United Church of Canada.
Affirm Webinar save the date
FSLDW’s Affirm Committee will be sharing a webinar on Nov 15th at 2:00 with Rev Bea Gale as our guest. Bea is currently a Military Chaplain, and has been in pastoral ministry in both our Regions.
Save the date and watch for more details and registration.
Free Book Study!
Janet Gear has written “Undivided Love” which explores multiple expressions of spirituality within Christianity, and more explicitly The United Church of Canada. It helps in understanding the varied and sometimes conflicting perspectives that challenge us as we work together in groups! The United Church Foundation is hosting a book study with Janet in October.
Click here for more information and a discount code for the book.
Solidarity Circles: A peer network of clergy, faith leaders and organizers interested in the solidarity economy.
Are you passionate about building a more equitable and sustainable future?
Please click here to read about this program. If after reading about it, you still have questions, please be in touch with Andrew Richardson (Vocation Minister Atlantic Regions) if you have any questions: ARichardson@united-church.ca.
Music Director Opportunity
St George & St Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal, NS, is seeking a part-time Music Director/Organist/Choir Director. Duties include playing at regular Sunday services, for special services as required, and conducting a weekly rehearsal of forthcoming choral anthems and other music.
We have a two-manual baroque-style (with Swell) tracker-action instrument by Orgues Létourneau (Opus 28, 1991) and a Yamaha digital grand piano (CLP-695GP). The church boasts a strong music programme, with choral anthems as a regular part of every service, and many other musical events take place in our sanctuary due to its excellent acoustics.
For further information and details please email: andrea.boulding@gmail.com.
Under November Skies – a song/video of Remembrance
Hi, there. It’s John Lindsay-Botten, writing on behalf of Joanna Butler, the chief creator of “Under November Skies” (I arranged the selection). A full letter of support is included here, intended for Church Ministers and Music Ministers/Directors, as well.
A showing of the bilingual YouTube video of the song on social media platforms and in worship contexts is free to use. To purchase copies of the song in various solo/choral options, please head to https://HeroesNeverDie.ca/ (where you can preview the video, as well).
In Love, Peace and Gratitude, John (and Joanna)
Healing and Hope
Healing and Hope is a retreat by women in ministry, for women in ministry, to be held at Five Oaks Centre, 1 Bethel Road, Paris, Ontario. The dates are Monday October 30 at 3 pm to Thursday November 2 at noon, concluding with lunch.
Speakers will be: Rev. Tina Conlon, Davenport-Perth Community Ministry and President of Shining Waters Regional Council; Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator, The United Church of Canada.
We are able to sponsor four students/interns for this event.
Costs will be:$405 for shared room, $475 for single room, though there are not a lot of singles. Meals are included in this price.
Please contact: sistersandministers@gmail.com for information on registration
Advent Retreat
The Association of United Church Clergy are having an Advent Retreat
November 16th, 2023
From 10am – 3pm
St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury
To register please call the church office at 902-625-2229 and leave a message or email the church at stmarksuc@gmail.com
Come and join us as we explore the theme,
“How Does a Weary World Rejoice?”
drawing from resources from “A Sanctified Art”.
as we approach the season of Advent and move into hope born at Christmas
This will be a time of discussion, reflection, and engagement.
Lunch will be provided. (please indicate at time of registration if there are any dietary concerns) There is a devotional booklet that you can purchase for $5 but please respect that this booklet is for personal use only. (please indicate when registering if you would like a booklet as these will be preprinted) You can purchase the entire advent program for use in your church through the website: sanctifiedart.org.
