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.
President’s Advent Message
Please click here to read an Advent message from Elizabeth Stevenson, President of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council.
Join us during Advent
You are invited to join the Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee as we gather to light the Advent Candles each week during Advent. There will be time to reflect, pray, and join our hearts each week for just peace in Palestine and Israel. We will meet via zoom starting Wed, November 29th, and each Wednesday after, up to and including December 20th, at 8:00 p.m. AT, all are welcome.
For registration please click on link.
Annual Meeting 2024
The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Charlottetown, PE, on May 31-June 2 (the meeting will open on Friday at 8:45am). Check-in will open Thursday, May 30, starting at 6pm for those travelling on Thursday. We will also have a gathering space available Thursday evening from 6-10pm for those who wish to catch-up.
Youth@Region (Y@R) will also be taking place the same weekend at UPEI with the program starting Friday morning. There will be something planned for those youth who arrive Thursday evening. If you have questions about Y@R please contact Catherine Stuart. More information about Y@R will come out early in the new year.
When you complete your online registration please note that UPEI will be calling you to obtain your payment information to help with the congestion during check-in.
We will be providing a service for congregations to use the Sunday of Annual Meeting. This will be sent to congregations in early April.
More details to come early in the new year on the Annual Meeting web page.
Hello from FSLDW Region President Elizabeth
Sunday Dec 10, Humans Rights Day, I joined worship with Hampton United, Hampton, NB, birth place of John Humphreys author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The place was buzzing with activity as all ages gathered. Worship was led by Rev. Tori Mullins, choir and music director Janet Kidd. On behalf of all of you, I offered our gratitude for this important ministry. For pictures check out the FSLDW Facebook page.
Please click here to read the full Hello from FSLDW President Elizabeth.
Faithful Footprints Grant Webinar
Hosted by Faithful Footprints Prairies Regional Support Centre
When: December 15, 2023
Time: 1:00-2:00 CST – Check your local times
Location: Online – Click here for registration
The United Church of Canada‘s Faithful Footprints program offers inspiration, tools, and grants to help its communities of faith reduce their energy and carbon footprint. The program offers up to $30,000 in grants towards energy conservation and renewable energy projects (conditions apply).
Join us on December 15th at 1pm CST to explore how the grant program can help empower your community of faith to reduce the carbon and energy footprint of your faith building, while also supporting:
- Reduced environmental footprint
- Reduced building operational and maintenance costs
- Increased revenue potential from rental opportunities
- Enhanced comfortability and usage of building space
- Redirection of financial resources toward community programming
Key takeaways from this webinar:
- Gain an understanding of the Faithful Footprints program, its mission, and how it aligns with the church’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
- Become familiar with the grant application process, including eligibility criteria, and the steps involved in securing funding for retrofit projects.
Save the Date
Our next FSLDW Affirm Committee Webinar will be on January 17th at 3:00. We will gather to learn about Mental Health and Resiliency. More details to follow in the new year.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
How about a prayer walk? Maybe this is a new spiritual practice for you, or one your community of faith has not done recently? In prayer walks, we are mindfully present, aware, noticing, listening and seeking God’s guidance, paying attention to what we may have not seen before, or God is showing in new ways. We want to know what God is calling us to do and to be in this present moment and into our future. Over the course of several prayer walks, notice what God is showing you about your neighbourhood around your community of faith. Prayer walks might reveal needs, blessings, suffering, opportunities, hope, new life, new people, potential community partners, ideas for outreach, ways to collaborate and connect. Three or four people might walk with intention seeking God to show you what you need to see and connect with. Someone might take photos or videos for discussion. Observe changes since Covid. Those unable to physically join in the prayer walk, can hold the group walking in prayer and take part in gathering discussions after prayer walks. Prayer walking on different days and at different times might reveal different information. You can be creative to your context, perhaps having an additional prayer walk in which individually, you seek to chat with people you meet. Notice the signs of Christmas being observed. Consider adding a walk inviting a carol sing in your neighbourhood. Invite the neighbours to join in. Bring new energy and awareness by having prayer walks in the neighbourhood around your community of faith. Perhaps your context needs a prayer drive in the area between your multiple points? Neighbouring churches? Do you want to talk more? You can reach me by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca or by phone 705 875-8837. Let’s grow together with deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice.
Association of United Church Clergy
Your Association of United Church Clergy exists to help clergy thrive in ministry. We have some wonderful plans for 2024! To find our more and be added to the mailing list please email info@yoursanctuary.ca and include your name and email address. The aUCC wishes you and yours a blessed Advent and Christmas Season! Thanks for all you do!
Job Opportunity – Executive Director, Tatamagouche Centre
Tatamagouche Centre is seeking an Executive Director; For full details of the position, please click here. The closing date for applications is December 20, 2023.
Ministry of Supervision
The Certificate in Ministry of Supervision provides participants with the information and skills to mentor individuals preparing for ministry by equipping them for supervision including pastoral practices, leadership, reflection, feedback and spiritual guidance. It is designed for clergy and lay individuals who are interested in supporting students and communities for supervised ministry education (SME), internships and field education. PREREQUISITES: A minimum of five years of post-ordination or commissioning, experience in congregational ministry leadership OR equivalent lay leadership
Mark your Calendar Now!
The course will take place as a once a week intensive with three-hour synchronous class time on zoom each week. Here is the schedule — click the links to see the start times in each of Canada’s time zones:
Jan 11, 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Jan 18, 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Jan 25, 12:00 – 3:00pm ET
Feb 1, 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Feb 8, 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET
You can register at United in Learning or by clicking here.
For more information please contact Andrew Richardson.
Stewardship Update – December 2023
Please click here to read the Stewardship update.
Book a time to talk about stewardship
Are you thinking about year-end or wanting to make a stewardship plan for 2024? Would you like to talk about legacy giving to your congregation, but don’t know where to start? Do you have questions about growing giving to Mission & Service?
Roger Janes is your stewardship support person and is available to share resources, answer questions, or brainstorm with. Don’t know where to start? Book a phone or zoom conversation with Roger today using this link.
Job Posting for QML Camp Director
Camp-Quin-Mo-Lac, a United Church camp in southeastern Ontario, is currently seeking a new Camp Director, please click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Grief Radio – A Podcast About Grief
Grief Radio – A Podcast About Grief is a soon-to-be-launched podcast offering Support/Education/Links for training & research and upcoming events. It is being launched by Rev. Ian Smith, a retired, ordained United Church of Canada clergy person residing in Ontario and Dr. Vivianne LaRiviere, residing in Nova Scotia. To read the full details, please click here.
