NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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www.ucceast.ca
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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.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Region Liaison Training
The work of Pastoral Relations requires representation and support from the Region through the appointment of a Liaison. The Liaison provides training and guidance for Profile development work and for Search teams. A training session for those interested in serving as Liaisons will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury. There is no cost for this event, and lunch is provided (donations welcome!). Please register for this event by October 10, in order to assist with meal planning, using this link.
Training for Liaisons is a routine and periodic responsibility for the Region. If you are interested in becoming a Liaison but are unavailable for October 13, please contact David Hewitt. For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Sunday Supply Policy webinar
The Bermuda Nova Scotia Region Sunday Supply Policy took effect on July 1, 2023. The policy and background material are available here.
An information webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To register for the event and to receive the Zoom link information, please use this link.
For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca.
Reduced Price for LLWL Gathering
Additional funds have been received for the Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Gathering taking place at the Tatamagouche Centre October 19-21, greatly reducing the price. If the cost of registration was a barrier for you, give it another look! And don’t forget about Bermuda-Nova Scotia’s Ministry Candidates/Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Fund and FSLDW’s Learning Grants. Use the Tatamagouche Centre’s website to access the registration page. This is an educational event with a retreat component. It is also open to those who are not already LLWL’s and any wishing to explore the program to learn more about it. Hope to see you there!
Mini Music Matters for UCC EAST
Music Leaders are invited to a one-day conference Saturday Sept 30th at Knox United Church in Sackville – please click here to see the details of this event.
Please help us know how many people to expect please get your FREE tickets by clicking here. There is a complete schedule of the plan for the day on the Eventbrite listing.
For more information email musicucceast@gmail.com
2024 United Church Calendars
The 2024 United Church Calendar is now available for purchase. The cost is 1-9 $6.50 and 10 or more is $6.00. Please contact Leona at llaundry@united-church.ca to order. Only limited numbers in stock.
Stewardship Update
New Fall dates for the Stewardship Best Practices Program (bold). Read all about the program and how to register here: Stewardship Best Practices
Also, registration has opened for the Bequests and Estate Giving Program (bold), scheduled for October 11th and October 25th. See here for more information and a link to register: Estate and Bequest Giving
Any questions, contact Roger Janes (rjanes@united-church.ca).
Worship Resources
A series for worship, including a leader’s guide and ten gatherings rooted in scriptures that open us to reflection on how places shape us and our relationship to God. This series was originally and primarily focused on small gatherings that take place around a table where a meal is shared but they are being used in small more traditional worship gatherings. Everything is included for a simple worship time together. They are especially helpful for a self-led congregational worship.
Although the series moves from September through July/August, you can enter the stream anywhere, beginning with whatever suits your community.
You can purchase the series here and you can also view a sample.
Autumn Rambles Starting Soon
Join Caroline from New Zealand and Janice as they walk the streets, beaches, woods, and bush and collect their favourite autumn signs & sightings and share their memories of Autumn. Look in on the wisdom this season lends them in their journey of faith. Please click here to read more about Autumn Rambles.
Autumn Rambles is available for Individuals ($20) or Groups ($50 unlimited numbers). Visit the Prayer Bench for more information (and scroll down).
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.
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
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.
Job Opportunity – Regional Executive Minister – Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils
Please click here to read about this opportunity.
“Continue Caring” – Learn how to navigate home care and long-term care services in NS
MSVU is offering a unique educational opportunity to help Nova Scotians access the continuing care services they or their friends/family need. This program gives people who need home care or long-term care services, and the people who care about them, information about how the public system works in Nova Scotia. Click here for more information about this program.
